Berhmans letter American Pro Pool
- Thread starter CallShotCowboy
- Start date
Well, after reading his "letter", I am a bit troubled and confused. The letter begins by suggesting that US government involvement would be helpful. How? Our government has diminishing revenues and an increasing debt burden. Having the Feds come to pool's aid is highly unlikely, and, IMO, undesireable, as they would just as likely find a way to fund the tying of one's shoelaces for $2 million per shoe.
I do agree with finding corporate sponsorship. Diamond Billiards does promote events and this helps them expand their market. Brunswick and others should do the same, out of their own self interest.
Secondly, Behrman argues that players should stay out of the running of the sport. I'm fine with that, but why does he suggest naming a governing body "the American Professional Pool Players Association, A.P.P.P.A." Take out the word "Players" and maybe run with that.
I do agree that a new governing body is needed, as the WPA appears to do nothing to help the sport, save lining their own wallets. I can not comment on his suggestions for the membership of this leading entity, but I do hope that they have integrity, enthusiasm, vision and passion. If not, they will fail.
It would be nice if pool could organize itself. Probably unlikely though. Most, it would seem, would rather squabble over what remains of the crust rather than try to organize themselves and bake a new pie.
I do agree with finding corporate sponsorship. Diamond Billiards does promote events and this helps them expand their market. Brunswick and others should do the same, out of their own self interest.
Secondly, Behrman argues that players should stay out of the running of the sport. I'm fine with that, but why does he suggest naming a governing body "the American Professional Pool Players Association, A.P.P.P.A." Take out the word "Players" and maybe run with that.
I do agree that a new governing body is needed, as the WPA appears to do nothing to help the sport, save lining their own wallets. I can not comment on his suggestions for the membership of this leading entity, but I do hope that they have integrity, enthusiasm, vision and passion. If not, they will fail.
It would be nice if pool could organize itself. Probably unlikely though. Most, it would seem, would rather squabble over what remains of the crust rather than try to organize themselves and bake a new pie.
The industry and many within our industry have a total ''knee jerk'' reaction to anything involved with competition and how to reboot our sport. There have been so MANY gimmick type games, formats, products and such they all seem the same and in fact many are and don't address the ''underlying psyche'' of the industry at hand.
Sports such as, baseball/hockey/football/soccer etc are structured from early elementary school through to ones adult years. Without structure, you'll find near zero parents wanting to steer their offspring to our game, their reasoning is more ignorance than anything else.
Ironically, I called and talked with Barry this past week, he was so busy, he had time to listen, but not ''hear'' me. I don't blame him, he's just on a sinking ship, and its difficult to see land when you feel like your first concern is not to drown.
Sports such as, baseball/hockey/football/soccer etc are structured from early elementary school through to ones adult years. Without structure, you'll find near zero parents wanting to steer their offspring to our game, their reasoning is more ignorance than anything else.
Ironically, I called and talked with Barry this past week, he was so busy, he had time to listen, but not ''hear'' me. I don't blame him, he's just on a sinking ship, and its difficult to see land when you feel like your first concern is not to drown.
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What ever became of "Bonus Ball"?
Well, one has to wonder what the hell is the point of the BCA! I just checked their website here and they list ABSOLUTELY NOT ONE SINGLE TOURNAMENT OR EVENT FOR THIS MONTH OR THE ENTIRETY OF 2011. That's pretty sad if you ask me.
Time for a new chef in the kitchen...
I know how to fix pool. Pay players at the end of your tournament. 
I asked JA about that a couple months ago, & they're trying to put some more events together from what he said. Apparently they are also working on an amateur league.
I do wish them luck, but I also doubt that our sport needs new games to increase its popularity. Nothing is wrong with the current variants, IMO. Additionally, Bonus Ball is played with a unique ball set, no? How many folks will run out and buy an expensive new ball set to play an experimental game?
Seems to me that there is nothing wrong with using tried and true 8 ball, which everyone around the world seems to understand and enjoy.
jalapus logan...Either you don't read much here, or you're just fooling yourself. The BCA is a manufacturer's trade organization. They have nothing to do with putting on tournaments...and no $$$ to do so, if they did. Those of you who love to bash the BCA should find another "dog" to kick. Now the WPA, which IS responsible for sanctioning and putting on tournaments seems a likely choice here.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I agree with Scott Lee here. The reorganization of the BCA a few years ago was designed to get rid of any participation with pool players...as a result, the BCAPL was formed ( and subsequently the ACS as well). They concentrate on the pool equipment suppliers now, not the players. Maybe a new name is in order.
L8R...Ken
L8R...Ken
That letter is a direct contradiction of what the players said (http://www.youtube.com/user/InsidePOOLmag#p/search/0/GUs5PlM1inU). I am sure both parties have strong assets that they bring to the industry and it is unfortunate to see a division between groups. Cooperation would help.
In one case the players want to take on more responsibility and be involved. In another case a promoter wants to be recognized as more than a promoter but an industry changer by creating another organization for players. The industry changer icon is a little late, Trudeau put out the internet exposure, the magazine exposure, the cable exposure and elevated the prize money every aspect of Trudeau's operation brought pool as a marketable industry to a peak unknown before.
Barry has interesting ideas about how government involvement helps pool as an industry in other countries. The players have interesting ideas about how they define themselves as independent contractors that work pool tournaments. The plethora of fresh ideas are there but there is conflict about what should be done and what can done next.
As long as people keep tossing ideas out there it can't hurt.
For the players they are the people on the road, they attract crowds, they work the hard hours during tournaments and they have to keep their game sharp. The promoters plan, get investors and give players a place to showcase their skills. The players are old enough and have seen enough to know what works for them and what doesn't work for them. The only thing that hasn't happen is the players haven't made requests or demands on promoters or organizers, if they do I hear they get shut down pretty fast.
In one case the players want to take on more responsibility and be involved. In another case a promoter wants to be recognized as more than a promoter but an industry changer by creating another organization for players. The industry changer icon is a little late, Trudeau put out the internet exposure, the magazine exposure, the cable exposure and elevated the prize money every aspect of Trudeau's operation brought pool as a marketable industry to a peak unknown before.
Barry has interesting ideas about how government involvement helps pool as an industry in other countries. The players have interesting ideas about how they define themselves as independent contractors that work pool tournaments. The plethora of fresh ideas are there but there is conflict about what should be done and what can done next.
As long as people keep tossing ideas out there it can't hurt.
For the players they are the people on the road, they attract crowds, they work the hard hours during tournaments and they have to keep their game sharp. The promoters plan, get investors and give players a place to showcase their skills. The players are old enough and have seen enough to know what works for them and what doesn't work for them. The only thing that hasn't happen is the players haven't made requests or demands on promoters or organizers, if they do I hear they get shut down pretty fast.
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Well, I'm sure that you are more knowledgeable than me as an instructor, but can you explain to me why they have this link and others as part of their website??? Just for show?
Look, I am a PAYING fan and avid player of the sport (I've paid for instruction as well in the past as well). All I want to see from this perspective is some coherence within the industry that promotes the sport in a meaningful way. If that is not the BCA, then to hell with them. I doubt that Diamond needs their blessing to continue to proliferate. Brunswick, while fat and happy selling shoddy tables to people who don't play and don't care anyway, probably is a member, which is fine.
Like I said, here I am, waving dollar bills in my hand just itching to pay it out to a worthy org with a worthy value proposition. When I look around, I don't see anybody worth paying. I guess to hell with it and them as well...
jalapus logan...I don't see anything out of line on that link. It's an informational site. Nowhere does it mention that the BCA does anything with league pool or tournament play. This has been mentioned many times before. In the past, things were different...they are not that way now. BTW, the BCA Trade Show is an industry show, not geared to (nor open to) the public.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
One last thought here. I have no interest in kicking any dog. I do have an interest in promoting the sport. I think that Berry is right and it is time to begin to discuss alternatives to the WPA and any other existing entity. It seems to me that some Phoenix needs to rise from the smoldering ashes of what remains of pooldom. Of course, given what I have read here, pool players and other agents may likely shoot the Phoenix out of the sky before anything meaningful is able to take shape. I sincerely hope that does not happen.
I spoke to Barry a couple times this week, he made lots of valid points. Its a mess was probably his strongest and most correct assertion. And I happen to agree with him. Its pretty clear he is right. There are regional tours that are good for pool. Some leagues are good for pool-others cater to drunks.
Instead of looking at the problems(we all know what they are-if your hip to pool that is); Looking for solutions is where the action is.
Barry and I talked about what they did for bowling-Get Netflix for $9.95/mo and watch the documentary on your computer, it streams just fine. Three retired microsoft computer geeks put up $5M total and reformatted it so it wasnt dry with Chris Schencle whispering into the microphone "He needs this spare to win the Akron open". They jazzed it up. All it took was $$$.
KT had it right he posted up $$$, but he lost his income side of his plan with the UIGEA law. See in Every business there are 2 sides income and expenses. And pool events are nothing more than businesses. Think the Derby isnt a 9 day long business every year? It sure as hell aint charity or because Greg is board. He busts his ass to put together 9/365 days to make a buck, nothing wrong with that. KT needed online gaming advertising $$$ to be the income side of the business. When he lost that, we all lost.
I'm not in the spot I was 3 years ago, so I cant go out there with 5 million to start up something. But at the end of the day $$$ is the only solution, the rest is hot air and bullshit.
Best
Eric
Instead of looking at the problems(we all know what they are-if your hip to pool that is); Looking for solutions is where the action is.
Barry and I talked about what they did for bowling-Get Netflix for $9.95/mo and watch the documentary on your computer, it streams just fine. Three retired microsoft computer geeks put up $5M total and reformatted it so it wasnt dry with Chris Schencle whispering into the microphone "He needs this spare to win the Akron open". They jazzed it up. All it took was $$$.
KT had it right he posted up $$$, but he lost his income side of his plan with the UIGEA law. See in Every business there are 2 sides income and expenses. And pool events are nothing more than businesses. Think the Derby isnt a 9 day long business every year? It sure as hell aint charity or because Greg is board. He busts his ass to put together 9/365 days to make a buck, nothing wrong with that. KT needed online gaming advertising $$$ to be the income side of the business. When he lost that, we all lost.
I'm not in the spot I was 3 years ago, so I cant go out there with 5 million to start up something. But at the end of the day $$$ is the only solution, the rest is hot air and bullshit.
Best
Eric
Ok, I lied. I have another thought (wow, three in one day, amazing!). How is it NOT in the manufacturer's interest to promote the activity that is played on the tables they produce? It does not take much thought to realize that if you INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE PIE, THEN EVERYONE CAN GET A LARGER SLICE! Seriously, doesn't more pool players = more table sales?
Jesus, sometimes I wish I would have taken up tennis...
I've known Barry for over 30 years now. We worked together at the Caesars Atlantic City event put on by Richie Florence in 1985 (Sigel won - 15K!). And I first attended the Open the following year in 1986, spending time with Martin Scorcese and Tom Cruise there. So we go back a long ways.
The truth of the matter is that Barry and I have had our conflicts over the years and always managed to work them out somehow, as friends will do. This is my second stint as his TD, the first being in the 90's. Again I don't always agree with Barry on everything, but there is a reason I keep coming back to Norfolk and the Open. It remains the most important pool tournament in America!
If we had twelve Barry Behrman's in this country there would be a pro pool tour. Enough said!
The truth of the matter is that Barry and I have had our conflicts over the years and always managed to work them out somehow, as friends will do. This is my second stint as his TD, the first being in the 90's. Again I don't always agree with Barry on everything, but there is a reason I keep coming back to Norfolk and the Open. It remains the most important pool tournament in America!
If we had twelve Barry Behrman's in this country there would be a pro pool tour. Enough said!