Bonus Ball - Thoughts After It All...

Fast Lenny

Fast Lenny

Faster Than You...
Silver Member
Bonus Ball was a great game, very interesting but not sure it was quite right to stand on its own and make it with the masses. I think the team aspect, shot clock, arena and production were great along with the players being mic'd and commentary. I do think the teams should have been playing a set of each such as 8 ball, Bonus Ball then either 9 or 10 ball so fans could get introduced to the game slowly but still have the other games they know and love being played under a team format to enjoy.

Perhaps they have someone who is trying to get all of the footage and first season on sports channels worldwide, I am sure many countries in Asia might take the footage and play it if given it for free. I would think worldwide you could generate viewership in the millions on the re-run of it and maybe draw some sponsors for it. What it comes down to is numbers and that would equate to dollars from sponsors. It is a long shot but you never know if something could take hold.

For those who do not think that the players did not enjoy the game or were just there for a paycheck you are wrong, I believe most really loved the game and believed we could make it happen. There were some players and I mean very few who were just there for a paycheck and all of the players and crew knew who they were. Lots of errors were made along the way and it was quite the learning experience. I do hope something comes along, we know the players will get behind it and that was the great thing about Bonus Ball is it showed the players can come together and stand strongly behind something.

I really learned a good deal about many things in the billiard industry and some life lessons too. I got to meet many great people who I hope to have life long relationships with and to me that coupled with the experiences were something you cannot put a price on. I do hope something else comes along, maybe take some of the things that Bonus Ball did right and learn from the mistakes made at the expense of the investors, crew and players. Thanks to those fans who did support it.

P.S. I will be having an announcement to make in about a week concerning a program to better the game and hope those of you will get behind it as I guarantee it will help to grow the game. I will need some help with it. :thumbup:








 
Last edited:
Straightpool_99 said:
I've said everything I want to say about the game and the business plan in other threads. I must admit however, that I was entertained by some of the bonus ball footage, especially Thorstens high run. Maybe someone can sell it to a TV station for small change, and maybe have a small income from selling some sort of souvenirs, score keeping apps etc. Maybe not enough to make real money, but some. It is not completely impossible that a small cult following could be created, at least the production was of a high technical quality, and some of the play was spectacular. Mainstream? Forget it.
Click to expand...

Maybe not mainstream in the US but possibly in other countries especially all over Asia as pool is popular there and does not have the bigger sports to compete with like here in the states. I don't think they should sell the first season of footage but just give it away to whoever will take it, then compile all the worldwide viewing numbers and see what they can do sponsor wise to do something again or just see the worldwide interest of it if any.
 
It was very close to what I've been preaching for years. The only thing bad about it besides attitudes was the game itself. Imagine doing the same format and production with standard games.
Another thing that would add to it is make the set to where it can travel and be set up in different venues around the country.
Chuck


Sent from my iPhone
Any spelling errors I'm blaming on autocorrect :)
 
Chuck Fields said:
It was very close to what I've been preaching for years. The only thing bad about it besides attitudes was the game itself. Imagine doing the same format and production with standard games.
Another thing that would add to it is make the set to where it can travel and be set up in different venues around the country.
Chuck


Sent from my iPhone
Any spelling errors I'm blaming on autocorrect :)
Click to expand...

That is why I believe strongly then and now that having the team format with 8 ball as the opener, Bonus Ball in the middle and 9 or 10 ball for the last set would have been more interesting and better received.
 
Thanks Lenny , for all that you did with the game and to the others who put their effort into bringing pool to the masses, I'm sorry it didn't work out.
 
I agree with your approach to mix BB with other games. Also strongly agree that the team concept really adds a dimension of excitement to the game, which pool really needs IMO. Also agree with the hot chicks.

Hope you are met with success with your next project.

Cheers and best of luck.
 
On The Rail, Pool Action TV, and others shine a light into what is otherwise a dark place right now. Much appreciated.
 
Fast Lenny said:
Bonus Ball was a great game, very interesting but not sure it was quite right to stand on its own and make it with the masses. I think the team aspect, shot clock, arena and production were great along with the players being mic'd and commentary. I do think the teams should have been playing a set of each such as 8 ball, Bonus Ball then either 9 or 10 ball so fans could get introduced to the game slowly but still have the other games they know and love being played under a team format to enjoy.

Perhaps they have someone who is trying to get all of the footage and first season on sports channels worldwide, I am sure many countries in Asia might take the footage and play it if given it for free. I would think worldwide you could generate viewership in the millions on the re-run of it and maybe draw some sponsors for it. What it comes down to is numbers and that would equate to dollars from sponsors. It is a long shot but you never know if something could take hold.

For those who do not think that the players did not enjoy the game or were just there for a paycheck you are wrong, I believe most really loved the game and believed we could make it happen. There were some players and I mean very few who were just there for a paycheck and all of the players and crew knew who they were. Lots of errors were made along the way and it was quite the learning experience. I do hope something comes along, we know the players will get behind it and that was the great thing about Bonus Ball is it showed the players can come together and stand strongly behind something.

I really learned a good deal about many things in the billiard industry and some life lessons too. I got to meet many great people who I hope to have life long relationships with and to me that coupled with the experiences were something you cannot put a price on. I do hope something else comes along, maybe take some of the things that Bonus Ball did right and learn from the mistakes made at the expense of the investors, crew and players. Thanks to those fans who did support it.

P.S. I will be having an announcement to make in about a week concerning a program to better the game and hope those of you will get behind it as I guarantee it will help to grow the game. I will need some help with it. :thumbup:








Click to expand...

If the players loved the game
How come no one ever matches up at it
 
real bartram said:
If the players loved the game
How come no one ever matches up at it
Click to expand...

One would need a shot clock and the special set of balls.

From the perspective of a fan, I was skeptical about the game initially, but I really warmed up to it over time. Shame it never had a second season
 
real bartram said:
If the players loved the game
How come no one ever matches up at it
Click to expand...

Too much back and forth... I doubt you can dominate your opponent even in dead punch without the ball cooperating so it would be a very hard game to match up with... Several of the pros have said they did like it because it was a change of pace.. I even enjoyed watching it as something different...

But to the chances of it being shown in Asia..... ESPN Star is still showing as much pool as they can and the production quality is there.. Lenny if you are reading this you need to have them talk to David Thompson and see if there is a window there... He will want some skin to get them in the game and rightly so as ESPN Star may be harder to make contacts with than reguar old ESPN..... Asians seem to be more analytical than us westerners but I may be speaking out of stereotypes... I am all for anything that will help the players and I can get you in touch with David if you don't have his info... I still am not happy with what went down regarding Ultimate 10ball and Tunica but you can only hold grudges and throw stones for so long... I would like to think BB and company would be a little more open to working with and not against established promoters if they get a 2nd chance....

Chris
 
The Renfro said:
Too much back and forth... I doubt you can dominate your opponent even in dead punch without the ball cooperating so it would be a very hard game to match up with... Several of the pros have said they did like it because it was a change of pace.. I even enjoyed watching it as something different...

But to the chances of it being shown in Asia..... ESPN Star is still showing as much pool as they can and the production quality is there.. Lenny if you are reading this you need to have them talk to David Thompson and see if there is a window there... He will want some skin to get them in the game and rightly so as ESPN Star may be harder to make contacts with than reguar old ESPN..... Asians seem to be more analytical than us westerners but I may be speaking out of stereotypes... I am all for anything that will help the players and I can get you in touch with David if you don't have his info... I still am not happy with what went down regarding Ultimate 10ball and Tunica but you can only hold grudges and throw stones for so long... I would like to think BB and company would be a little more open to working with and not against established promoters if they get a 2nd chance....

Chris
Click to expand...

We all know the pros really didn't love this game
Come on guys be real
 
Having been a defender of the IPT when the entire forum hated it, I empathize with the Bonus Ball supporters' stance to defend Bonus Ball to the nth degree. What bothered me the most, however was how mean-spirited. some of the Bonus Ball defenders were to some of their friends on this forum in some of their writings.

As far as the Bonus Ball players, I don't blame them one bit for going where the money is. I would have done the same thing.

There is, it would seem, no loyalty in pool, as we have now all witnessed. I feel bad for the pool promoters who have been in this industry for many years, supporting professional pool, which we all know it's a dead fish in the water and never has been a money-maker. Nobody seemed to give a damn about them, to include the Bonus Ball players and the Bonus Ball defenders.

Hey, we all have to do what is best for us when it comes to making money to survive. I get that, but I didn't like it when the Bonus Ball defenders came on this forum and lashed out at other members, some of whom were supposed to be friends.

That's all I have to say about it. Personally, I thought the game sucked a big weenie.
 
And another thing, all this Top Secret crap and "everything stays in Vegas" nonsense is getting old. If you don't want to share what's happening, then save it. Don't come on this forum with a little teaser and say there's more to come at a later time, leaving us all hanging. Either spill the beans or keep it to yourself. Nobody likes to be taunted. This past Mosconi Cup aftermath, all the so-called "secrets," on this forum was stupid, to give one example. It was more Eddie Murphy's "I got my ice cream" saga. Gimme a break.
 
westcoast said:
One would need a shot clock and the special set of balls.

From the perspective of a fan, I was skeptical about the game initially, but I really warmed up to it over time. Shame it never had a second season
Click to expand...

Stripes, solids and an 8 ball work just fine for the game. And phones have clocks and timers.
IMO they had a good grasp on how to make something with flashy looks that gets peoples attention. If they wouldnt have tried to create a new game it might have had more of a following IMO. Nobody can say one way or the other of course, but I think they were on the right track with everything else.
Chuck
 
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