I was at the Bonus Ball arena this weekend as well as, at the last TAR match.
Here's my 2 cents on the whole BB experience:
1. Bonus Ball is a good game. It just took me about 6 times to watch it to really understand it and to actually take an interest. This might not be good if they are trying to build and keep an audience. I think too, that it also took time for the teams to really get used to the format of the game and understand how to flow communication to each other. Now that they are all tightly tuned in to the game and we are not trying to understand their confusion and mistakes, the spectator can experience the game more naturally as well.
2. I had a good time! The playoffs are underway and I had a really good time watching the event. The production is a lot tighter. Michaela Tabb is 10,000 times better than Lee Brett as a referee because she is engaging and doesn't make any errors. She also is not trying to steal the show and provides a valuable service to both teams, which is much needed. Also, now that I know what the shots are and I can even see alternative shots, I'm beginning to feel like I'm watching a one-pocket match with bells and whistles. The players had a lot of intensity. I quickly decided who I liked, didn't like and I began routing for my players. I did not like one of the captain's treatment of his teammates and maybe this helped me route a little more for the other team. Be that as it may, that's definitely one part of the formula which works.
3. The arena was high energy before and after the event. After I watched Hatch win the 'sudden' death shootout against Frost. Everyone convened and hung out in the lobby and shot the s@@t with each other. The winners were excited and they weren't just thinking about the money. You could tell these guys were starting to feel that this could very well be a professional journey for them as players with a chance to triumph, be recognized and also be respected.
I can see it in these players' eyes. They are clinging to a dream of becoming successful, professional pool stars. Bonus Ball is offering them a glimpse of that future. More so than the IPT did, because the players have overcome some of the upstart problems of this organization and know that Larry honestly trying to do the right thing.
Who are we to say that they can't chase that dream? Who are we to say that they are not feeling it?
There are just way too many opinions on this game to count, it makes me wonder, how could this game NOT become something strong. It's obviously got a lot of feathers ruffled.
I am not going to engage in the argument that Bonus Ball has pissed off this or that organization and ruined certain events for certain bodies. In the end, whether Bonus Ball carries on or not, (which I think it will), it's ultimately the players who drive the industry. That being said, if Chiborak can't save Bonus Ball by himself, I guarantee you that you're going to see a handful of players do what they can to help him keep Bonus Ball alive.
That's my take on it!
Hats Off~
Keep Loving Pool!
Here's my 2 cents on the whole BB experience:
1. Bonus Ball is a good game. It just took me about 6 times to watch it to really understand it and to actually take an interest. This might not be good if they are trying to build and keep an audience. I think too, that it also took time for the teams to really get used to the format of the game and understand how to flow communication to each other. Now that they are all tightly tuned in to the game and we are not trying to understand their confusion and mistakes, the spectator can experience the game more naturally as well.
2. I had a good time! The playoffs are underway and I had a really good time watching the event. The production is a lot tighter. Michaela Tabb is 10,000 times better than Lee Brett as a referee because she is engaging and doesn't make any errors. She also is not trying to steal the show and provides a valuable service to both teams, which is much needed. Also, now that I know what the shots are and I can even see alternative shots, I'm beginning to feel like I'm watching a one-pocket match with bells and whistles. The players had a lot of intensity. I quickly decided who I liked, didn't like and I began routing for my players. I did not like one of the captain's treatment of his teammates and maybe this helped me route a little more for the other team. Be that as it may, that's definitely one part of the formula which works.
3. The arena was high energy before and after the event. After I watched Hatch win the 'sudden' death shootout against Frost. Everyone convened and hung out in the lobby and shot the s@@t with each other. The winners were excited and they weren't just thinking about the money. You could tell these guys were starting to feel that this could very well be a professional journey for them as players with a chance to triumph, be recognized and also be respected.
I can see it in these players' eyes. They are clinging to a dream of becoming successful, professional pool stars. Bonus Ball is offering them a glimpse of that future. More so than the IPT did, because the players have overcome some of the upstart problems of this organization and know that Larry honestly trying to do the right thing.
Who are we to say that they can't chase that dream? Who are we to say that they are not feeling it?
There are just way too many opinions on this game to count, it makes me wonder, how could this game NOT become something strong. It's obviously got a lot of feathers ruffled.
I am not going to engage in the argument that Bonus Ball has pissed off this or that organization and ruined certain events for certain bodies. In the end, whether Bonus Ball carries on or not, (which I think it will), it's ultimately the players who drive the industry. That being said, if Chiborak can't save Bonus Ball by himself, I guarantee you that you're going to see a handful of players do what they can to help him keep Bonus Ball alive.
That's my take on it!
Hats Off~
Keep Loving Pool!
