Countdown to Las Vegas

Melissa Herndon

Melissa Herndon

Pro Player
Silver Member
OK, so now that I only have one day of work left...I am really starting to let myself look forward to this Vegas trip!

I won a local tourney on Tuesday night (that makes 2 weeks in a row), so I know I am playing with confidence right now...and I am feeling like a brand-new girl since I have stopped smoking and started working-out!

So, I just wanted to pop on and share my excitement with all of you! For any of you that will also be in Vegas, please come and say hello...I love meeting new people.

All in all, I think this is going to be a fantastic trip...full of fun, laughter, and good pool....and I am really looking forward to getting out there and "getting the party started."

See you all there!

Melissa
 
Good luck Melissa!


Melissa Herndon said:
OK, so now that I only have one day of work left...I am really starting to let myself look forward to this Vegas trip!

I won a local tourney on Tuesday night (that makes 2 weeks in a row), so I know I am playing with confidence right now...and I am feeling like a brand-new girl since I have stopped smoking and started working-out!

So, I just wanted to pop on and share my excitement with all of you! For any of you that will also be in Vegas, please come and say hello...I love meeting new people.

All in all, I think this is going to be a fantastic trip...full of fun, laughter, and good pool....and I am really looking forward to getting out there and "getting the party started."

See you all there!

Melissa
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We get into Vegas on Saturday night. And we will have 3 full days of being able to watch the pros before the amateur team event gets underway. Can't wait!!!

Mike
 
Melissa,

Good luck in Vegas. It sounds like you are in stroke.

My fiancee's APA ladies team finished high out there in August so I have fond memories of that place. Hopefully you will catch some of the good karma that they had.

A subject I have been meaning to bring up is regarding autographs and pictures. When is a good time for the fans to approach the players for an autograph or a picture or just to say hi? And what is the worst time? Is there any fan behavior that you have encountered in the past that bugged you, even though the fan may have had good intentions, just bad timing?

Thanks for your time,

Wally in Cincy
 
Wally, from my observations, most of the players are very obliging with autographs and pictures, other than right before a match.

I won't even mention during a match, to you, but I have seen some idiots ask. :confused: Anyone reading this should know, that is not acceptable.

After a hard loss, you may want to give them a few minutes to get their head straight, but I have seen many of the ladies treat the fans very kind, even at that time.

I have only seen one of the ladies refuse an autograph, and she was rushing to the table for a very hard match.
 
Thanks everyone for the good luck and good karma wishes!

Regarding autographs and photos, the best time to ask really depends on the player. I have seen some players pose for a picture just seconds before entering the arena....and other players blow off fans even though their matches won't be starting for 10 minutes. It will usually depend on the player's nature or mood. With me, you could approach me at any time and I would be happy to oblige....even if I am on my 5 minute break during a match. I do not understand why some of the players think that it is OK to be rude to a fan.

Since you can never predict a player's mood, you should approach a player at a time when they are not preparing for a match...just to be on the safe side. Also, try to put yourself in the player's shoes. If you had just lost a heartbreaking hill-hill match because you dogged the 9-ball.....you might not be in the mood to sign autographs right as you walk out of the arena.

So, if a player is rude to you...give them the benefit of the doubt...because maybe they just lost a match, or maybe they are really worried about an upcoming match....or whatever.

One last suggestion....you will find that the "up-and-coming" players are a lot more generous with their time than some of the more established players. So, pick a newer player and be her fan. In 10 years, she will be one of the "established" players that everyone knows....but she will remember that you supported her from the beginning...and you will have a friendship with that player...instead of just being another face in the crowd.

BTW...I have only had one bad experience with fans...and it happened at the 2nd tournament that I ever played in. A fan approached me to sign his WPBA Media Guide, but when he realized that my picture wasn't in the book, he changed his mind and told me to "keep trying" and then walked away. I was in shock...but then I realized he wasn't trying to rude...he just didn't know any better.

Melissa
 
Melissa Herndon said:
....A fan approached me to sign his WPBA Media Guide, but when he realized that my picture wasn't in the book, he changed his mind and told me to "keep trying" and then walked away. I was in shock...but then I realized he wasn't trying to rude...he just didn't know any better.

Melissa
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LOL

I can see it now. Dude walks up and says "Are you anybody important?" :D

I've only been to one WPBA tourney and I was pleasantly surprised to find out how nice everyone was to the fans. Well almost everybody. One certain lady seemed to not want to have much to do with the fans. She was about as approachable as a tornado :D . Maybe she was just having a bad day.

I'm sure you'll do well in Vegas. That place is like a second home to you SoCal folks isn't it.

Thanks Melissa,

Wally in Cincy
 
LOL Wally....

Subtle and clever....I love it!

As for Vegas being my second home....well, it is true that I feel very comfortable being in that atmosphere. And this is one of my favorite weeks of the year....so I am just looking forward to having a great time!

Melissa
 
Melissa Herndon said:
A fan approached me to sign his WPBA Media Guide, but when he realized that my picture wasn't in the book, he changed his mind and told me to "keep trying" and then walked away. I was in shock...but then I realized he wasn't trying to rude...he just didn't know any better.

Melissa
Click to expand...

Melissa,
Maybe I ran into this guy. I was lucky enough to get into an extended straight pool game with our local WPBA star at our local pool hall. She was frequently interrupted by autograph seekers. Two guys had driven several hours just to see her play, and after getting her autograph they came over to me and asked, "Hey, are you anybody?" I almost died laughing. I'm thinking pool fans may not be the most tactful in the sports world. Anyway, best of luck in Vegas, it sounds like you are getting in gear. Good luck kicking the cigarettes (its better than anything those doctors will ever do for you). I hope you are playing in Peoria this year, I would like to see you play.
 
Melissa, good luck in Vegas. And always remember even if you're not in the program, you're important or you wouldn't be in the tournament. You and Sarah have achieved professional status and that makes you part of the elite group. I hope someday you get asked by that guy again and happen to remember him. "Oh you want that autograph now huh". Just kidding. Willie, you should have told him " are you kidding, I'm Earl Strickland, the greatest player to ever live." { in disguise of course} Sam
 
Satman,
You are actually not too far off. At DCC this year I was fetching coffee and chatting with one of the players. Two guys came up to ask for her autograph. When they saw me they said, "We saw your match, you played great (I wasn't entered)." They wanted my autograph on their black and white DCC poster - I obliged by signing Willie Betmore (Scott Smith had been joke paging a Willie Betmore), the first time I used that name.
 
Good Luck & Congrats!

Mel,

D*mn girl, I'm so proud of you! I knew if I left town and quit draggin you down you'd make it! :~) Hey, if you're around San Antonio, TX this summer and want to wipe the floor with me again, let me know!

Take it easy and remember the crazy trips to Dana Point when you visit there. Don't forget to kick butt & take some names in Vegas!

Man, that's one trip we never did! We'll have to rectify that someday.

Michelle (formerly of Sherman Oaks)
 
Oh My Gosh!! It has been so long since I have heard from you! I had no idea where you were living or how you were!!!

I hope everything is going great for you and the boys. I do miss our crazy adventures...

I will definitely make a point of coming to San Antonio at some point in the future...and when I do, we will have ourselves a rollicking good time!

It's really great hearing from you! Miss you much...

Melissa
 
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