jim johnston
New member
Earl has been banned from the July 16 player invitational based on his potential.behavior issues.
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CSI 16 player invitational
- Thread starter jim johnston
- Start date
Here is an example:
Everyone loves me and I'm the life of the party. Therefore I always get an invite. The problem is that everytime I come over I act like an azz and pee on the carpet. Thus you stop inviting me.
Answer:
Mark doesn't like bringing people over that pee on the carpet. You not coming because I'm not allowed doesn't change a thing.
It's Mark's party.
Nick
Everyone loves me and I'm the life of the party. Therefore I always get an invite. The problem is that everytime I come over I act like an azz and pee on the carpet. Thus you stop inviting me.
Answer:
Mark doesn't like bringing people over that pee on the carpet. You not coming because I'm not allowed doesn't change a thing.
It's Mark's party.
Nick
You say charisma, I say a$$hole.
Jim, Please get your facts straight. You asked me a question and I thought I gave you a pretty solid answer. I did not say Earl was Banned. Here is our correspondence from May 7th.
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Jim,
First of all thanks for your letter. I appreciate your thoughts.
Earl was discussed several times in this office. One of our criteria was professional behavior. Earl is an exceptional player – however we cannot tolerate the type of behavior he has shown in the past. Since this is only 16 invited players, it could have disastrous results if we did have to DQ any player for unsportsmanlike behavior or similar.
Our event has 16 of the TOP players in the world! It is a round robin format (4 groups of 4). It is not about our ticket sales. In fact we only have about 40 seats for sale – all the rest is FREE.
It is unfortunate we could not invite Earl – and we might be able to in the future – but not in this first year. Sorry but it is just not about ticket sales. It is about respecting the game and all aspects of the game – including the sponsors, spectators, promoters and opponents. If we had invited Earl, we would have been subject to a lot of criticism – and rightfully so.
I am not going to apologize for what we had to do. Earl has caused his own problems and he can solve them. He is a great player and does draw the most spectators – but many of them are just there to see the crash (just like Nascar) That is not what we are about.
I hope you reconsider – there are only 2 tables involved – and one will have every match streamed. In addition, we have 3 challenge matches scheduled that have pool fans everywhere drooling. SVB vs Ko Pin Yi – has created a huge buzz. Efren & Bustamante vs Dechaine and Corey Deuel will be pretty interesting also. There is no other place in the world you will be able to view this type of match. No one player is bigger than the game. We are very happy with the field we have put together and we expect some epic matches.
Respectfully,
Mark Griffin (702) 719-7665 phone
Chief Executive Officer (702) 307-1609 fax
CueSports International BCA Pool League ~ www.playbca.com
2041 Pabco Road USA Pool League ~ www.playusapool.com
Henderson, NV 89011 CSI events ~ www.playcsipool.com
CSI … More Choices For All Players
From: Jim Johnston [mailto:jimljohnston@adelphia.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 4:12 PM
To: Mark Griffin
Subject: csi invitational
Dear Mark...planned on attending your event..always get vip seats..enjoyed us open 10 ball, but CSI invitational should be good...one huge missing link..Earl...we all know his behavior can be questionable, but his accomplishments are exceeded by no player....Earl is entertaining..he fills the room...contrasted with SVB who is a great player, but totally lacks any charisma. I was waiting to see if Earl would be there before i ordered my tickets. If he is not included i will not come...i want to be entertained.
i attended a derby city about 7 years ago and Earl wasn't there...father has just passed away. it was the talk of the whole tournament all week long...just wasnt the same and wasnt as good.
hope you can rethink that...a referee...which there should be, with the ability to penalize and or forfeit a player would solve the conduct problem, just like it does in the world championships.
i think your ticket sales will be significantly affected negatively without Earl
thank you
a loyal fan
Jim Johnston
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Jim,
First of all thanks for your letter. I appreciate your thoughts.
Earl was discussed several times in this office. One of our criteria was professional behavior. Earl is an exceptional player – however we cannot tolerate the type of behavior he has shown in the past. Since this is only 16 invited players, it could have disastrous results if we did have to DQ any player for unsportsmanlike behavior or similar.
Our event has 16 of the TOP players in the world! It is a round robin format (4 groups of 4). It is not about our ticket sales. In fact we only have about 40 seats for sale – all the rest is FREE.
It is unfortunate we could not invite Earl – and we might be able to in the future – but not in this first year. Sorry but it is just not about ticket sales. It is about respecting the game and all aspects of the game – including the sponsors, spectators, promoters and opponents. If we had invited Earl, we would have been subject to a lot of criticism – and rightfully so.
I am not going to apologize for what we had to do. Earl has caused his own problems and he can solve them. He is a great player and does draw the most spectators – but many of them are just there to see the crash (just like Nascar) That is not what we are about.
I hope you reconsider – there are only 2 tables involved – and one will have every match streamed. In addition, we have 3 challenge matches scheduled that have pool fans everywhere drooling. SVB vs Ko Pin Yi – has created a huge buzz. Efren & Bustamante vs Dechaine and Corey Deuel will be pretty interesting also. There is no other place in the world you will be able to view this type of match. No one player is bigger than the game. We are very happy with the field we have put together and we expect some epic matches.
Respectfully,
Mark Griffin (702) 719-7665 phone
Chief Executive Officer (702) 307-1609 fax
CueSports International BCA Pool League ~ www.playbca.com
2041 Pabco Road USA Pool League ~ www.playusapool.com
Henderson, NV 89011 CSI events ~ www.playcsipool.com
CSI … More Choices For All Players
From: Jim Johnston [mailto:jimljohnston@adelphia.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 4:12 PM
To: Mark Griffin
Subject: csi invitational
Dear Mark...planned on attending your event..always get vip seats..enjoyed us open 10 ball, but CSI invitational should be good...one huge missing link..Earl...we all know his behavior can be questionable, but his accomplishments are exceeded by no player....Earl is entertaining..he fills the room...contrasted with SVB who is a great player, but totally lacks any charisma. I was waiting to see if Earl would be there before i ordered my tickets. If he is not included i will not come...i want to be entertained.
i attended a derby city about 7 years ago and Earl wasn't there...father has just passed away. it was the talk of the whole tournament all week long...just wasnt the same and wasnt as good.
hope you can rethink that...a referee...which there should be, with the ability to penalize and or forfeit a player would solve the conduct problem, just like it does in the world championships.
i think your ticket sales will be significantly affected negatively without Earl
thank you
a loyal fan
Jim Johnston
One Stroke,
I'm not real sure what your problem with CSI is but I sent you a PM the other day encouraging you to call me. I see you would rather 'snipe' at us.
That is fine - it is a free country - but you are starting to look foolish.
Perhaps you can tell everybody 'what you have done to promote and better the game'??
Mark Griffin
t
I'm not real sure what your problem with CSI is but I sent you a PM the other day encouraging you to call me. I see you would rather 'snipe' at us.
That is fine - it is a free country - but you are starting to look foolish.
Perhaps you can tell everybody 'what you have done to promote and better the game'??
Mark Griffin
t
Their experts in knowing what's good for pool
1
Yes and then the other member of the 3rd Reich sent me a pm ,,
I personally don't like some of the things your doing banning players
Cutting down fields making them invitation only and the attitude of we will continue to do what's best pool ,,
Yes this is a free country and more importantly this is a open free forum not one where you get points for who does the most for pool
1
Mark - There's another thread here with a long video of various matches between Mosconi and Minnesota Fats. It's amazing to watch the audience: They're all smiles and laughs, enjoying watching the blowhard Fats get under the stodgy Mosconi's skin.
I know Earl has a mean edge whereas Fats was always funny and entertaining. But I hope when you consider who to invite in the future, you keep in mind that people love to watch personalities, even (especially?) the bad guy personalities. Please consider how entertaining the players are when you make your invitations!
I know Earl has a mean edge whereas Fats was always funny and entertaining. But I hope when you consider who to invite in the future, you keep in mind that people love to watch personalities, even (especially?) the bad guy personalities. Please consider how entertaining the players are when you make your invitations!
Tell you what.
You pay for bringing out the 16 more tables (that is one 53' truck round trip - plus pay for hanging the lights and maybe we will open up the fields). That will be in the range of $15,000. If you paid some of the bills maybe you would know what some of the expenses are!
By the way - please tell me which players CSI has banned. Do you even know? Or are you another one that just repeats what the rumors say.
Mark Griffin
You pay for bringing out the 16 more tables (that is one 53' truck round trip - plus pay for hanging the lights and maybe we will open up the fields). That will be in the range of $15,000. If you paid some of the bills maybe you would know what some of the expenses are!
By the way - please tell me which players CSI has banned. Do you even know? Or are you another one that just repeats what the rumors say.
Mark Griffin
BRussell,
It is unfortunate we could not invite Earl – and we might be able to in the future – but not in this first year. That is what I wrote to Mr. Johnston - but he read it as 'Earl was banned'.
I love watching Earl - but he needs to get a handle on things. In an invitational (especially round robin flights) one forfeiture can throw the whole event out of kilter. Earl might even get worse if he thinks he cant be tossed - and I could not afford that kind of situation in our inaugural event.
I do appreciate your approach on discussing the issues. Reasoning gets a lot further than complaining and bad attitudes.
Mark Griffin
BTW - is this the Brian Russell from Focused Apparel?
It is unfortunate we could not invite Earl – and we might be able to in the future – but not in this first year. That is what I wrote to Mr. Johnston - but he read it as 'Earl was banned'.
I love watching Earl - but he needs to get a handle on things. In an invitational (especially round robin flights) one forfeiture can throw the whole event out of kilter. Earl might even get worse if he thinks he cant be tossed - and I could not afford that kind of situation in our inaugural event.
I do appreciate your approach on discussing the issues. Reasoning gets a lot further than complaining and bad attitudes.
Mark Griffin
BTW - is this the Brian Russell from Focused Apparel?
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I don't see what the problem is about. If it is about Earl being such a big draw, start a tournament of your own and invite Earl make all the money from gate receipts and make yourself the arbiter of what is right for pool. Why complain about a situation that you KNOW is a losing financial proposition? Act on your knowledge.
I, for one, believe that's what is missing from pool. People only talk and not put their words to action. Leaders lead from the front...not from an online forum chat.
Respect the people that are willing to step up and take the risk of putting their words to action (it's no different than gambling, don't knock the guy from the rail...he had the balls to step up). Anything else is just .... blah, blah, blah.
Daren, who would love to see Earl play in your tournament. I will do what I can to attend, if you see the opportunity to make it happen.
Respect, Courage, and Commitment!
I, for one, believe that's what is missing from pool. People only talk and not put their words to action. Leaders lead from the front...not from an online forum chat.
Respect the people that are willing to step up and take the risk of putting their words to action (it's no different than gambling, don't knock the guy from the rail...he had the balls to step up). Anything else is just .... blah, blah, blah.
Daren, who would love to see Earl play in your tournament. I will do what I can to attend, if you see the opportunity to make it happen.
Respect, Courage, and Commitment!
Rodney Morris
That's only from open event , invitation only allows the exclusions of anyone you don't like or worried about behavior such as Earl in this event
That's right it's your money to do what you want ,, that does not mean everyone has to like it
1
There is so much you are missing. Bottom line is that Mark and some others think one direction is better for pool. You and some others think another direction is better for pool. Ask yourself this honestly. If you were putting on events with your own money that cost tens of thousands of dollars to put on, and wanted to grow the sport and do what is best for it because that is how you make your money and you have everything to gain by it growing, would you do what you thought was best for pool, or what somebody else thought was best for pool and that you totally disagreed with? It really could not get any more simple. If you are putting up tens of thousands of your own money, you are going to do what you feel is best. And you don't have to agree that he is right about what is best, but you damn sure have to agree that he should be doing what he thinks is best with his own money.
And instead of looking at this as missing out on banned players, did you ever consider that this could mean that you actually get to see more of those banned players in the future? Because some of them may actually come around and get their act together and never give anyone a reason to not want them in their events in the future. And if this cleaning up pool model is in fact good for pool, and helps it grow a little bit (which we don't know if it will but it is possible--we know not cleaning it up sure hasn't worked very well) then that is even more that you will see them because there will also be more tournaments and things too.
I say give it a chance and lets find out, it is not like we have much to lose (it's not like there is some great and successful tour or anything). And whether you agree with CSI's feelings about what they feel is best for pool or not, you have to respect that he is going to do what he feels is best with his own money just like you would do what you felt was best if you were putting up your money.
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Nice to see you respond.
As you probably know, Rodney's issue is far different than anyone else.
And in all honestly, I don't believe you have the inclination to really help be part of a solution. I usually try to communicate with people and explain why we do the things we do. But in your case I think it will be a waste of time. I don't believe you will ever want to agree on anything we do because you are blinded by emotions - and possibly ignorance.
It really makes little difference. I am tired of the 'snipers' and you are gonna do what you do regardless of what we do.
So you go right ahead - march on down the road and we will do the same. Then we'll see who has accomplished the most and who has complained the most.
Wanna guess how it will turn out.?
Mark Griffin
(BTW - I will not get into any debates with anonymous posters).
b
As you probably know, Rodney's issue is far different than anyone else.
And in all honestly, I don't believe you have the inclination to really help be part of a solution. I usually try to communicate with people and explain why we do the things we do. But in your case I think it will be a waste of time. I don't believe you will ever want to agree on anything we do because you are blinded by emotions - and possibly ignorance.
It really makes little difference. I am tired of the 'snipers' and you are gonna do what you do regardless of what we do.
So you go right ahead - march on down the road and we will do the same. Then we'll see who has accomplished the most and who has complained the most.
Wanna guess how it will turn out.?
Mark Griffin
(BTW - I will not get into any debates with anonymous posters).
b
Mark,
Please don't think this is the majority opinion. I know that I am thankful and grateful for all you do to PROMOTE pool. This guy(one stroke) reminds me of SC5. Another sour person who hides behind a keyboard and has nothing positive to say but tries to cut down anyone who is trying to promote the sport in a positive manner. You and Jay keep doing what you think is right. Maybe one day these guys will learn how EVERY other job in America works. You have to represent yourself in a professional manner if you want to have job. (see Oscar for hints on how to act professional). Thanks for trying.
Andy
Please don't think this is the majority opinion. I know that I am thankful and grateful for all you do to PROMOTE pool. This guy(one stroke) reminds me of SC5. Another sour person who hides behind a keyboard and has nothing positive to say but tries to cut down anyone who is trying to promote the sport in a positive manner. You and Jay keep doing what you think is right. Maybe one day these guys will learn how EVERY other job in America works. You have to represent yourself in a professional manner if you want to have job. (see Oscar for hints on how to act professional). Thanks for trying.
Andy
I don't like to watch Earl for the antics, although sometimes some of things he does and says are quite funny (not the tantrums, but some of the side comments). I like to watch Earl because of how extremely talented he is. He still shoots great and his runouts are such a pleasure to watch.
I'm also a big fan of Rodney Morris too, so it does upset me that both of these guys won't be in Vegas.
It is Mark's tournament, so of course he has the right to do what he sees fit, but I agree that this tournament would be more entertaining and more of a draw if both Earl and Morris were in it.
I'm also a big fan of Rodney Morris too, so it does upset me that both of these guys won't be in Vegas.
It is Mark's tournament, so of course he has the right to do what he sees fit, but I agree that this tournament would be more entertaining and more of a draw if both Earl and Morris were in it.