Earl Strickland On TAR Podcast.

[RobDeBank]

I would like to thank everyone that gave me their opinions on why this is happening. While I agree that Earl's antics are a handful and he sometimes handles himself in ways a professional shouldn't. Like the poster a few spots above me stated, he is very passionate about pool and puts his heart and soul into a game that has very little to offer back. Shane is in a bad place right now because he became a rising star in a bad time for pool, Like Earl stated in the video it's sad that Shane doesn't have much to play for. Earl just want's to play pool I would love to see him back at the world 9 ball playing his heart out.

While I do 100% agree that every player should earn their spot every year in the mosconi cup because it is a team event and it wouldn't be fair if a player got to play that wasn't the best current choice for the team. I would love to see Earl earn that spot back but I really doubt that will happen. Let Earl play the world 9 ball while he can still have a chance, Before it's too late and he is Buddy Hall's age and he can't really compete anymore. Anyone who has ever talked to Buddy can tell you how much he loves the game as well.

BTW I am not knocking Buddy Hall's current game I know The Rifleman can still shoot em light's out.

 

[RobDeBank]

I don't believe there is a lot of conspiracies or anything like that.

To me, this is an issue of simple communications.

There is no 'good' process of contacting the 'qualified' players and notifying them there is a spot available.

Suonds simple but can get complicated.

Often times the world events are NOT scheduled very far in advance.
North America get a few spots (no where near the number they used to get) and then the process of contacting the players gets underway.

Assume there are 4 spots for US players. Contact the top 8 or so players.
Now you need to get a commitment (or a negative) before you can go on to lower ranked players. Notice I already built in a cushion.

Anyone who has tried to contact multiple players and get a timely response knows what I am saying. The timeline goes south.

By the time the player that will go actually gets the spot, the time frame for tickets and planning may be jeopardized.

This can be done - but it will take someone willing to take the time and to have some policies in place for players who cannot be contacted, or don't respond in a timely manner.

I volunteered in the past but it never happened - the current situation is not acceptable.

It is a shame because I feel US participation is important.

Mark Griffin
.

Perhaps you are right mark, this is a sad state that pool is in if this is the case.

 

[itsfroze]

itsfroze, first of all happy 4th to you my friend and I hope all is well with you. Second, I am gonna have to dissagree with you to a certain extent. JUST MY opinion is that with all major tourneys the previous years winner should get the automatic invite. Not all the past Champions who have ever won the tourney. Thats just how I feel on that no matter if its Earl or JA ir Shane. Now if they are having problems getting people to the event and they have lets say 4 invites for each country then I would have to agree to take the top 3 on the rankings and then a wildcard of their choosing, That would get some stars to the events too from all countries. That way maybe Efren would be invited, Earl, Steve Davis, Ralph if he isn't in the top 3. So as I said I am with you and I am not. Also some of the others may be correct that the promoters of the event may look at Earl as a liability that will only cause them trouble.

Happy 4th to you also my friend.
To be truthful I don't even believe Earl should be invited first I was just reacting to people who love to say bad things about the 6 time World champion Earl Strickland. If they only have 4 spots then that just isn't enough in my opinion. For I agree with you about 3 raking spots and a wild card. However I don't believe it is right or just not to send an invite to someone that has won that many World Championships and still plays
good, that's my opinion, because I think the wild card should go to somebody who's playing great is on fire but just missed the top three.
Oh and by the way if anyone lost their opinion I be glad to give you one of mine.:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[tommyceilings]

There are quite a few people throughout the country who know how to get in touch with anyone who holds a stick. They are mostly backers or mid level players.

But, I tell you this. Everyone can get gotten a hold of. Everyone has some phone number which a message can be gotten to them quickly.

What there needs to be is a reputable keeper of that number list where the players know, move from a city, get a new cell phone, get a new email, call (keeper of records) and update your information.