Foreign Players-Why are they here?

[cleary]

Now who's taking things too personal?! :grin-square:

I didn't even know anything about Mezz USA and you. Why do you need to be sponsored? Are you going to start to shoot pool professionally on the tournament trail? If so, good luck.

But I'm sorry it didn't work out with the Mezz USA. One door shuts; another one opens.

It was a joke.

BTW, is it Usama bin Laden or Osama bin Laden? I can't keep up with the correct spellings.

I think starbucks put some peyote in your tea.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

It was a joke.



I think starbucks put some peyote in your tea.

Shut-up, Cleary. [insert whiney voice here]

 

[cleary]

Shut-up, Cleary.

ehhhhhh.... ok...

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

ehhhhhh.... ok...

You have to say it with a whiney voice.

 

[sarahrousey]

Though pool does seem to "suck" we actually do have a lot of opportunity here in the states. There are lots of regional events, gambling, etc. It's also easier to come here to live then say, China. Though pool right now is great in China, I'm not going to rush to move to a communist country where I can't communicate with anyone at all (unless you count really bad sign language). Things are just a little to cozy for me here at home! Also, I don't think moving to China and becoming a Chinese citizen would be welcomed with open arms.

From one trip to Europe, I would think that it is cheaper to live in the States than it is to live in Europe. It seemed quite expensive to me when I was there last year.

Also, quite a few of the European men and women that have come to the US have become citizens, not just permanent residents. I know that is case for Karen, Julie, Gerda, and I believe Thorsten. Since that is the case, they can be represented by the BCA if they choose to claim the USA as their country of residence. Julie Kelly has been representing the USA overseas for a few years now.

Sarah

 

[JAM]

I did not know Thorsten was an American citizen. I guess Thorsten will be wearing red, white, and blue soon and representing the USA. That's great!

 

[JAM]

It was a joke.

I guess I did not understand it was a joke. It is hard to know if you are speaking the truth or not if you mention that Mezz USA withdrew sponsorship. I don't think that would be very funny to anyone.

I think starbucks put some peyote in your tea.

I need a Starbucks right now. I'm on a brutal job with a six o'clock deadline. Locating the spellings of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, al-Libi, et cetera, et cetera, is slow going.

 

[Slasher]

What I don't get is players living in other countries like the US, UK or Canada yet when they play events they represent their country of heritage?? ie Raj, Alex. Surely if you are enjoying the freedoms and economies of these countries it would be respectful to represent them no?

 

[JAM]

What I don't get is players living in other countries like the US, UK or Canada yet when they play events they represent their country of heritage?? ie Raj, Alex. Surely if you are enjoying the freedoms and economies of these countries it would be respectful to represent them no?

That's what I'm talking about!

 

[JCIN]

What I don't get is players living in other countries like the US, UK or Canada yet when they play events they represent their country of heritage?? ie Raj, Alex. Surely if you are enjoying the freedoms and economies of these countries it would be respectful to represent them no?

I don't see the big deal. For me personally I could care less about who wins some made up contest between nations. I root for the guys who I like no matter what country they claim or reside in.

One the coolest things for me about the pool is getting to meet people from all over the world because they come here to compete. The ones that move here add to the talent pool in this country whether they represent it in international competition or not. They make pool in the US better as a whole.

 

[JoeyA]

It might be that the living conditions in the United States are attractive.

Besides, our BCA supports foreign players now. Haven't you heard?

Roy "Da Fish" Steffensen says he likes our voluptuous women!

 

[jay helfert]

Okay, let me chime in here. This year there are a minimum of FOURTEEN events with at least $25,000 in added money right here in the USA. Check it out: DCC, U.S. Bar Table, The Masters, FOUR Seminole Tour events, TWO Joss Tour Championships, the Players Championship, the U.S. Open Ten Ball, the U.S. Open 9-Ball, the World Straight Pool and the Ultimate Ten Ball in Dallas. Maybe I'm leaving something out here too.

In addition there are multiple regional events with 5K added or more, like the recent Seminole Tour event at California Billiards with 16K total in added money. So there are ample opportunities for a professional pool player to get in action every month in the USA. Plus, the U.S. is still a wonderful country to live in, with many beautiful (and inexpensive) places to live. Good deals on housing are available everywhere now. If you're European your money goes farther here than at home.

I can absolutely see why a pro pool player would chose to make his home here, if he/she could. He/she can play on a regular basis here, and if they are good enough (like Shane for instance), they can also travel to the major international events. Makes sense to me.

 

[JAM]

Roy "Da Fish" Steffensen says he likes our voluptuous women!

'Bout time you showed up in a thread that seems to be a wee bit uncomfortable for some -- not all -- who aren't part of someone else's group of friends.

Anyway, on another note, JoeyA, was that guy who sponsored the recent Ultimate 10 Ball Championship from Norway? I'm still trying to understand more about the movers and shakers in the current pool world. It is nice to have new blood.

 

[JAM]

Okay, let me chime in here. This year there are a minimum of FOURTEEN events with at least $25,000 in added money right here in the USA. Check it out: DCC, U.S. Bar Table, The Masters, FOUR Seminole Tour events, TWO Joss Tour Championships, the Players Championship, the U.S. Open Ten Ball, the U.S. Open 9-Ball, the World Straight Pool and the Ultimate Ten Ball in Dallas. Maybe I'm leaving something out here too.

In addition there are multiple regional events with 5K added or more, like the recent Seminole Tour event at California Billiards with 16K total in added money. So there are ample opportunities for a professional pool player to get in action every month in the USA. Plus, the U.S. is still a wonderful country to live in, with many beautiful (and inexpensive) places to live. Good deals on housing are available everywhere now. If you're European your money goes farther here than at home.

I can absolutely see why a pro pool player would chose to make his home here, if he (she) could. He (or she) can play on a regular basis here, and if they are good enough (like Shane for instance), they can also travel to the major international events. Makes sense to me.

Jay, if a guy is from, say, Zimbabwe but becomes a U.S. citizen, should he continue to wear the Zimbabwe colors representing Zimbabwe instead of the United States?

If you're going to be an American, shouldn't you play for USA?

I guess I do not understand this.

 

[JoeyA]

I am from England and have been here in the U.S.A for almost 20 years now. I have been lucky enough in my younger days that I have been all over the world and in just about every state.
Therefore I have the right and experience to tell anyone a little something about this country. I have got myself into trouble in the past for telling people to shut up. As someone once said "The great thing about America is that you have the right to leave if you are not happy"
This country has been very good to me and I love it and have the advantage of knowing what other places are like and what they have to offer. My conclusion is this. No matter who is in the white house or how bad the state of things are right now, this is still the greatest country in the world. If you doubt me, go live somewhere else for 6 months and maintain your standard of living. I'll bet unless you are independantly wealthy you will come home and kiss the ground every morning and say GOD BLESS AMERICA.

This is why people want to be hear and the pool world is just a small part of the puzzle that one day will be back.

Yes, things are tough in the pool world right now but they are tough everywhere. Just remember we are all very lucky to live in a country where I can say " screw Obama" if I feel like it. I don't because even Obama on his worst day beats living in Russia or somewhere else.

Will you run for president of the U.S.A.? I would vote for you. Oh, I forgot, you have to have an American birth certificate. OK, just pick another office, you have my vote. Thanks for giving us sheltered yanks a perspective that most of us don't have.

JoeyA

 

[JAM]

Will you run for president of the U.S.A.? I would vote for you. Oh, I forgot, you have to have an American birth certificate. OK, just pick another office, you have my vote. Thanks for giving us sheltered yanks a perspective that most of us don't have.

JoeyA

I just did an incredibly interesting job with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's currently writing a book about his life story. A farmboy from Austria comes to the United States, gets first place in numerous Mr. Olympia championships, becomes one of the highest paid movie stars in Hollywood, marries a Kennedy, and becomes Governor of California. What a sweet ride for Arnie! :thumbup:

 

[skip]

All about money an taxes, an this is a great place to live. :thumbup:

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, if a guy is from, say, Zimbabwe but becomes a U.S. citizen, should he continue to wear the Zimbabwe colors representing Zimbabwe instead of the United States?

If you're going to be an American, shouldn't you play for USA?

I guess I do not understand this.

I'm a lot like Justin (JCIN) here. I don't really care where a guy comes from if he can play the game. By now you should all know I admire the skill level of the most talented players. Yes, some of them have irascible personalities (no names here :wink but I still admire their talent. In pool everyone is an independent agent, unless you are representing your country in a team competition, like The Mosconi Cup or The World Cup of Pool.

I guess that's the bottom line for me. Last week, Alex beat Scott in the One Pocket final and Mitch beat Raj in the Ten Ball finals. Their nationalities made absolutely no difference to me. I wanted to see the best man win. Period!

 

[JAM]

I'm a lot like Justin (JCIN) here. I don't really care where a guy comes from if he can play the game. By now you should all know I admire the skill level of the most talented players. Yes, some of them have irascible personalities (no names here :wink but I still admire their talent. In pool everyone is an independent agent, unless you are representing your country in a team competition, like The Mosconi Cup or The World Cup of Pool.

I guess that's the bottom line for me. Last week, Alex beat Scott in the One Pocket and Mitch beat Raj in the Ten Ball finals. Their nationalities made absolutely no difference to me. I wanted to see the best man win. Period!

I guess you're misunderstanding my post, as it probably was not written well.

I don't give a hoot where a player is from, truly. What I am saying is that if a player is an American citizen, then when he travels to China, Qatar, or Philippines, just to throw three countries out there, and competes in world competitions, the player should be representing the United States, not the country where he was born and used to live in. If he is making his home the United States and he's an American, he should represent America.

MMA fights have this kind of confusion all the time.

Again, I don't care where they are from if they are competing in the Joss event at Turning Stone or the Seminoles Tour. I am talking about competition with country representations.

 

[Sieben]

Its always being discussed how sad the state of pool is here in the United States. If this is so, why are so many foreign players moving here or at the very least spending a large amount of time here? I'm thrilled to have players such as Mika, Darren and others living here, just not sure what their reasoning would be if pool is so bad here.

Money,Money