Historic Finals Today: Lee Van Corteza vs Thorsten Hohmann for the World 14.1 Title

[Cornerman]

Barouty has run hundreds a zillion times and is very knowledgeable about how to play the game. But in recent years, in his 50's and now his 60's, his ball-pocketing skills have not been what they once were.

But that's irrelevant to his induction into this Hall of Fame, because he was inducted in the Unsung Hero category, not the Greatest Player category. This is analogous to the BCA Hall of Fame's two categories -- Greatest Player and Meritorious Service.

Danny's induction was to recognize his promotion of leagues and events in NY and CA.

All nice and good, but with all due respect to Danny Barouty, there are other Unsung Heroes that aren't in, that would be there as Unsung Hero way before Barouty. Even Danny Barouty would agree to this. Mike Zuglan, Tony Robles, and Ginky, IMO, should be in as "Unsung Heroes," if there's even a criteria.

Mike Eufemia is in for Unsung Heroes (fantastic!), but not Babe Cranfield for the same mystical criteria?

And the greatest players induction has been a joke:

Mizerak and Varner just got in this year (fantastic!), but Sigel isn't even mentioned?

Bobby Hunter is in (fantastic!), but Dallas West isn't even mentioned???

Oliver Ortmann is in (fantastic!), but no mention of Joe Balsis?



We have a tough enough time with the BCA Hall of Fame, but there is a criteria list.


Freddie <~~~ should throw stones, but has rocks in hand

 

[AtLarge]

All nice and good, but with all due respect to Danny Barouty, there are other Unsung Heroes that aren't in, that would be there as Unsung Hero way before Barouty. Even Danny Barouty would agree to this. Mike Zuglan, Tony Robles, and Ginky, IMO, should be in as "Unsung Heroes," if there's even a criteria.

Mike Eufemia is in for Unsung Heroes (fantastic!), but not Babe Cranfield for the same mystical criteria?

And the greatest players induction has been a joke:

Mizerak and Varner just got in this year (fantastic!), but Sigel isn't even mentioned?

Bobby Hunter is in (fantastic!), but Dallas West isn't even mentioned???

Oliver Ortmann is in (fantastic!), but no mention of Joe Balsis?



We have a tough enough time with the BCA Hall of Fame, but there is a criteria list.


Freddie <~~~ should throw stones, but has rocks in hand

I don't disagree with you Freddie. My post about Barouty was simply to correct mikemosconi's misunderstanding as to why Barouty is in that hall of fame. I had problems from the start with the actual existence of Dragon's hall of fame. But I kind of made my peace with it because it has, and will, lead to honoring some of the guys who have been important to 14.1 but who will not make it into the BCA HOF.

 

[Cornerman]

I don't disagree with you Freddie. My post about Barouty was simply to correct mikemosconi's misunderstanding as to why Barouty is in that hall of fame. I had problems from the start with the actual existence of Dragon's hall of fame. But I kind of made my peace with it because it has, and will, lead to honoring some of the guys who have been important to 14.1 but who will not make it into the BCA HOF.

True dat. We're aligned.

 

[Blackjack]

Wow ... there was some great straight pool played this past week in NYC. Charlie did a great job once again organizing and promoting an excellent tournament at a great venue ... I guess now it's time to burn him at the stake for trying to keep the game alive? People ask me all the time ... what killed straight pool ... my answer is ... attitudes like the ones displayed here in this thread.

 

[JoeyInCali]

When did Corteza learn straight pool ?
Couldn't be more than 3 years ago.

 

[AtLarge]

... Without Koreandragon, 14.1 isn't played. ...

Not sure I'd go that far. Charlie's event started in 2006.

The Maryland Straight Pool Championship started in 2005. It moved from Maryland to Virginia in 2014, and changed its name to the American 14.1 Straight Pool Championship. Now benefiting from its dates the week before, and geographic proximity to, the US Open 9-Ball Championship, it draws the strongest 14.1 field of the year.

Here are the past champions: http://www.americanstraightpool.com/players.html

 

[Nick B]

The event by itself has merit. I think most people here have issue with Charlie's choice of conduct. Life is a two way street. You don't have to participate on the forum but if you post announcements and such then you are duty bound to respond to questions. Only makes sense.

 

[ctyhntr]

Do you make fun of every man who suffers from male pattern baldness?

One more point- inducting Danny Barouty into a 14.1 Hall of Fame- are you kidding? I have never seen this guy run more than 50 balls in more than 10 of these events, shows up for a World Championship playing with a ridiculous hat on his head- just a joke. What MAJOR 14.1 championship against true world class competition did he EVER win? - or even come close to winning

 

[Bob Jewett]

When did Corteza learn straight pool ?
Couldn't be more than 3 years ago.

In 2016 Corteza had the high run at Derby City of 225. That may have been the first competition he played in. Here is the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVo0AI-PvNc

Here are the successive racking times:
Score Time
14 4:20
28 10:24
42 17:20
56 24:44
70 35:11
84 43:20
98 52:11
112 1:01:50
126 1:10:30
140 1:21:40
154 1:31:02
168 1:40:50
182 1:49:20
196 1:57:20
210 1:06:20
224 2:17:30

He made the break ball for 225. It was the first and only behind the rack break shot in the run and the cue ball came around three cushions (as hoped for) but ended very near a ball.

The scoring rate was about 1.6 balls per minute, which is a little slow.

He lost in the first round of the 8-player tournament that year.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Not sure I'd go that far. Charlie's event started in 2006.

The Maryland Straight Pool Championship started in 2005. It moved from Maryland to Virginia in 2014, and changed its name to the American 14.1 Straight Pool Championship. Now benefiting from its dates the week before, and geographic proximity to, the US Open 9-Ball Championship, it draws the strongest 14.1 field of the year.

Here are the past champions: http://www.americanstraightpool.com/players.html

There is also the 14.1 at the Derby City Classic (since 2006), the New Jersey State Championships (until Comet closed), the Make-It-Happen events, and some others.

But the largest effort seems to be in Europe. In the European Juniors Championships this year there were 51 entrants in the under-17 straight pool and 45 in the under-23 straight pool. There were 77 entered in the Men's 14.1 Championships and 36 in the Women's 14.1 Championships.