Invitationals
- Thread starter Grady
- Start date
DeadPoked said:
that same 14.1 tournament is where mike sigel also broke 1 of his own custom made cues. And right in front of the camera. shows you how good his cues are....lol...............................................mike
cueball1950 said:
Remember it well, happened against John Schmidt, who was celebrating his birthday that day. Deservedly, Sigel lost that match.
Also, I attended every session of the 2000 US Open 14.1 event at the Roseland in NYC, and it was quite disheartening to see how sparse the gathering was. I give the Blatts and Barry Dubow a lot of credit for taking the chance they took,and it was a shame it didn't work out better for them.
The truth is, there aren't many great ambassadors for straight pool left, even in NYC where the game is still played quite a bit. Danny Barouty, a great player and a great guy, is an exception. Danny is probably the greatest local advocate of straight pool in the NYC area. It's also nice to see that Jack Colavita has put the NJ Straight Pool event together again for next weekend just a few miles from NYC.
I fear you are right, though, Mike -- straight pool events don't appear to be profitable, which makes the prospects for a major straight pool event anytime soon fairly bleak.
sjm said:
Straight pool can be an event if the following happens: Played on 4.5 inch pockets (like at DCC), 75 points race to 2, single elimination, 2 consecutive fouls then incomming player gets ball in hand anywhere on table (1 foul free per inning) and ball in hand any place on table on pocket scratches like 9-ball. I think this rules would help revive the game. This would be more like speed straight pool.
I too attended every session of that National straight pool championship. I flew in from Los Angeles and stayed 2 weeks as well as I attended the qualifyer run by my friend Rolando at Amsterdam East. Which was just as enjoyable. Perhaps straight pool can survive if it is not done as a grandiose way as was done by Blatt. It perhaps should be done in Jersey or a place like Rochester,NY where straight pool lives. Where the room rent isnt so prohibitive as mid Manhattan. Also the womens side of the straight pool event was worthless. The highest run being by Alison Fisher in the 60's. No other woman came close.
As far as Invitationals go. It is going to be with us so lets try to accept them. But maybe it can be useful to have spots open for a qualifing player. The sad thing is that these invitationals do not contribute in any way to other venues. That must come from the demands of the players or fans. Special football events give money to retired players fund or an educational fund. Too bad there is not a worthy organization in pool that can back these things up.
I realize Grady it is sad when you, Jack Colavito, or a Johnny Ervolino has to compete in a lowly qualifier in order to gain entrance in a National event but that is the way of the world. Musicians train for years and have to bear the burden of having to see a Brittany, Madonna, or Emminem take down all the cash and get all the play. The only way to solve this is to create your own events. Too bad other players dont have the heart to support you in efforts and capitol. But this is the way it has always been. Van Gogh never sold a painting while he was alive. I for one will always support your endeavors.
As far as Invitationals go. It is going to be with us so lets try to accept them. But maybe it can be useful to have spots open for a qualifing player. The sad thing is that these invitationals do not contribute in any way to other venues. That must come from the demands of the players or fans. Special football events give money to retired players fund or an educational fund. Too bad there is not a worthy organization in pool that can back these things up.
I realize Grady it is sad when you, Jack Colavito, or a Johnny Ervolino has to compete in a lowly qualifier in order to gain entrance in a National event but that is the way of the world. Musicians train for years and have to bear the burden of having to see a Brittany, Madonna, or Emminem take down all the cash and get all the play. The only way to solve this is to create your own events. Too bad other players dont have the heart to support you in efforts and capitol. But this is the way it has always been. Van Gogh never sold a painting while he was alive. I for one will always support your endeavors.
yobagua said:
Yeah, Yobagua, I went to those qualifiers, too. They were fun. Speaking of Californians who made the trip to New york, I remember seeing Bob Jewett at the Roseland during the 200 US Open.
As for your comment about the women's straight pool division, there's certainly some truth in what you said, though I remember that Vivian Villareal had a 51 and out against Nesli O'Hare and later ran 50 against Loree Jon Jones in the semifinal. Still, in my estimation, the best woman straight pooler in the world wasn't there, and that would be Jeanette Lee. In the 1999 National Straight Pool Championships, Lee had beaten Johnny Ervolino, Jimmy Fusco and Dallas West in succession. Jeanette is the owner of many hundred ball runs and once ran 152 against me. She also ran a 124 against Mika Immonen in a practice match. Unfortunately, Jeanette was in bed recovering from major back surgery at the time of the 2000 US Open straight pool event. I think you would have really enjoyed watching her. Then again, Allison played well and would have given Jeanette a fairly stiff test.
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deadstroke32 said:ok what is skins games ? Are there women playing in this ? cause i'll be there all day ..
Deadstroke,
If the women actually play the 'skins game' then it has to be 100% by invitation only.... some of the wpba pros are, sorry to say, not pleasing to the eyes!!
Qualifying ?
I repeat what I have said in the past: "It's degrading to have to qualify for any tournament when you have been a pro all your life." Isn't it tough enough to have to compete against men who have great skills, at considerable expense?
I and others just like me, have given our lives to pool. We're the ones who went to tournaments when some of them didn't pay off and first place was $800 or something.I never asked for or received any type of entitlement be-cause I was fiercely proud and independent and I raised my family just fine, thank you.
Two wonderful gifts, priviledges if you will, were recently accorded me. These are mine for the rest of my life. No need to go into them here. One of them is mainly financial, the other a matter of honor. The fact that I earned these things and that I was considered to be deserving of them means much to me.
I don't think people like me should ever have to qualify for what passes as a world 9 ball championship or any 14.1 event. I would love to get my Dec. event filmed but I can't afford the current tariff. If anyone has some connections,please contact me.It doesn't have to be for TV or perfect camera work.
I repeat what I have said in the past: "It's degrading to have to qualify for any tournament when you have been a pro all your life." Isn't it tough enough to have to compete against men who have great skills, at considerable expense?
I and others just like me, have given our lives to pool. We're the ones who went to tournaments when some of them didn't pay off and first place was $800 or something.I never asked for or received any type of entitlement be-cause I was fiercely proud and independent and I raised my family just fine, thank you.
Two wonderful gifts, priviledges if you will, were recently accorded me. These are mine for the rest of my life. No need to go into them here. One of them is mainly financial, the other a matter of honor. The fact that I earned these things and that I was considered to be deserving of them means much to me.
I don't think people like me should ever have to qualify for what passes as a world 9 ball championship or any 14.1 event. I would love to get my Dec. event filmed but I can't afford the current tariff. If anyone has some connections,please contact me.It doesn't have to be for TV or perfect camera work.
Grady said:
Grady,
I don't agree with everything you say when you start typing, but with this statement I agree 100%. If you step up with your entry fee you should be in, end of strory. That is unless EVERYBODY has to qualify.
Steve.
dooziexx said:
Dooziexx,
On another post, I believe dealing with the US Open, someone mentioned that Danny Basavich was denied potential TV table exposure because of his "appearance". I can't believe we can't get beyond appearance as a matter of selection. Please don't say you were joking. I consider Danny to be a friend. I certainly hope I never looked a him in any manner other than respect for a great player. I look at the women the same way. Who is to say that either you or I are "good looking" and worthy of TV exposure. Let their playing ability speak for them!