Considering how much this tournament seems to mean to the fans, it would be nice to see an articulable system in place to help select the players. The Mosconi Cup standings, or something similar. That's how the Rider Cup is selected. You could still provide some autonomy for the captain by allowing a captain's pick or two, if the top 3 in the points standings got automatic selections. I know it's difficult without a standard tour, and you can't really include the foreign tournaments, because the travel can only be afforded by the sponsored players. However, with the SBE and the US Open, US Open Bar Table events, DCC, World Straight Pool tourney in New York, I think there might be enough tournaments to give the players a fair shot.
It would also provide more meaning to all of the events and increase the importance of placing well. This type of system would also ensure that a guy like Mike Dechaine, who plays in as many tournaments in the U.S. as anyone, and does better than most (other than Shane), would actually get a fair shake. I know he seems to rub a lot of people the wrong way, but to not even be considered strikes me as petty and equally deplorable. It would also provide discussion and something for the fans to monitor.
