Johnston City action pit

[Rico]

The Cue club was out back cement blocks i believe.It was $5 or $10 bucks to join if i remember.The two tables in the pit for tourn. in the bar.Slept in those bleacher a couple of times.Anyone remember a guy Cosmo.

 

[garczar]

That's not a woman's arm.

Ever seen Balukas when she was that age?

 

[garczar]

ah, there would also be the issue of the beard on that player.

Lou Figueroa

Hair hanging down. Ain't no beard.

 

[lfigueroa]

As long as we're sharing, here's some more JC stuff.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Hair hanging down. Ain't no beard.

Looks to me like his hair is swept back. Also "the beard" fellows his chin line.

Lou Figueroa

 

[wahcheck]

Thanks

I was a little kid when somehow I convinced my parents I had
to go, I was at the Cotton Bowling Palace and had mentioned
that I was going. I had no idea how I was going to get in the "pit".
My buddy Alf Taylor who is a few years older than me got lucky.
he had gone the year before was standing outside in the snow
peeking in when Fats saw him. He told him to come in before
he froze to death. At CBP Jack Terry, a very good player gave
me a note and asked me to give it to Danny Jones. I watched
the tournament, and everyone headed for the action room.
Handsome Danny Jones is walking by and I said him, "i'm
from Dallas, Jack Terry asked me to give you this". We're
walking toward the Pit and he's asking me about whats going
on in Dallas and this and that and we walk right in. Puckett
whom I had seen quite often at the CBP (but I was sure didn't
know me) was standing close to the door when we came in
says " hey Danny, that your caddie" . Danny says he's from
Dallas and the Puckett says oh yeah Alffie's buddy. " I almost
fainted. From then on I would walk right in, If Danny or Puckett
were not there someone would say he's okay he's with Danny
or U.J. I would't have traded places with anyone in the world.
Ronnie Allen, Lassiter,Crane, Eddie Taylor,Weenie Beanie,
Danny D, all of my hero's in that little room, and I never missed
a word or shot. It is still at the top of my list as one of the best
and exciting times of my life.
jack

That's a cool story and nice read.........Thanks for that..

 

[garczar]

A buddy just contacted me and said that player is Cole Dickson. Found a couple pics from the "long hair" days and he's probably right. Probably makes Jean feel better.

 

[WildWing]

Many memories there. I wonder if these are only the tournament room, and the pit was another room? Maybe...

All the best,
WW

 

[garczar]

Many memories there. I wonder if these are only the tournament room, and the pit was another room? Maybe...

All the best,
WW

That upper picture is pit in later years. They added more seats and went to two Gold Crowns. Bottom pic looks like earlier Pit days with the Macon/Gandy tables. You can just see the edge of the Wide World of Sports banner in the back left. Very cool pic of Wimpy sweatin Boston Shorty. At the 5:00 min. mark you can see this match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYNBZz4lMrg

 

[lfigueroa]

A buddy just contacted me and said that player is Cole Dickson. Found a couple pics from the "long hair" days and he's probably right. Probably makes Jean feel better.

I thought it might be Cole or a young slim Swanee.

Lou Figueroa

 

[ideologist]

A buddy just contacted me and said that player is Cole Dickson. Found a couple pics from the "long hair" days and he's probably right. Probably makes Jean feel better.

I'll post a clearer shot of his face as well

 

[jay helfert]

A buddy just contacted me and said that player is Cole Dickson. Found a couple pics from the "long hair" days and he's probably right. Probably makes Jean feel better.

It could be Cole. He was a teenager then and already criss-crossing the country looking for action. Cole would have been 19 or 20 in 1972 (the last year at JC). That's how he dressed back then and that solid bridge looks familiar. He had a good, strong, open stance.

 

[bstroud]

Cole for sure.

Bill S.