Larry Nevel snaps shaft at US Open (video)

that shattered into pieces....i wonder what shaft it was...anyone have any clue as to the shaft and butt?
 
It was hilarious.. Danny D kept cracking jokes at Larry's expense for the rest of the match.. Lol.

Short Bus Russ
 
Glad Alex was at the other side of the table, it don't take much to hurt Alex tiny body!
 
I was watching it when it happened. (on the stream) I think Larry was surprised by it. He was sliding the shaft along the floor, out of frustration of course, and it caught on a seam in the carpet and snapped.

I feel bad for Larry. He's a very passionate player, and sometimes lets his emotions get out of control.

He is a great player, and a good guy too.

Royce Bunnell
 
It ain't a big deal! I do this nearly every shot I miss, it might seem expensive but I am able to heat my house with broken shafts;).
 
I thought Danny's funniest line was "that's why you need to carry two shafts --- jut in case you break one intentionally."
 
Cuebuddy said:
It ain't a big deal! I do this nearly every shot I miss, it might seem expensive but I am able to heat my house with broken shafts;).
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I agree. If it had been me getting some of those rolls I probably would have snapped the shaft over my head.
 
Wonder how he would have reacted if Alex told him that some of the splinters disrupted the cue ball and took ball in hand.
 
Maybe there's more to it than this clip, but Larry doesn't appear to be out of control. He immediately bent over and started picking up the remains of the shaft. He may have swept the balls down the table because the piece of his shaft that landed on the table hit one of the balls.
 
Anyone that has seen Larry play before knows that he loses his shit occasionally. I think Nevel has the talent to be an elite, world class player but his mental breakdowns are always going to hold him back if he doesn't fix something.

I remember when I first started playing pool. I was at the derby and was watching Nevel in the banks. He was steam rolling through players. I told my friend, "I think that guy is going to win". My buddy told me: don't count on it; as he gets toward the end he will melt down and crash and burn. I thought to myself there is no way a guy could play that good and then just lose it. Sure enough, a few rounds later his attitude shifted and he started dogging it terribly.

Since then, I have seen him play amazing time and time again, pulling off brilliant shots only to fall apart later in the tournament. It would be great to expect something different, but after a while, you are what you have shown to be.
 
I asked Jay Helfert about this (what would happen if the broken shaft interfered with balls on the table). He said it would simply be ball in hand for the opponent...not much else they could do. The shaft breaking was not accidental. I was standing right there watching. Larry was very frustrated by some bad rolls he got and mistakes he made, and he just lost his temper and pushed down too hard on the shaft (which was touching the carpet). It did snap like a twig, into several pieces, one of which landed back up on the table...but did not touch any balls. Larry is a great player, and all great players lose it mentally once in a while. How "losing it" manifests itself is different for different players...but it happens to them all.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Luxury said:
Wonder how he would have reacted if Alex told him that some of the splinters disrupted the cue ball and took ball in hand.
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Scott Lee said:
I asked Jay Helfert about this (what would happen if the broken shaft interfered with balls on the table). He said it would simply be ball in hand for the opponent...not much else they could do.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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Count me in for one who believes the TD should be able to really lay down the law and stop this type of thing. In fact, I think it should be in the TD's job description.... "if any player is getting very out of hand, it will reflect poorly on you (the TD)." Once the TD's lay it down a time or two (loss of match, loss of game, whatever).... the player's will wise up quick. It truly is simple if you ask me.... give the TD responsibility for the comportment of the players, and give him the power to "lay down the law" (and perhaps a raise).
 
The Chinchilla said:
Count me in for one who believes the TD should be able to really lay down the law and stop this type of thing. In fact, I think it should be in the TD's job description.... "if any player is getting very out of hand, it will reflect poorly on you (the TD)." Once the TD's lay it down a time or two (loss of match, loss of game, whatever).... the player's will wise up quick. It truly is simple if you ask me.... give the TD responsibility for the comportment of the players, and give him the power to "lay down the law" (and perhaps a raise).
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I hold the opposite viewpoint. This is something that people will tune in to watch on cable tv.

You see, people were enamored with John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Just to see what they would do next. And in our sport, the player that draws the most attention is Earl Strickland. And he is 50 years old now, and other players have caught up with his skill. Why do you think Earl has the strongest following?

People want to see action. People tune in to the controversial players. The average pool viewer on cable tv wants to see the players jumping and screaming, not sitting in the chair quietly.

If Nevel did this during an ESPN match, it would have made Sportscenter. And a few new people would start to enjoy the game.

When you go to a hockey game and there are 5 fights, listen to what people are talking about when you exit the arena. They are all talking about the fights.

Pool doesn't have to be all about the details on the table. Not every fan gets into the precision of the game. I watch football on Sunday, but I am not concerned with the offensive linemen's footwork. But a friend of mine who used to play notices things like that.

So, it is entertainment. Did you go to Valley Forge last time? Earl got kicked out by the TD. The few fans that were in attendance came to see him play. They might have even came to see him throw a tantrum, or do something spectacular.

So if Nevel wants to become unruly at the table, by all means let him!
 
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