"League Players LOL"
- Thread starter bankshot76
- Start date
Don't judge all league players by your conversation with one league player.
I cannot speak for all league players, nor would I attempt to classify all league players as some have done in this thread. The sad truth for some of us is that if you want to play pool the only options are bar leagues.
I cannot speak for all league players, nor would I attempt to classify all league players as some have done in this thread. The sad truth for some of us is that if you want to play pool the only options are bar leagues.
Fatboy said:
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Fatboy said:
This might be true in most parts of the country but here in NYC I play in the BCA league at Amsterdam. I've played against Mika Immonen and Caroline Pao (WPBA pro). Also in this league are Tony Robles, Jennifer Barretta, Liz Ford, Steve and Gina Lipsky and many, many other Open, A+ and A players. It's uber competitve and really a lot of fun. I can't imagine playing anywhere else, so maybe that makes me a pool snob too
There is a hell of a lot of people playing in LEAGUES, like BCA, ACS, ACA, TAP, etc., etc., etc., nightly in the Valley of the Sun.
If I had ONE DOLLAR for Every person playing in a league, for each time they played for a whole year, I could drive a NEW Porsche.
If I had ONE DOLLAR for Every person playing in a league, for each time they played for a whole year, I could drive a NEW Porsche.
I understand that leagues are not perfect but I do believe they serve a very good purpose in areas where pool isn't quite as popular or abundant as it is in some other places.
I play in a TAP league that is small, but in my area it definately promotes pool and developmental of quality play amongst some of the newer players.
And yes handicaps suck; but they do allow lesser players to gain confidence and I do think that contributes to development as well.
I play in a TAP league that is small, but in my area it definately promotes pool and developmental of quality play amongst some of the newer players.
And yes handicaps suck; but they do allow lesser players to gain confidence and I do think that contributes to development as well.
People need to get a grip.
Pool league can't be bad "for pool". For this to be true then "pool" would have to be something. Its not and we fanatics and lovers of the hobby need to get over ourselves.
Its like we continually try to raise the bar of pool but for the wrong reason...acceptance. Most simply want people to look at them differently when they say they play pool or are going to play pool or that they spent $500-1000 for a pool cue.
Leagues are leagues. There are bolwling leagues and I guarantee 80% of league bowlers cant name the top 10 on the tour. AND thats with TV time and a real traveling Pro tour.
Mostly I wonder why people are so against leagues. Afterall its something that is not forced on them. They are not made to play. They don't have to watch the long matches.
BUT if they are watching you will see something thats not found among most non-league pool fanatics... smiles , laughter, friendships among different levels of players.
Leagues mean different things to different players. The guy Fatboy was talking about probably plays every thursday seriously. He means he is there and trys his heart out. What's wrong that he doesnt know Archer?
Hell how would he know Archer???
Should leagues do more???? Yes but if I owned it and took a look at Pros and the current situations then I would back off. We as fanatics dont think so just due to our incurable infection with the game.
But realistically if someone thinks that they should take their SUCCESSFUL
league (business) and subject it to the likes of mens professional pool then they are simply nuts.
Leagues can not be bad for pool because its simply a game. Until theres something successful to tear down or harm then I don't see how getting
250,000 people together several nights a week and watching them smile, laugh and take a load off is a bad thing.
The US Open is this week and I would bet that less than 10 Newspapers carry anything about it. I would bet that less than 3 people from here will
submit to their local paper any request or any information about it.
I would bet that no national TV coverage occurs at all.
I guess now I know who to blame ..... Freaking Leagues !!! :angry:
Damned guys and gals out having a beer and fun screwed it up for everyone. Damn bastards :angry:
If that guy only knew who Johnny Archer was :sorry:
Pool league can't be bad "for pool". For this to be true then "pool" would have to be something. Its not and we fanatics and lovers of the hobby need to get over ourselves.
Its like we continually try to raise the bar of pool but for the wrong reason...acceptance. Most simply want people to look at them differently when they say they play pool or are going to play pool or that they spent $500-1000 for a pool cue.
Leagues are leagues. There are bolwling leagues and I guarantee 80% of league bowlers cant name the top 10 on the tour. AND thats with TV time and a real traveling Pro tour.
Mostly I wonder why people are so against leagues. Afterall its something that is not forced on them. They are not made to play. They don't have to watch the long matches.
BUT if they are watching you will see something thats not found among most non-league pool fanatics... smiles , laughter, friendships among different levels of players.
Leagues mean different things to different players. The guy Fatboy was talking about probably plays every thursday seriously. He means he is there and trys his heart out. What's wrong that he doesnt know Archer?
Hell how would he know Archer???
Should leagues do more???? Yes but if I owned it and took a look at Pros and the current situations then I would back off. We as fanatics dont think so just due to our incurable infection with the game.
But realistically if someone thinks that they should take their SUCCESSFUL
league (business) and subject it to the likes of mens professional pool then they are simply nuts.
Leagues can not be bad for pool because its simply a game. Until theres something successful to tear down or harm then I don't see how getting
250,000 people together several nights a week and watching them smile, laugh and take a load off is a bad thing.
The US Open is this week and I would bet that less than 10 Newspapers carry anything about it. I would bet that less than 3 people from here will
submit to their local paper any request or any information about it.
I would bet that no national TV coverage occurs at all.
I guess now I know who to blame ..... Freaking Leagues !!! :angry:
Damned guys and gals out having a beer and fun screwed it up for everyone. Damn bastards :angry:
If that guy only knew who Johnny Archer was :sorry:
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let me reiterate an important point
PLEASE STOP LUMPING ALL POOL LEAGUES TOGETHER WITH THE APA
I believe there is room in our sport for every format of play. Somebody needs to keep the table builders & cue makers in business so that we ALL have the option to decide at what level we want to pursue our personal game - casual or serious.
APA - entry level players - a place for new players to participate without being embarassed because they don't know what they are doing. As they learn then they can choose to take it further or not.
issues: at 260,000 - 270,000 players that equals $6,500,000 - $6,750,000 ($25 each for 2009 fee) PLUS whatever portion they get from the League Operators take. The percentage paid back to the players (their customers) is chump change. Do they contribute any prize monies to the WPBA now that they have their name plastered all over their tournaments? If so - how much? If not - why not?
Bangers - of course there are bangers because they don't have a clue as to what they don't know about the game. But, you know what, there are jerks in all walks of life - you have to take the good with the bad.
League Operators - I'm not going to go there.
attitude - this is an area that really makes me shake my head. They act as if they invented pool - NOT - or they invented handicapping - NOT (how long has 9 ball been handicapped with balls/games?) In my area alone there are at least 2 leagues that I can think of (I run one of them) that has been around since the 60's.
BCA: the BCA players are much more knowledgable about the game and the whole "pool scene". Your league can be sanctioned by them, keep all of your "prize fund", maintain your own rules & still be eligible to go to a very large annual event that is played on good equipment.
Local Leagues: these are typically "money" leagues where all the money is given back to the teams based on performance (minus a normal 10% admin for the person doing the legwork and stats and any stationary/copies costs). Your rules can be as tough or as easy as what the players vote on. For the most part, your prize monies are at least "paying for your habit". The ones with the tougher rules have the best players.
I play 5 nights a week. I run 2 leagues (1 is BCA sanctioned). One of my nights is an APA Double Jeopardy Division (8B & 9B matches going on at the same time) in order to be eligible to compete for Singles Nationals in both formats. That is just a personal goal - I want to return to Singles Nationals & do a better job than I did last time. So I choose to ignore the BS.
SO - questions:
Did you shortstops, A plus and pro players come out of the womb with a cue stick in your hands or did also start out as bangers with no clue about all the mental & physical aspects of our game(s) ??
Money - how many people in the world are actually really making a decent living playing pool. We are currently looking at a possible air barrell situation in the P.I. over the World 10 Ball Tourney. Are we all supposed to give up our jobs so we can spend the hours and hours it takes to perfect our game to your standards irregardless of our family responsibilities ??
Who do you think you are to pass judgement on how other people choose to enjoy our sport. As for me - you are not the boss of me (my cat is)
Suggestion: instead of being negative how about if you take some of your time and go find someone who is new to pool and teach them
Sorry this was so long - needed to vent. If there are any typos - TOUGH
OK - go ahead and blast me
PLEASE STOP LUMPING ALL POOL LEAGUES TOGETHER WITH THE APA
I believe there is room in our sport for every format of play. Somebody needs to keep the table builders & cue makers in business so that we ALL have the option to decide at what level we want to pursue our personal game - casual or serious.
APA - entry level players - a place for new players to participate without being embarassed because they don't know what they are doing. As they learn then they can choose to take it further or not.
issues: at 260,000 - 270,000 players that equals $6,500,000 - $6,750,000 ($25 each for 2009 fee) PLUS whatever portion they get from the League Operators take. The percentage paid back to the players (their customers) is chump change. Do they contribute any prize monies to the WPBA now that they have their name plastered all over their tournaments? If so - how much? If not - why not?
Bangers - of course there are bangers because they don't have a clue as to what they don't know about the game. But, you know what, there are jerks in all walks of life - you have to take the good with the bad.
League Operators - I'm not going to go there.
attitude - this is an area that really makes me shake my head. They act as if they invented pool - NOT - or they invented handicapping - NOT (how long has 9 ball been handicapped with balls/games?) In my area alone there are at least 2 leagues that I can think of (I run one of them) that has been around since the 60's.
BCA: the BCA players are much more knowledgable about the game and the whole "pool scene". Your league can be sanctioned by them, keep all of your "prize fund", maintain your own rules & still be eligible to go to a very large annual event that is played on good equipment.
Local Leagues: these are typically "money" leagues where all the money is given back to the teams based on performance (minus a normal 10% admin for the person doing the legwork and stats and any stationary/copies costs). Your rules can be as tough or as easy as what the players vote on. For the most part, your prize monies are at least "paying for your habit". The ones with the tougher rules have the best players.
I play 5 nights a week. I run 2 leagues (1 is BCA sanctioned). One of my nights is an APA Double Jeopardy Division (8B & 9B matches going on at the same time) in order to be eligible to compete for Singles Nationals in both formats. That is just a personal goal - I want to return to Singles Nationals & do a better job than I did last time. So I choose to ignore the BS.
SO - questions:
Did you shortstops, A plus and pro players come out of the womb with a cue stick in your hands or did also start out as bangers with no clue about all the mental & physical aspects of our game(s) ??
Money - how many people in the world are actually really making a decent living playing pool. We are currently looking at a possible air barrell situation in the P.I. over the World 10 Ball Tourney. Are we all supposed to give up our jobs so we can spend the hours and hours it takes to perfect our game to your standards irregardless of our family responsibilities ??
Who do you think you are to pass judgement on how other people choose to enjoy our sport. As for me - you are not the boss of me (my cat is)
Suggestion: instead of being negative how about if you take some of your time and go find someone who is new to pool and teach them
Sorry this was so long - needed to vent. If there are any typos - TOUGH
OK - go ahead and blast me
P.S - I forgot to add
Seems to me that some people just need to get over themselves and look at the entire picture and not just 1 inch past your own nose.
If you are not contributing something to keep the industry up and running then you need to GET OUT OF THE WAY
Seems to me that some people just need to get over themselves and look at the entire picture and not just 1 inch past your own nose.
If you are not contributing something to keep the industry up and running then you need to GET OUT OF THE WAY
Neil said:
There is no need to re-read your replies. It is obvious that you don't like leagues.
In response to your post, I have to say that all leagues do their share to promote pool simply through their existense. They provide a venue for every day people to play and enjoy a wonderful game. No, they really don't provide a stepping stone to higher levels of play, however, most of their members have no desire to play at higher levels.
I would have to guess that about 95% of the league players don't follow pro pool and they are not really interested in becoming great players themselves. Pool leagues give them a social setting where they enjoy playing a wonderful game. They are not looking for any stepping stones to higher levels of play. They are fine with playing once a week with their league friends. To them, it is just a nice night out. You will definitely not find them entering any tournaments and they know very little about the pro pool scene.
Mabe 4% try to improve their play, but they still don't have any intention of being high level players. They may or may not follow the pro pool scene and they may attend some tournaments, as spectators but never as players.
The remaining 1% are pool fans and follow the pro tours and they attempt to improve their own play. Only an extremely small percentage of those players have the desire to become pro caliber players. The rest simply enjoy playing good pool. Even at this level, these players may or may not enter tournaments. Not everyone is interested in tournaments.
All of these league players do a lot to keep pool rooms open. There is no doubt about that. You can knock them if you wish, but these are the people who are keeping pool alive.
BTW, a lot of league players know Johnny Archer as the guy who picks invisible lint off of the tables while playing.
:grin:Neil said:
The league players get bent out of shape because the non-league players continue to say that the league players are ALL drunks with no skill. This is simply not true. You can have a differing opinion, if it is true. As long as you perpetuate these myths, people will come out against you.
But how else can people demonstrate that they're a real a player other than bashing leagues -- especially APA???Meezer Girl said:
it's about the attitude in the presentation
unfortunately the "quote" button did not pick up the entire passage.
you said "who is passing judgement.............etc etc........"
your (& others) attitude comes across as "if you are not an A player then why are you even taking up space in MY pool world" and that league players "are ALL drunks, ALL bangers, ALL clueless about the entire scope of pool.
you said "who are you to pass........on all the APA players, you seemed to slam them pretty good"
I indicated my issues with the APA LEAGUE. I did indicate the bangers there because that is just a fact, I did not say EVERYBODY there is a banger.
I have also seen non-league bangers in POOL HALLS !!!!
I think you forgot to anwer a couple of my questions at the bottom of my post
Thank You for using some of your time to teach someone else
Neil said:
unfortunately the "quote" button did not pick up the entire passage.
you said "who is passing judgement.............etc etc........"
your (& others) attitude comes across as "if you are not an A player then why are you even taking up space in MY pool world" and that league players "are ALL drunks, ALL bangers, ALL clueless about the entire scope of pool.
you said "who are you to pass........on all the APA players, you seemed to slam them pretty good"
I indicated my issues with the APA LEAGUE. I did indicate the bangers there because that is just a fact, I did not say EVERYBODY there is a banger.
I have also seen non-league bangers in POOL HALLS !!!!
I think you forgot to anwer a couple of my questions at the bottom of my post
Thank You for using some of your time to teach someone else
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Ray Martin plays in my APA Masters League.....Ron
Not everyone in league is a drunk or even most in fact I know several who do not drink including myself... I myself sometimes find it amusing to watch the drunks they can be very funny at times but also very annoying ... And not everyone in a league is ignorant of pool some of us follow the game and have a love for it ... Yes I know who Archer is he is my favorite player in the Pro's today I love watching him play and he has kind of replaced Nick Varner for me now that Nick has gotten older.
League is only a small part of my pool world ... Please don't lump all pool league players into one catagory ... I enjoy league as it is different and fun and I also enjoy playing the highest level player I can ... And I enjoy traveling to do it ... I enjoy having friends to my house to play on my own table... Hell I even host tournaments in my house ... I travel to Macon to play in tournaments where players that have been in the world tour play it don't mean I can beat them but I believe playing this level of competition will improve my game... I doubt you will find very many league players here on AZ that do not take the game seriously ...
I don't have a stable of fine cars or mansion ... But I don't look dowm my nose at anyone ... And as much as I love pool and strive to be my best and take it serious and learn as much as I can to improve ... When the day comes that I am no longer having fun and enjoying the game I love I will hang up my cue and walk away... I hope that day never comes... I love the game as much as fatboy and Niel and I don't begrudge or look down on them for not liking league or how they feel about league so please don't begrudge me or pass judgement on me becuase I do enjoy league... Don't lump me in a group I am just as much of a individual as either of you...
League is only a small part of my pool world ... Please don't lump all pool league players into one catagory ... I enjoy league as it is different and fun and I also enjoy playing the highest level player I can ... And I enjoy traveling to do it ... I enjoy having friends to my house to play on my own table... Hell I even host tournaments in my house ... I travel to Macon to play in tournaments where players that have been in the world tour play it don't mean I can beat them but I believe playing this level of competition will improve my game... I doubt you will find very many league players here on AZ that do not take the game seriously ...
I don't have a stable of fine cars or mansion ... But I don't look dowm my nose at anyone ... And as much as I love pool and strive to be my best and take it serious and learn as much as I can to improve ... When the day comes that I am no longer having fun and enjoying the game I love I will hang up my cue and walk away... I hope that day never comes... I love the game as much as fatboy and Niel and I don't begrudge or look down on them for not liking league or how they feel about league so please don't begrudge me or pass judgement on me becuase I do enjoy league... Don't lump me in a group I am just as much of a individual as either of you...
Neil said:
Norm and Rhona usually have a MPT flyers in our league envelopes.
But I do agree with ya on that fact that for the most part leagues do little to encourage pool playing outside of league but then again leagues, for the most part APA, is more about people getting together one night and shoot pool and drink. Its more of comraderie centered versus pool centered. I can't speak for BCA because I haven't shot in it. Most league players don't care what is happening in pool outside of their league night whether it be local or the pros.
Most of you guys are taking way out of context of what Neil is saying.
Most of this is just stereotyping or the "typical" league shooter. Either way IMO doesn't mean it bad either way whether a person chooses take pool seriously or just have fun with it one night out of the week. Like I said, this stuff goes both ways.
-Kyle