Let's Bring The Discussion Of Pool Player As Job Over Here

[SJDinPHX]

These "What is wrong with pool" threads, seem to bring about more conflicting viewpoints, than even the frustrating "Aiming system" debacles !..This forum is comprised (for the most part) of some very intelligent minds, who have a wealth of experience, on a variety of different subjects. All are joined by a common passion... A love and appreciation for the game of pool.

It is obvious the industry 'insiders' are aware of the built-in limitations that exist in pool, with regards to the game EVER enjoying universal appeal as a spectator sport !..One of them expressed his knowledgable opinion, in a well worded statement, that I thought would be a "thread ender"...I was wrong !...As best I can recall, these were his words;

"AZB has over 40,000 registered members, and tens of thousands of lurkers/visitors from other forums.. A free stream, of the best players on the planet, would be lucky to get 2,000 viewers !.. So if you cant get 5% of the people, who register on a pool site to watch for free, just how many normal/average people do you think will bother to check out two guys knocking balls around a table ?" (especially when they are almost all 'straight in' )

So, until the next "whats wrong with pool" thread, I find it very hard to argue with that logic.. Unfotunately, Pool is just NOT an exciting spectator sport...This could be why its ranked somewhere between Bowling and Fishing !...However, I feel the same about Baseball...Always LOVED to play it, but get bored watching it after about 5 minutes..:sorry:

 

[JAM]

These "What is wrong with pool" threads, seem to bring about more conflicting viewpoints, than even the frustrating "Aiming system" debacles !..This forum is comprised (for the most part) of some very intelligent minds, who have a wealth of experience, on a variety of different subjects. All are joined by a common passion... A love and appreciation for the game of pool.

It is obvious the industry 'insiders' are aware of the built-in limitations that exist in pool, with regards to the game EVER enjoying universal appeal as a spectator sport !..One of them expressed his knowledgable opinion, in a well worded statement, that I thought would be a "thread ender"...I was wrong !...As best I can recall, these were his words;

"AZB has over 40,000 registered members, and tens of thousands of lurkers/visitors from other forums.. A free stream, of the best players on the planet, would be lucky to get 2,000 viewers !.. So if you cant get 5% of the people, who register on a pool site to watch for free, just how many normal/average people do you think will bother to check out two guys knocking balls around a table ?" (especially when they are almost all 'straight in' )

So, until the next "whats wrong with pool" thread, I find it very hard to argue with that logic.. Unfotunately, Pool is just NOT an exciting spectator sport...This could be why its ranked somewhere between Bowling and Fishing !...However, I feel the same about Baseball...Always LOVED to play it, but get bored watching it after about 5 minutes..:sorry:

I actually think pool can be exciting to watch as a spectator sport IF -- and this is a big "if" -- the viewing public knows more about the competitors as people with families, their lives, what's their favorite food, do they have a pet, et cetera.

The emotionless robots competing in one-on-one matches might be okay for a stone-cold pool aficionado that will watch pool on their computer, say, for 6 hours at a time, but most people, even some pool enthsiasts, won't do it.

If there was more emotion and color brought to the fore between the players, it could have the effect of drawing more people in. I know who, as one hypothetical example, Francisco Bustamante is. In fact, we are friends. I would be more inclined to sweat a match with Bustie if the publicity beforehand revealed what was currently giong on in Bustie's life or his opponent. Plus, I think the commentators could help in this regard, if they do their homework before the game begins, by finding out this type of information and sharing it on the air with the public.

If the spectator feels a bond with the player, whatever that bond may be -- they each like westerns on TV, tacos are their favorite food, they have a bird as a pet -- well, it will help attract more people, I think.

Pool today in many tournaments and matches are quite boring. Two guys going through the movements and most people don't know much about them. THIS AREA needs improvement, and I think it would help bring a little personality into pool, which is sorely needed today.

 

[JCIN]

This is the argument I made in another thread; pool should offer the sports networks a "highlight reel" of a tournament, 22 minutes that summarize the event. That way it can be fast-paced and make the game exciting for the viewer.

Regarding JCIN's idea that amateurs should contribute to the professional prize funds: The reason I object to it has nothing to do with pro's behavior; I couldn't care less how they behave. But there isn't one other sport -- major or minor -- that I can think of where amateurs are "taxed" so the pros can be paid. Does Little League baseball pay a fee to MLB? Does high-school football pay the NFL? Can you think of one sport where this happens? I think a "fee to the pros" would harm the amateur sport (the more something costs, the less of it you'll get) without providing any benefit to the pros.

The IPT tried the highlight thing. I don't know if they just did it badly but it was brutal to watch for me. Its possible to cut pool like poker I have just never seen it done well.

As to the amateur to pro league thing if I was king it would be upfront and sold as point of pride. The money taken would be in the realm of pennies. .50 cents a week would do the trick. For that people would get a sense of community. They would sooner or later know a player from their area that made it as a pro. The only people eligible to get that money would be people who went through the system to qualify. No outside people can come in and just take the money. The pros would have to give back to the leagues via clinics and appearances to help the amateurs. If someone doesnt believe in that then the system would not be for them.

The possibilities for local area tie-ins and grass roots involvement in who is the best of the best in the system would be something the game has never seen before. It is quite possible though that the people who play pool leagues really dont give a shit about anything other than staying a 4 and snapping off the local league to make that $300 year end score or just having an excuse to get out of the house on Tuesday night and fire back a few drinks. The APA has catered to that market and they are wildly successful.