Mosconi Cup Thread

[sniper]

Happy Birthday Doug!

Big Dave does do a spectacular job with your nine ball tour (WPBA take notes)

I don't think the EPBF will keep all the top European players from attending the DCC, the event is simply to lucrative for players that are struggling to make a living at the sport to miss out on.

Oh and thanks for all the awesome pics Jen, it looks like somebody finally has a picture collection that rivals Gremlins!

 

[JAM]

This just in...

It's a 4-to-4 tie so far!

Thanks for the kudos, Sniper. I adore the pictures I've gathered on the tournament trail. In case you haven't noticed (LOL), most of them do feature Keith!

I do enjoy Gremlin's pictures, which provide a unique insight into many of the international players I'm not as familiar with. Diana Hoppe, however, is the Big Kahuna when it comes to the best players' pics in the universe, covering a wide array of eras.

Shown below, my best Earl picture posing with my favorite photography candidate! (LOL)

When push comes to shove, The Pearl has always been a strong team player. Just smile, Earl, and the world will smile with you!

JAM

 

[JAM]

You're doing fine, Oklahoma!

Playing in the most prestigious tournament of his young career, 26-year-old Gabe Owen defeats one of England's finest, Snooker Phenom Steve Davis, giving the Red Team a 5-to-4 lead in the Mosconi Cup!

A few short months ago, Gabe Owen triumphs in Chesapeake Beach and captures the 2004 U.S. Open title, and now he's kicking butt in Amsterdam! Gabe is having a very, very good year. I'm sure glad he's on our side!

JAM

 

[JAM]

The Making of an American Champion!

Living in Washington, D.C., I'm a diehard Redskins fan. Although they haven't been hitting the mark lately (LOL), I still watch every single game and root my home team in. Win or lose, I stand by my beloved Skins and look forward to every single game.

This year I'm enjoying the Mosconi Cup, even if only from the porthole of my lowly computer. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all of the Red Team members, especially Charlie Williams.

Check out this factoid I just uncovered about Charlie Williams. It was in the year 1989, a short 15 years ago, the first BCA National Junior 8-ball Championship occurred in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1991, 70 youngsters competed for over $30,000 in college scholarships and prizes in the 14-and-under and 18-and-under divisions! (Those really were the good old days!).

In the 14-and-under division, a young boy by the name of Charlie Williams from Newport News, Virginia, advanced to the top of the winners' bracket. With the title, Charlie received a $3,500 college scholarship to the educational institution of his choice, a brand-new Kasson pool table, a Joss cue stick, a cue case by It's George, and several other prizes.

As an aside, in this same tournament in the 18-and-under division, there were a couple of other familiar faces. Max Eberle from Arlington, Virginia, rose to the top of the charts, defeating Chan Whitt from Lewisburg, West Virginia (What ever happened to Chan?) and future North Carolinean Champion Michael Coltrain. Along with his trophy, Max received a $3,500 college scholarship, a brand-new A.E. Schmidt pool table, a Joss cue stick, a cue case from American Vinyl Products, and several other prizes with a total value of approximately $8,000.

Charlie Williams has traveled the unchartered waters in this pool world. Everybody loves a winner, and Charlie has sat in the winner's circle on many occasions. For every winner, though, unfortunately there has be a loser. Most of us have experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. When one of our own stumbles, they need our support more than ever.

The Korean Dragon has come a long way in his young career and reached heights that some can only dream about. I give him a huge round of applause for representing the USA. Here's a high-five, Charlie. Win or lose, you are an American champion!

JAM

 

[vapoolplayer]

JAM, i believe that chan witt jr. died in a car accident.

 

[sniper]

Wow the US is really taking it to Europe they now lead 8-4, Ortmann and the boys better get their act together or they might get blown out of the water.

 

[DeadPoked]

Anyone ever think of Earl as being the Dale Earnhardt of pool? Sure as hell looks similar.

Anyways Charlie Williams is a nice enough guy but I think he should step aside in the Mosconi Cup. There are a lot of other players I think deserve to be there than him.

 

[JAM]

JAM, i believe that chan witt jr. died in a car accident.

I'm so sorry to hear that. I saw him do an exhibition when he was a youngster, maybe 10 or 11 years of age. He was a chubby little kid dressed up in a pressed black suit, white shirt, and tie. Very charming and captured the affection of all who watched him perform. May he rest in peace!

JAM

 

[JAM]

9 to 6, Red Team takes a commanding lead!

Looks like USA is in a good spot, 9 to 6, and tomorrow is the last day!

I would have loved to have seen that match with Marcus Chamat and Earl Strickland. The crowd must have became unglued when Marcus sunk the case 9-ball in for the win, and I can just picture Marcus jumping up and down with glee!

The Mosconi Cup is exactly the kind of event that makes pool exciting. It really sucks big time that Americans can't even enjoy seeing the USA take this baby to the winner's circle! This is a major event in the sport. Yet, there is not one mention in any national broadcast or newspaper.

Thankfully, the http://www.mosconicup.com website is up to date with the happenings. In one of the photos, Rodney's wife looks radiant sitting in the gallery, crossing her fingers, rooting for the Red Team.

I like the spirit of Team USA! This is what it's supposed to be all about!

JAM

 

[countessdracula]

Talk about a nightmare, Doug! At the Skins game, I chatted with Thorsten Hohmann briefly and inquired about pool opportunities in Europe. A man of very few words, reminding me of one of those Buckingham Palace guards, he did state that he felt there were, indeed, money-making opportunities here in the States for the Europeans.

When I asked him about the Asian tours, I was enlightened when I was told that citizenship is an eligibility requirement, i.e., Europeans and Americans need not apply! Yet, these guys sure do enjoy coming to the U.S. Open, BCA Open, and other American tournaments. What a pity they can't return the favor and have their events open to Americans, Europeans, and non-Asian-Pacific pool players around the world. It explains why I don't see Efren, Bustie, Alex, and the rest of the Filippino crew too often these days competing here in the States anymore.

Looks to me like some of the Asian tours want to limit their competition!
JAM

I am with you guys that there should be more events to play every week, that politics should be kept out of the game and that major events like the World Pool Championship should encompass the top players.

On the limitation set in Asian tours, I'm not sure with Euro tours but I guess it's also limited to Europeans. Even if the latter is not, I think it's ok that some events are limited to a group of people to know who's the best among them, among the other reasons like probably strengthening the sport in the region, fostering camaraderie among neighbors, etc.. Just as mosconi is limited to americans and europeans so are some events limited to a group of people.

I know that there are open events at least in Japan and the Philippines(RP). In RP 9 ball Open started only last year. There were Americans, Asians and Europeans. It was intended to be an annual event but the organizer had problems. Hopefully next year it will push through.

I can only speculate why Efren, Busti, Alex and the rest of the Filipino crew don't compete too often in the States anymore. Here it is: puyat sports, the one handling efren, busti, alex and some others has been strengthening the sport in RP since 2002 (?). If they can earn USD 10K before their home crowd, without spending for air fare and hotel accomodations, without being away from their families, etc., they have all reasons to join such events.

The DCC is a great event because it covers more than one discipline of pool. If I remember it correctly, Efren was the overall champion this year. I hope next year, he will successfully defend his title.

Going back to mosconi, yes it's 9:6 for USA but I hope team Europe will pull up some victories to give it a scintillating finish whichever team wins in the end. But i'm crossing my fingers that it'll be Europe.

 

[Macint0sh]

On the limitation set in Asian tours, I'm not sure with Euro tours but I guess it's also limited to Europeans.

The Eurotour is open to everyone. I can see how the national championships are restricted to citizens, but all other big events should be open to every nationality. Limiting them to holders of a certain passport is just bad for pool.

 

[Luke Riches]

Asian Tour

For your information the San Miguel Asian Tour is owned, promoted and broadcast by ESPN Star Sport, who broadcast to around 40 countries in Asia. There is no 'political' reason why they won't have non-Asian players in the events; just that their viewers are not so interested in non-Asian players as they are in their fellow countrymen. The ranking list is also used as a qualification for the World Pool Championship.

 

[JAM]

The Eurotour is open to everyone. I can see how the national championships are restricted to citizens, but all other big events should be open to every nationality. Limiting them to holders of a certain passport is just bad for pool.

Rodney Morris won a nice tournament over there in Poland, I think. I am not as familiar with the European tours, but Rodney did compete there and got himself a championship title for his endeavors! Rodney is on a roll!

The expenses related to traveling the globe are high. The Filippino star players are now enjoying a good tournament schedule, due to their homeland sponsors, State-side backers, Asian Tours, European Tours, and the sky is the limit.

It's kind of odd how politics takes its toll on the sport, and I believe it is doing more harm than good these days. One American lady player was invited to attend a high-profile event right here in the States, to compete with the men, but a very high appearance fee was requested for her attendance. Sadly, she did not compete because the hourly fee requested was higher than the promoters desired to pay.

As far as the Mosconi Cup, I adore Marcus Chamat. He's always so joyful and is the life of the party at any event I've seen him at. Niels Feijen of the Netherlands is another cutey pie, a fine representative for his country and the sport in general.

Even though I do admire our European comrades and have the greatest respect for their game, I'm pulling for the Red Team all the way. Go USA! Bring home the Mosconi Cup!

My favorite picture of Niels posing with Keith at the '03 Open. Out of all the world-beating players at the Open that year, I had my eye on Niels. He is an excellent tournament competitor and one to watch in times up ahead!

JAM

 

[JAM]

For your information the San Miguel Asian Tour is owned, promoted and broadcast by ESPN Star Sport, who broadcast to around 40 countries in Asia. There is no 'political' reason why they won't have non-Asian players in the events; just that their viewers are not so interested in non-Asian players as they are in their fellow countrymen. The ranking list is also used as a qualification for the World Pool Championship.

Which is why Alex Papyluan applied for dual citizenship, Philippines and Canada, so that he could enjoy the lucrative Asian Tours!

A very real fact in today's pool world is that American cue-makers can't produce enough cues to keep up with the demand overseas in these countries. Several cue makers in my area are so backlogged they have a waiting list. The opportunities seem to be more abundant in Asian-Pacific countries than the good old USA for some pool folk, the vendors.

Many Americans enjoy the production-made cues imported from overseas because of cost, and the overseas players like the American-made cues and are willing to pay top dollar for these masterpieces. Go figure!

JAM

 

[JAM]

The Eurotour is open to everyone. I can see how the national championships are restricted to citizens, but all other big events should be open to every nationality. Limiting them to holders of a certain passport is just bad for pool.

Wouldn't it seem prudent, then, for Barry Behrman to restrict the U.S. Open to citizens of the United States? We all know that ain't going to happen.

Many of our international friends have competed in the U.S. Open, and some have actually won the whole shebang: Efren Reyes and Ralf Souquet.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" is what is engraved on the Statue of Liberty in New York. Me living in the melting pot of the world here in D.C., I meet many international folk in a variety of non-pool-related venues. Whenever I run into a Filippino, every single one of them knows who Efren Reyes is, but they never heard of Babe Ruth, Vince Lombarti, or Magic Johnson.

The very fact that the Mosconi Cup is not worthy of mention in national media here in the States, print or broadcast, sucks a big egg. If it were the Filippinos vs. Europe, it most likely would have full live coverage in the Philippines.

Pool enjoys a strong popularity throughout the world, everywhere except here in America. If this trend continues, American players would be smart to leave the scene here and just become globe-trotters. Pool is not considered a sport in the U.S., and if you don't have one of the few pool industry sponsors in your back pocket, providing opportunities to compete, it is economically impossible to keep up with the tournament trail for a struggling, aspiring, talented American pool player.

Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be pool players. If you do, make sure they grow up in the Philippines, where a pool player can survive and be all that he/she can be.

JMHO, FWIW!

JAM

 

[crown]

Team USA is on a roll!!! and im glad rocket is doing awesome again this year!! it seems Team Europe cant figure him out!!

 

[JAM]

Rodney factoid

Team USA is on a roll!!! and im glad rocket is doing awesome again this year!! it seems Team Europe cant figure him out!!

Rodney is, indeed, having a great year. He won big at the $180,000-guaranteed Skins Billiards Championship, made it to the Top Four finishers, pocketing a cool 25 dimes, if memory serve me correctly. Rodney sponsored himself in this tournament, as did four other of the 16 competitors.

Rodney's persona brings a lot to the sport. On top of his game, he is very comfortable in front of the camera, and his relaxed demeanor complements his style of play. We may be witnessing Rodney entering the peak of his pool-playing career, noting his ease, confidence, and ability to adjust to varying playing conditions, a must if you're going to excel in this sport.

Look for the Skins finals to be aired on ESPN, January 2nd, 2005, consisting of these Mosconi Cup players: Rodney "The Rocket" Morris, The Dapper Dutchman "Niels Feijen," and Charlie "The Korean Dragon" Williams, who are now battling it out once again.

BTW, Rodney Morris has been playing with the same cue stick since 1994, a little factoid which I found interesting.

The score is now 10 to 6 at the Mosconi Cup! Thank you, Rodney!

I really like those beautiful traditional Hawaiin shirts he wears on occasion, displaying his pride for his heritage. He's the man of the year, in my book. Matter of fact, I think he's currently on the cover of Billiards Digest magazine wearing a Santa Claus suit!

JAM

 

[sjm]

Say it isn't so, Doug! Dag nab it, the sport suffers enough without politics entering the fray. I'd like to give that Gre Leenders an ear full, I tell you.

When I asked him about the Asian tours, I was enlightened when I was told that citizenship is an eligibility requirement, i.e., Europeans and Americans need not apply! Yet, these guys sure do enjoy coming to the U.S. Open, BCA Open, and other American tournaments.

Right on the money, JAM. America is called the land of opportunity for many reasons. It certainly looks like it for Asian athletes, too.

In the USA:

1) Chinese basketball player Yao Ming started in last year's NBA All-star game and he has emerged as one of the most popular players in the NBA.

2) Japanese baseball player Ichiro Suzuki broke the record for hits in a season playing for the Seattle Mariners this year. Ichiro is incredibly popular with the american sports fan.

3) Korean pool player Ga Young Kim won the WPBA US Open this year, to the delight of many America pool fans and her fellow WPBA pros.

Asian supremacism in pool is hard to digest, especaially in view of the fact that the doors are wide open to Asian athletes in America, and given the fact that Americans count some Asian athletes among their favorities. I'm proud to live in a country in which foreign athletes are not rejected on the basis of being "of less interest to the fans."

Giving foreigners opportunities is deeply embedded in American sports.

Supremacist Asian pool tours are an embarrassment to the pro game. Finally, to those in Asia who argue that it takes too much effort for an Asian woman to qualify for the WPBA, remember that players like Jennifer Chen, Ga Young Kim, and now Miyuki Sakai have availed themselves of the opportunity to qualify for the WPBA tour. What right do you have to complain when Asian tours legitimize the exclusion of Americans from its fields? In my country, we call that bigotry.

Asian pool wake up call -- diversity is a good thing.

 

[JAM]

...Asian pool wake up call -- diversity is a good thing.

America's pool world continues to provide an environment which respects and applauds players of all ethnicities. In this respect, by enhancing diversity, we are provided a better view of pool in all its glory. Too bad, though, we can't see it on TV!

Niels Feijen just won five games in a row against Johnny, making the score of the Mosconi Cup, 10 to 7.

Race to 5, anything can happen. Stay the course, Red Team. You're almost at the finish line. Bring home the Mosconi Cup!

JAM

 

[Buckster_uk]

10-8 USA

Marcus just beat Tony 5-3, all tight heading into the final session tonight, can't wait to see it unfold later on Sky, come on Europe!