Mosconi Cup Trivial Gripes Clearinghouse...

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

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Here's where we can share our nit-picky complaints regarding Mosconi Cup 2011. You know, the kind that pales in comparison to the substantive gripes we've all been reading about.

Here's an example of one that drives me crazy:

All of the competitors, both on Team USA and Team Europe, know well in advance that they've made their team, right?

Then why do so many of their sponsorship patches look like they're about to fall off their shirts and onto the floor?

Johnny, it's okay if you want to wear two scorpions - but one scorpion shouldn't be at a thirty degree angle... :p

Is it too much to ask that the players have their sponsorship patches sewn on?

I don't like it, but I can at least understand how when a player does well in a particular tournament, they may be approached by a sponsor who wants exposure and so they make a deal, and slap one of their peel & stick patches on the player's shirt. But c'mon people, not at The Mosconi Cup. :confused:

Win or lose, who cares, but look sharp doing it! :thumbup:

So, what's your trivial, nit-picky, complaint? :wink:

Best,
Brian kc
 
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JA had three Scorpion patches on.
Two opposing each other on his left side and one on his back.

And when they interviewed a member of the opposing team, I couldn't understand what they were saying. At least have the courtesy of picking members for Team Europe that don't have a funny accent.

Other than that, I thought it was a wonderful tourney.
The part that I enjoyed most about it was that Charlie Williams was the Captain and I got to see my all time favorite player, Shawn Putnam play. :rotflmao1::rotflmao1:
 
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Here's another:

You're playing on the world stage in Mosconi Cup action.

You're mic'd up so everyone can hear your interaction with your partner.

Stop whispering! You aren't giving up any secret strategies to your opponents.

The end result will be whatever it is and either your team will keep shooting or your opponents will be coming to the table.

There's really nothing to hide. :wink:

Any other petty complaints?

Best,
Brian kc
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Here's where we can share our nit-picky complaints regarding Mosconi Cup 2011. You know, the kind that pales in comparison to the substantive gripes we've all been reading about.

Here's an example of one that drives me crazy:

All of the competitors, both on Team USA and Team Europe, know well in advance that they've made their team, right?

Then why do so many of their sponsorship patches look like they're about to fall off their shirts and onto the floor?

Johnny, it's okay if you want to wear two scorpions - but one scorpion shouldn't be at a thirty degree angle... :p

Is it too much to ask that the players have their sponsorship patches sewn on?

I don't like it, but I can at least understand how when a player does well in a particular tournament, they may be approached by a sponsor who wants exposure and so they make a deal, and slap one of their peel & stick patches on the player's shirt. But c'mon people, not at The Mosconi Cup. :confused:

Win or lose, who cares, but look sharp doing it! :thumbup:

So, what's your trivial, nit-picky, complaint? :wink:

Best,
Brian kc
Click to expand...

Brian,

Poolplayers, most of which are penniless, cannot afford to have the only two or three shirts they still have on their backs plastered with patches. Geez, if they wore one of these into an airport or a McDonalds restaurant, mothers would be pulling their children up closer to them and many people would spit on them for the atrocious lifestyle that they lead. Therefore, the removable patch is the best solution.

The sponsors could of course donate some team shirts with real patches sewn on, but with the current recession and the many failings in the billiard industry, these tight-assed individuals are gonna hug onto every penny they own so they won't have to give up their Lexus's and vacation homes in Colorado.

FWIW, here's what drives me crazy: When the MC is held over in Europe, the atmosphere inside the arena reminds me too much of a BAD night in an APA handicap league :sorry:!!!

Maniac
 
Internet peanut gallery pool fans have unrealistic expectations. They politely say they want the players and the crowd to be be on their best behavior. However, what they really want is to see a pool match reminiscent of the World Wrestling Federation, where the players insult and fight each other, the players shark and cheat even with the referees watching them, and the rowdy, boisterous crowd whoops it up and taunts the players into missing the shot. ;)
 
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couple of gripes....

can we use a break speed indicator instead of the stupid soft break stipulation? so lame!...you should NEVER have to turn the table over after making a ball on the break...EVER.

how about keeping the pairing secret til right before the match starts? you get to put your player in unknown to the other captain beforehand.

SVB and Johnny.....STOP WITH THE CUT BREAK.....you guys have the best breaks on the planet......use them.....flash back to the end of the Donny Mills match Shane!
 
Referee Michaela Tabb;

Why isn't she wearing a black referee miniskirt?

And Ken Schuman, a speedo, for that matter. :grin-square:

Okay, maybe just Michaela.

Ratings, baby, ratings...

You would think that the Brits, who are very good innovators in sports and reality tv would have had this one figured out a long time ago... :)

Best,
Brian kc
 
I was used to JA being wiry, thin but strong.
Now he's got a stomach hanging over his belt.
Must have been going to Shawn's hangouts.
 
Shows you the state of pro pool and how skinny sponsorship deals are that patches are always safety pinned on, sort of like how mommy did to make sure we didn't lose our mittens. The sponsor is providing only the patches but not willing to fork out for the cost of a 1/2 dozen shirts.

Here's my trivial gripe - What was up with the Europe team insignia carpeting when we were the home team?

Also, anyone know if the two guys in the stars and stripes tights are AZ members? :embarrassed2:
 
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DogsPlayingPool said:
Shows you the state of pro pool and how skinny sponsorship deals are that patches are always safety pinned on, sort of like how mommy did to make sure we didn't lose our mittens. The sponsor is providing only the patches but not willing to fork out for the cost of a 1/2 dozen shirts.

Here's my trivial gripe - What was up with the Europe team insignia carpeting when we were the home team?

Also, anyone know if the two guys in the stars and stripes tights are AZ members? :embarrassed2:
Click to expand...

If I'm not mistaken, that was TATE & JohnnyT.

Best,
Brian kc
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Referee Michaela Tabb;

Why isn't she wearing a black referee miniskirt?

And Ken Schuman, a speedo, for that matter. :grin-square:

Okay, maybe just Michaela.

Ratings, baby, ratings...

You would think that the Brits, who are very good innovators in sports and reality tv would have had this one figured out a long time ago... :)

Best,
Brian kc
Click to expand...


Some good ideas. Perhaps to push some of this to it's logical conclusion -- given the promoter's stated desire to appeal to a younger demographic:

Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez should be the refs for future Mosconi Cups.

No one over 25 in the booth. Maybe we could get a couple of young rap stars to do the commentary. The game will get some street cred that way too.

No more pinned or duct-taped on sponsor patches. All sponsored players will get their sponsor's logo tattooed onto their forearms (both of them) and one on the back of their necks (for the overhead camera). Rodney can get a tribal :-o

Lou Figueroa
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Here's where we can share our nit-picky complaints regarding Mosconi Cup 2011. You know, the kind that pales in comparison to the substantive gripes we've all been reading about.

Here's an example of one that drives me crazy:

All of the competitors, both on Team USA and Team Europe, know well in advance that they've made their team, right?

Then why do so many of their sponsorship patches look like they're about to fall off their shirts and onto the floor?

Johnny, it's okay if you want to wear two scorpions - but one scorpion shouldn't be at a thirty degree angle... :p

Is it too much to ask that the players have their sponsorship patches sewn on?

I don't like it, but I can at least understand how when a player does well in a particular tournament, they may be approached by a sponsor who wants exposure and so they make a deal, and slap one of their peel & stick patches on the player's shirt. But c'mon people, not at The Mosconi Cup. :confused:

Win or lose, who cares, but look sharp doing it! :thumbup:

So, what's your trivial, nit-picky, complaint? :wink:

Best,
Brian kc
Click to expand...

Good point, Brian...

Me ? I would have liked to have seen a little more class on the part of the American team. Rodney's "street" comments ? Dechaine's offer to play some sets ? Charlie's "rolls" excuses ?

C'mon... You wanna be treated like a professional, then act like one...
 
Gerry said:
can we use a break speed indicator instead of the stupid soft break stipulation? so lame!...you should NEVER have to turn the table over after making a ball on the break...EVER.
Click to expand...

YES, I second this 100%. I saw players on more than one occasion smash the rack, make a ball, and only send one to the other end of the table... yet some of the balls went back and forth across the short length of the table a dozen times. Oh, but three balls didn't go across the head string or get pocketed, so it's the opponent's table. So lame.
 
Mickey Qualls said:
Good point, Brian...

Me ? I would have liked to have seen a little more class on the part of the American team. Rodney's "street" comments ? Dechaine's offer to play some sets ? Charlie's "rolls" excuses ?

C'mon... You wanna be treated like a professional, then act like one...
Click to expand...

Have to agree 100% on this one.
 
Hierovision said:
YES, I second this 100%. I saw players on more than one occasion smash the rack, make a ball, and only send one to the other end of the table... yet some of the balls went back and forth across the short length of the table a dozen times. Oh, but three balls didn't go across the head string or get pocketed, so it's the opponent's table. So lame.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more.
 
Gerry said:
couple of gripes....

can we use a break speed indicator instead of the stupid soft break stipulation? so lame!...you should NEVER have to turn the table over after making a ball on the break...EVER.

how about keeping the pairing secret til right before the match starts? you get to put your player in unknown to the other captain beforehand.

SVB and Johnny.....STOP WITH THE CUT BREAK.....you guys have the best breaks on the planet......use them.....flash back to the end of the Donny Mills match Shane!
Click to expand...

I agree the balls past the head string rule is not all that great but then why use a speed gun either if you should never have to turn over the table when you make a ball?

As far as the cut break goes, I don't think SVB/Mills were using the high rack in that match. Everyone, Europe included, was using the cut break. Apparently they all determined that was the best way to make the one in the side. I haven't seen the stats so I don't know for sure if Europe was more successful at this but I'll bet they were better coached and spent a lot more time practicing the break and getting the proper speed and cut angle down. Probably also spent more time learning to get shape on the two depending on where it was in the rack. I'd like to see the stats on this also.
 
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