National Pocket Billiards Association

Donny Lutz

Ferrule Cat
Silver Member
I've mentioned in other threads that I played for a few years in the '70s in a National Pocket Billiards Association, based in Milwaukee.
I hoped to hear from others who had that experience.
Any league players my age in the Wisconsin area? (70, soon.)

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
 
Npba

I've mentioned in other threads that I played for a few years in the '70s in a National Pocket Billiards Association, based in Milwaukee.
I hoped to hear from others who had that experience.
Any league players my age in the Wisconsin area? (70, soon.)

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor

Come on guys! The NPBA ran from 1959 well into the '80s. They had teams mostly from WI, MN, IA, ILL and maybe Michigan. They had team tournaments every year in Milwaukee. Some great bar boxers played in those leagues. Must still be some around, no?

Donny L
PBIA/ACS
Wisconsin resident 1955-1960, 1961-1973, 1977-1987
 
I too played in the NPBA based in Milwaukee in the early 90's. I played out of northern IL, and for some reason we referred to it as the Milwaukee league. We used to go up to an end of the year tournament in Downtown Milwaukee. Absolutely love the tourney and the league. My fellow team members and I are actually back playing together again after a few years of no play. In fact, at leagues the other night we were talking about how much we enjoyed that league, how the lifetime handicaps actually worked, and all the matches were usually very close regardless of team skill level. All teams had a fair shot every night. Each one of us is actually on the hunt right now for a rule book and maybe even a scoring sheet from that league. We have decided that since all the leagues we have tried in the past couple years seem to all have their own major flaws, that we would like to start a new league in our area, and base it completely on the old NPBA out of Milwaukee. Who knows, maybe it could take off again and spread to Wisconsin and maybe even further. We aren't looking for profit, just to create a league that everyone would like to play in. If you or anyone else out there has a set of rules and or scoresheets from that league please share them with me. I really do want to make this happen in the near future.
 
NPBA Rule Book

I too played in the NPBA based in Milwaukee in the early 90's. I played out of northern IL, and for some reason we referred to it as the Milwaukee league. We used to go up to an end of the year tournament in Downtown Milwaukee. Absolutely love the tourney and the league. My fellow team members and I are actually back playing together again after a few years of no play. In fact, at leagues the other night we were talking about how much we enjoyed that league, how the lifetime handicaps actually worked, and all the matches were usually very close regardless of team skill level. All teams had a fair shot every night. Each one of us is actually on the hunt right now for a rule book and maybe even a scoring sheet from that league. We have decided that since all the leagues we have tried in the past couple years seem to all have their own major flaws, that we would like to start a new league in our area, and base it completely on the old NPBA out of Milwaukee. Who knows, maybe it could take off again and spread to Wisconsin and maybe even further. We aren't looking for profit, just to create a league that everyone would like to play in. If you or anyone else out there has a set of rules and or scoresheets from that league please share them with me. I really do want to make this happen in the near future.

I actually have the NPBA Rule Book!

I'm away from home just now, but when I get back I'll dig up the Rule Book and see if I can't post it here on AZ.
 
I played on a team with George Brunt, Kevin Stanelle, Dennis Reickel, and others for The Next Best Thing. I think it was in 1975+ 1976. The good old days.
 
NPBA was the best

Loved the lifetime handicap. Played in the tournament several times in the early 90's. Had the Chinese restaurant in the basement.

There was a ring game 10 ball on a practice table for $20/man. If memory serves, Rocketman ran like the first 6 racks with about 8 or 9 people playing. Pretty good haul before anyone else got a shot. I stayed patient and stayed in and ended up making a little bit of money.

I think that was the year Jeff Carter came back from Germany after winning the World tourney. Our team played his team. I had 2 breaks and ran both games, he had the other and ran that game. Proud moment for me!
 
N.p.b.a.

I played in that tourn. out of Clinton IA. with Yeager,Maresca,Maniccia, Sager. Used to be plenty of action .70,s and 80,S. The good old days!
 
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