No Pros at the BCA (Vegas) next year?

The sad part about it is that it's the only time in their lives that many pool players ever get to see professional players in competition. Without the tourney there with the amateurs, many players who would have been exposed to the pro players won't get that. So they won't learn the names of the players nor follow their careers nor see that pro players miss sometimes too! :eek:
 
SPetty said:
The sad part about it is that it's the only time in their lives that many pool players ever get to see professional players in competition. Without the tourney there with the amateurs, many players who would have been exposed to the pro players won't get that. So they won't learn the names of the players nor follow their careers nor see that pro players miss sometimes too! :eek:
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This is an excellent point, SPetty.

I'm optimistic about what Mark will come up with. (fingers crossed for something awesome!)

Melinda
 
So my question is - if this pro tournament is being held during the trade show that isn't open to the public - is the TOURNAMENT open to the public or not?

Now that I'm living a mere four hour-ish drive from Charlotte, I'd be inclined to drive up to watch such an event... but... am I allowed to?
 
A message to the BCA and Peg Ledman

Mark Griffin said:
The trade show is not open to the public. But since this is "made for TV" - it is a different situation.

This was not my decision. I am not the BCA (Billiard Congress of America-although I am a member of the Board). It is their event and they believe the event will serve them better in the trade show environment.
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What was preventing the BCA from making the existing event a "Made for TV" tournament? What better way to show the world how great our sport is when there are thousands of amatuers milling around the same building enjoying the game on so many levels. If not for those people the Trade show would not need to exist! If it is Corporate sponsorship that is dictating this then who are the sponsors that are embarassed by us amatuers?

Mark, This comment is not aimed at you, but as a businessman do you believe that this was the right move?
 
SPetty said:
The sad part about it is that it's the only time in their lives that many pool players ever get to see professional players in competition. Without the tourney there with the amateurs, many players who would have been exposed to the pro players won't get that. So they won't learn the names of the players nor follow their careers nor see that pro players miss sometimes too! :eek:
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Spetty,
well said.Lack of insight and long term strategy are ingrained in the subculture of pool.Some of the decisions made by the industry`s leaders/promoters/organizers of events/pro players have been self destructive.:cool:
 
I don't get this at all

Lucky Fish said:
What was preventing the BCA from making the existing event a "Made for TV" tournament? What better way to show the world how great our sport is when there are thousands of amatuers milling around the same building enjoying the game on so many levels. If not for those people the Trade show would not need to exist! If it is Corporate sponsorship that is dictating this then who are the sponsors that are embarassed by us amatuers?

Mark, This comment is not aimed at you, but as a businessman do you believe that this was the right move?
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Something everyone complains about is the lack of attendance at pro pool events. Usually the promoters have to work overtime just to make the stands look full. This is embarrassing for pool a a sport.

I was in attendance at the 2005(or maybe it was 2006 - the one at ESPN Zone in Times Square NYC). I was there on line pretty early because I wanted a good seat. Turns out I got to sit in the VIP section, why - because not only was attendance dismal, they didn't aven have enough VIP's to fill all those seats, so before the cameras started rolling they took half the crowd from the "bleachers" and let us sit in the nicer VIP side.

How is taking this event away from a venue with 10K avid pool players milling around to a trade show going to help the sport?

The trade show doesn't need to attract attention/drum up business by having a pro-pool event going on at the same time, this is not going to affect trade show attendance in the least. It will affect attendance at the BCA event though.

Personally I'm lucky enough to have a work related excuse to go to Vegas during that week (read free pool vacation). Last year work and the BCA event did not line up because the BCA was earlier than usual and work was later. I was really happy that this year they lined up again and I'm pretty peeved to hear this. I can't play in the event because I will have to work roughly 10 hours/day mon-thur, but I really enjoyed being a spectator.

Sigh...
 
As posted earlier, This was not Mark Griffin's or the BCAPL decision. This event was promoted and paid for by the BCA.

They have decided to move it to their Trade show - this year in Charlotte, NC.

I think they are making a mistake, however, their reasons are different than mine.

Let's just let it all shake out. We are committed to promoting pool for everyone. Even though we are an amatuer league, we still get involved in "pro events" and will continue to do so.

mark Griffin
BCAPL
702-719-7665
 
Mark Griffin said:
As posted earlier, This was not Mark Griffin's or the BCAPL decision. This event was promoted and paid for by the BCA.

They have decided to move it to their Trade show - this year in Charlotte, NC.

I think they are making a mistake, however, their reasons are different than mine.

Let's just let it all shake out. We are committed to promoting pool for everyone. Even though we are an amatuer league, we still get involved in "pro events" and will continue to do so.

mark Griffin
BCAPL
702-719-7665
Click to expand...

Mark,
Many thanks for all you do for pool.

This year a professional friend of mine INSISTED that I make the trip to Vegas for the extravaganza that was/is the BCA (very difficult for me to get time off work). I was told that there is no pool event like it in the world. I gave in to the pressure and attended for the first time. I was not misinformed; the combination (and sheer number) of amateurs, pro's, and vendors made it an unforgettable experience.

We all realize that this was not your decision, and we look forward to the BCA in whatever form it takes next year. Good luck.
 
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