There are "A" players that have mortgages, child support, two lovely daughters, work sixty hour weeks and still get out twice a week. I didn't say it was even play, that has to be honed in on by the league committee. But, my point is... after all of the time I've put into this game, I can't stand to hear someone complain that an "A" player only gave them one shot in a race to five. That is why he's an "A" player. Don't let him play, then. But don't let him play and then get mad when he does what he's supposed to do. I'd much rather play a good player even than have to give up four games and the eight to a guy who can run out. These rankings MAY promote pool, but they sure don't work in favor of the guy who has put his time in at the table. I DO agree that it isn't fair, nor fun to be "outmanned" and not know it. Once, the year that Rodney Morris won the US Open, he stopped in Raleigh and played some of the local tournaments. I was spotting him a game in a race to seven. He laid it down so well, I was woofing at him to play even after the tournament. Bottom line, though, a league can easily be regulated after seeing the caliber of player. Occasionally, just once in a while, someone can sneak through the crack. When handicaps are involved... there are never equal games. You can try, though. What about the "B" player who has the night of his life and all the balls spread perfectly and the opponent "A" player gets all the sh#$ rolls. Will the "A" player be mad. Probably. Will he complain about the "B" player. Or should he consider that he's the better player and maybe the other guy is improving. How many times do you hear the top players complain about the rankings? It's usually the guy who plays two hours a week and expects to win. If he expects to win and takes it so serious, then let him play 41, 000 hours and then he can complain. Or maybe, just play his own caliber and exclude anyone better so he has an equal chance. But, as we all know, you don't get any better playing people worse than you. You have to raise the level of competition to reach higher levels. Hey, if it's just for fun, don't take it so serious. If it's not "just for fun" then work at it, love it, live it.
I was subing for a buddy for league on friday. Its just a small 14 team 8 ball mixed league for c and b players. but anyway my point is I dont think I is very cool to have A or better players saying they are b or c players just so they can show off. And on top of all that my team had to give them 30 balls handicap so we really had no chance the guy ran 15 racks in a row. pretty impresive for a b-c player wouldnt you say.
