Orange Ball/ Rockville
- Thread starter Black-Balled
- Start date
Looks like they figured out that pool doesn't pay the bills, like most pool rooms in the area.
Last I heard, Orange Ball was owned by seven or eight people. That can be a difficult business arrangement, i.e., too many Chiefs, not enough Indians, and everybody wants to get paid. :embarrassed2:
If Orange Ball is losing money, it could be the some of the partners want out. Nobody wants to keep pouring money into a no-win situation. :frown:
That's my experience too, but it has been a while since I been thru...hope it isn't true, but I am looking for a solid gold crown...!
well its high rent district for one and they put a lot of cash in to it ,every thing was put in new , so I am sure they either put up a lot of cash or had to take out a loan , either way it was not a good investment for their money, their was another room a couple streets down a few years before and it went out of buisness and farther down the champions went out of buisness but atleast it was sold and is still a room
onestroke
Because of travel and other obligations, I haven't patronized Orange Ball in months. I just went to the website and found the following:
"Due to Licensing Issues, Orange Ball will NOT be serving any alcoholic beverages until further notice. We are currently working hard on a resolution and hope to have this issue resolved soon! We will be open normal business hours for pool table play and food service. All ages are welcomed! We are truly sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused."
If they lost their liquor license, there's no way they could survive, imo.
--Steve
"Due to Licensing Issues, Orange Ball will NOT be serving any alcoholic beverages until further notice. We are currently working hard on a resolution and hope to have this issue resolved soon! We will be open normal business hours for pool table play and food service. All ages are welcomed! We are truly sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused."
If they lost their liquor license, there's no way they could survive, imo.
--Steve
I heard through the grapevine that they indeed lost their liquor license for selling alcohol to underage patrons.
How can they "work things out" - bribe somebody?
Never fear - Champions in Frederick may pick up the Weds night open 9 ball tournament.
I am not so sure about fredrick being a Ideal place for that wed night turny witch was the best weekly turney around based on stregth of average field
0ne stroke
What I heard was their liquor license was not "renewed". It was not taken away for any violation. They pretty much got screwed by the city of Rockville. That was over 2 months ago. I believe they finally have declared bankruptcy.
The Wednesday night tournament has moved down the street to Winston's Billiards (previously Champions of Rockville). New owner and the place is being improved.
Andy
The Wednesday night tournament has moved down the street to Winston's Billiards (previously Champions of Rockville). New owner and the place is being improved.
Andy
In addition to what Andy stated, I heard that some developers want that land to build some high rise buildings. It certainly appears that the developers have the inside track on this situation. IMHO, they may have filled some pockets to get what they want.
Well, I hate to see a room close, but there isn't enough office space in the DC area...:angry:
Friggin shame to be established and then squeezed out. I don't like it.
Friggin shame to be established and then squeezed out. I don't like it.
I heard the same thing last Friday...
mountainlion
Registered
Baltimore " buddy " dennis
Sorry to reply off topic. I came across this forum recently & twice have posted here hoping to reconnect with Buddy, who was an old friend of mine 40 years ago. We played together in Ocean City, Maryland; home of "three fingers " Ronnie Sypher - who could beat anyone on a 3.5 x 7 back then with the heavy rock. He also played well on reg tables.
Seeing some folks post here from Maryland area, I am hoping some locals
might know how to reach Buddy, and/or tell me something about him.
.............just a few names for you from my daze so you know I am legit...........Trees, Earl Schriver ( he busted me on my first trip to Westmont Billiards in Arlington, VA ), Weenie Beanie, Sarge & the Captain ( I got both of them ), Lefty Joe ( gave me expensive lessons in one hole,
Tom Hanney who i thought coulda/wouda/shouda,
3 finger Joe, Larry Sapia, Ed Taylor was a regular invader @ Chief & Sporty's room at that time, Monk & Mooney, Jersey Red, Peter Rabbit & Joe DiMazzio ( both spun whitey unbelievably well ), the Maryland State
Champ Richard Riggy who usually reduced Weenie's stack significantly from time to time , Richie Florence, the spirit, Dickie Steebins from Rochester NY ( lights out when in dead stroke) - and last of all - the best I ever saw from right here in Maryland, a fine gentleman who worked for Purdue Chicken in Salisbury ......... I played him straight pool on bitterly cold day. He came in, selected a house cue, and with his cold hands & keeping his work coat on ran 109 after my opening break.
Anyone who can help me get up with Buddy, I would very much appreciate your kindness & am thanking you in advance.
Mountain
Sorry to reply off topic. I came across this forum recently & twice have posted here hoping to reconnect with Buddy, who was an old friend of mine 40 years ago. We played together in Ocean City, Maryland; home of "three fingers " Ronnie Sypher - who could beat anyone on a 3.5 x 7 back then with the heavy rock. He also played well on reg tables.
Seeing some folks post here from Maryland area, I am hoping some locals
might know how to reach Buddy, and/or tell me something about him.
.............just a few names for you from my daze so you know I am legit...........Trees, Earl Schriver ( he busted me on my first trip to Westmont Billiards in Arlington, VA ), Weenie Beanie, Sarge & the Captain ( I got both of them ), Lefty Joe ( gave me expensive lessons in one hole,
Tom Hanney who i thought coulda/wouda/shouda,
3 finger Joe, Larry Sapia, Ed Taylor was a regular invader @ Chief & Sporty's room at that time, Monk & Mooney, Jersey Red, Peter Rabbit & Joe DiMazzio ( both spun whitey unbelievably well ), the Maryland State
Champ Richard Riggy who usually reduced Weenie's stack significantly from time to time , Richie Florence, the spirit, Dickie Steebins from Rochester NY ( lights out when in dead stroke) - and last of all - the best I ever saw from right here in Maryland, a fine gentleman who worked for Purdue Chicken in Salisbury ......... I played him straight pool on bitterly cold day. He came in, selected a house cue, and with his cold hands & keeping his work coat on ran 109 after my opening break.
Anyone who can help me get up with Buddy, I would very much appreciate your kindness & am thanking you in advance.
Mountain
I hear Anthony is selling one of his tables so he can put in more dart lanes. But I believe they're Medalists not GCs.
Mike
Ahh yes, quite a few left Arlington a bit lighter!
Then again, quite a few left a bit richer too!
I miss those days...
mountainlion
Registered
orangeball/rockville
Special indeed were the times back then.
I was very much saddened to learn Weenie Beenie had passed away. He brought the very best out in every situation.
Here's a Weenie story I've kept mostly to myself, but in respect & fond remembrance to him, I pass it on and hope you might like this truthful
recollection.
I was with Ronnie Sypher back in the early 70's. We traveled to a pool room in Anacostia, Va., where a wise person would not think of going, to see Weenie play the "Jockey" from San Francisco. We were busted & Ronnie luckily was selected to rack the balls during their pre-arrange 9 ball session on neutral ground. They were going back & forth and after about 2 hours play, one of the jockey's backers stuck a pistol in my face, pulled the trigger back and most menacingly asked me,
" what do you have to say about it. " Such was his reaction on overhearing me say "Jesus Christ" after jockey dismissed "stubby" from his racking privileges, because he was scratching repeatedly on his break.
Anyone knowing Weenie knew how generous Weenie was, especially after a score. Anticipating that as a way for us to recover something out of Weenie's winnings so we could get back in action, I could not restrain from mumbling those 2 words - which could have been my last.
The 9 ball gave way to a scene no one would believe unless they would have been there.
For all the cheese in the joint it was agreed they would play a 125 point straight pool match - winner take all.
After the 1st rack the score was 11 to 3 in favor of Weenie. He got into dead stroke and went 114 and out. The most amazing thing, even beyond looking right down the barrel of the pistol, was watching Beenie hit his top gear & cruise into auto-pilot. At about 75
on his run out, making ready for his break shot Weenie was slowly chalking his cue, and he looked over at the Jockey who was seated in an obvious nervous & agitated state. Weenie, looking straight at him said , " there once was a man named Weenie, who spilled some gin on his pennie. He wasn't uncouth - he added vermouth..........and slipped his darling a martenie. "
On hearing this Jockey, leaped out of his chair, jumped on a nearby roof supporting pole & catapulted himself up to the very top of the ceiling.
He proceeded to bang his head thereon with 3 or 4 good shots in the most frantic act of desperation on could witness in a pool room absent a situation involving a suicide, homicide - or both.
No one will ever grace the inner confines of a pool room like Mr. William
Staton. May the Almighty bless him as he hopefully rests in peace in the upper rooms.
Special indeed were the times back then.
I was very much saddened to learn Weenie Beenie had passed away. He brought the very best out in every situation.
Here's a Weenie story I've kept mostly to myself, but in respect & fond remembrance to him, I pass it on and hope you might like this truthful
recollection.
I was with Ronnie Sypher back in the early 70's. We traveled to a pool room in Anacostia, Va., where a wise person would not think of going, to see Weenie play the "Jockey" from San Francisco. We were busted & Ronnie luckily was selected to rack the balls during their pre-arrange 9 ball session on neutral ground. They were going back & forth and after about 2 hours play, one of the jockey's backers stuck a pistol in my face, pulled the trigger back and most menacingly asked me,
" what do you have to say about it. " Such was his reaction on overhearing me say "Jesus Christ" after jockey dismissed "stubby" from his racking privileges, because he was scratching repeatedly on his break.
Anyone knowing Weenie knew how generous Weenie was, especially after a score. Anticipating that as a way for us to recover something out of Weenie's winnings so we could get back in action, I could not restrain from mumbling those 2 words - which could have been my last.
The 9 ball gave way to a scene no one would believe unless they would have been there.
For all the cheese in the joint it was agreed they would play a 125 point straight pool match - winner take all.
After the 1st rack the score was 11 to 3 in favor of Weenie. He got into dead stroke and went 114 and out. The most amazing thing, even beyond looking right down the barrel of the pistol, was watching Beenie hit his top gear & cruise into auto-pilot. At about 75
on his run out, making ready for his break shot Weenie was slowly chalking his cue, and he looked over at the Jockey who was seated in an obvious nervous & agitated state. Weenie, looking straight at him said , " there once was a man named Weenie, who spilled some gin on his pennie. He wasn't uncouth - he added vermouth..........and slipped his darling a martenie. "
On hearing this Jockey, leaped out of his chair, jumped on a nearby roof supporting pole & catapulted himself up to the very top of the ceiling.
He proceeded to bang his head thereon with 3 or 4 good shots in the most frantic act of desperation on could witness in a pool room absent a situation involving a suicide, homicide - or both.
No one will ever grace the inner confines of a pool room like Mr. William
Staton. May the Almighty bless him as he hopefully rests in peace in the upper rooms.
mountainlion
Registered
ps.........anybody know anything about Baltimore Buddy........I'd like to contact him or at least know something from somebody knowing him. Thanx,
Too funny, thanks for sharing!
A few years ago when Fabio Patroni flipped out and started banging his head against the metal corner of a Gold Crown, we could have said "he went all "Jockey" on us" and you would have had an idea to what we were talking about.
I wish I could help you with information about your friend but I don't know him and am not in that area. I hope someone can give you some info soon. Thanks again for sharing the story, it was a good one.
mountainlion
Registered
crack & rack um
Hey crakum..........thanks for appreciating the story & your kind words about my friend.
If you really do not know my old friend "buddy" and you like to bet it up, send me the name & address of your favorite place to crakum & if I
can find him,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,we'll be right over to rakum..........just kiddin !!!!!!
mountainlion
Hey crakum..........thanks for appreciating the story & your kind words about my friend.
If you really do not know my old friend "buddy" and you like to bet it up, send me the name & address of your favorite place to crakum & if I
can find him,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,we'll be right over to rakum..........just kiddin !!!!!!
mountainlion