Cost is not an issue with pool.
Leagues and bar bangers not playing is not an issue with pool.
Issue is that there is no Pro organization and the general public does not care for the game outside of calling everyone that can make 3 balls in a row "Minnesota Fats" or a "Pool Shark".
That is why all of the "fixes" are for trying to get the pro events stable where the top players in the world can make more than 30k a year after expenses.
Although I keep hearing about players betting 10k sets so they must not be doing that badly since I think twice about toing to a $40 entry tournament and my household income is about 2x the national average.
Hang-the-nine, your post is revealing and can serve as the basis for finding a solution as can contributions from the many thoughtful comments posted here.
The original premise of this thread (one with merit), as I understand it (correct me where necessary Push&Pool) was that the world of pool would benefit from a grass roots, international, world-wide, all inclusive league that would build a base of play that would result in a popularity level that could fuel reality TV, sponsorship etc. that would pull professional level play with it.
macguy offered valid comment in terms of the need for there to be places to play. The need for family oriented, safe and welcoming places to play followed in the additional comments offered in the string. Golden flash made some good points in respect to the image of pool (maybe a little overstated from my point of view but valid when stripped of hyperbole). Cardigan kid’s statement that not everyone knows that there are professional players and the benefits of grass root development should be taken as good points added to the support of the original premise. Texdance also touched on some of the problems with league play and provided some useful comment. Unfortunately, the string almost became derailed but thankfully did not thanks to those that urged a return to a positive discussion and a lot of very good, very positive suggestions from a lot of sources.
I found Banks, Robin and Seabrook to be particularly positive in terms of adding to the other good comment.
Push&Pool, thanks for the topic as a catalyst for comment and thanks for the effort you have put in to keep it on topic.
Hang-the-nine you mention cost is not an issue. True to a point, cost is not THE issue but is an issue. Just as how any one of the many valid points made here not THE issue taken in isolation but each are an issue. Push&Pool started this thread with a premise that could be described by some as looking for a perfect solution in an imperfect world. If I was to take the best (of course only in my opinion and based only on my experience) of the suggestions offered and tried to tie them together in my perfect world. A world that includes grass roots play (I am a league player), an ability to play in an affordable, smoke free, stress free, safe and inviting environment many of these suggestions would support what I would find desirable.
Other suggestions, that I would not have necessarily thought of, would only add to my love of the game in a very positive way. I have been the beneficiary of very good players generously sharing their expertise with me to add to the enjoyment and understanding of the game. I would gladly pay this forward by giving of my time and my expertise to others entering the field.
The more one learns about the skill needed to play at the highest levels the more one can appreciate the true beauty and artistry of this sport and in doing so the fan base would expand exponentially to support the professional player.
Many years ago Cliff Thorburn, a Canadian snooker player and World Champion, achieved the first perfect game, a maximum break of 147, at a world snooker championship. I watched it on television many years ago and a, what I thought, to be a good player then commented that he could have done it also because each shot was quite easy. I didn’t agree but did not argue the point. Now I realize that it was a tremendous level of skill in moving the cue ball to where it needed to be was what made it look easy.
For professional pool to become a true spectator sport in North America the grass roots must engage and be educated. A lot of valid comment in terms of how that could be done appear here. Thanks again.
Jerry
My logic is mostly going in the direction that if we help create huge numbers of low level and casual players, a certain portion of those has to become more interested, educated, and eventually switch to more serious pool and/or spectating. Law of probability never lies.