Questions about BCA new PRO venture

[Kid Dynomite]

I thought a new thread would be better to ask specific questions then having them drown in the other ones:

#1. I am not a pro but close and want to know how this new venture attracts or affects some semi-pro's that will enter or are they welcome? Names like Danny Green, Ryan McCreesh, Pooky Rosmallogn, Jerry Slivka, Brandon Shuff, Matt Clatterback & etc. These are my local top dogs and are they welcome and do they have to do something to be included? They are all top Planet-pool players and is there any out reach to them and how is a pro being defined??????????

 

[UrackmIcrackm]

They are all welcome. In another thread Mark said he wanted to hear from 500 pool players, not just the top ranked guys. Tell them to email Mark and give him their name, address & contact number. If they don't have access to email, do it for them.

markg@playbca.com

Just to clear up any confusion, this is not the "BCA". This is the BCA Pool League. The BCA sold the league to Mr. Griffin quite a few yrs ago.


One more clarification... The planet pool tour now has a title sponsor and is called "The Tiger Tour". (Got to give all the kudos we can to the companies that step up and support tours, amateurs, and pros alike)

 

[Fragged]

Everyone is welcome but I think you may have to agree to do some promotional work for the BCA Leagues from what I gather. The UPA hasnt spoken up. There is a loooooooooong way to go on this and I am sure it will be interesting.

How does Mark stand on drug testing?

 

[UrackmIcrackm]

Everyone is welcome but I think you may have to agree to do some promotional work for the BCA Leagues from what I gather. The UPA hasnt spoken up. There is a loooooooooong way to go on this and I am sure it will be interesting.

How does Mark stand on drug testing?

Yes, there is a long way to go and it will be interesting in a positive sense, not a drama sense.

He did not mention drug testing and I don't know if that will factor into his plans or not. What I do know is that first & foremost, Mark is a business man. He takes great pride (rightfully so) in being known as a reputable business man. Whatever he does, I can assure you that once he rolls it out and is ready to go live, things will be well thought out, well planned, and will be run just as he runs all of his other business ventures... smart. He is not a small time, self employed, wealthy by inheritance man. He owns many business ventures and has many, many employees. He will do this the right way and it will be set for success from the get go, not like many others before him that had poor (if any) business plans that were set to fail before it ever got started.

 

[mantis99]

How will this affect what Mike Janis is doing?

 

[sunnyday]

Win - Win situation for both

How will this affect what Mike Janis is doing?

Why do you sound like they are competing? They are not competing for the same trophy..but a different division, if you will. I think, more the merrier. Double the exposure for pool,for the pros, industry and business owners...

S.

 

[UrackmIcrackm]

How will this affect what Mike Janis is doing?

Why do you sound like they are competing? They are not competing for the same trophy..but a different division, if you will. I think, more the merrier. Double the exposure for pool,for the pros, industry and business owners...

S.

I don't think many of us have been privy to the actual game plan that Mr. Janis has in mind. While most are not privy to Mr. Griffin's game plan, there are some of us that are familiar with what he plans to do. What I did gather from the post Mr. Janis made, his idea, while somewhat similar, is still different. It appears that Mr. Janis is trying to get everyone involved with players of all levels to step up and work together to establish a farm system (like any minor league system) that will funnel players & into pro pool and make pool more attractive to sponsorship as a whole.

It looks like Mr. Griffin is establishing a pro tour that is funded by one of his business ventures and players of all levels will be included in that business venture, hence the amateur & pro participation.

Mr. Griffin is looking at a business system to fund a tour while Mr. Janis is looking to form a farm system that feeds into a pro tour.

If I am correct in this assumption, there's no reason why the two of them cannot come together at some point in time. Mr. Griffin is coming up with a way for a pro tour to be self supporting. Mr. Janis could come up with the farm system (qualifying) to fill the open spots on the tour that Mr. Griffin will be running.

I personally would like to see a farm system like what the WPBA has. Right now all a guy has to do to become a "pro" is to pay a $100 fee to the UPA. I would prefer that a pro earn their pro status by playing ability, not by buying a membership card. Earning pro status is much more self rewarding and doesn't take anything away from the true pro level players. I'm a C player on a normal day and a B player at best. If I were a pro player, I would be annoyed at the fact that a guy like myself can walk around & tell everyone I'm a "pro" by whipping out the UPA card that I got by simply paying $100.

 

[Flex]

While I have never met or heard Mark Griffin (perhaps there's a youtube video of him speaking, if so, would someone please post it?) I have heard and spoken with Mike Janis at length on one occasion. Mike Janis has a very strong personality; he likes to be top dog, IMHO. Someone might call that a "Type A" personality.

What's Mark Griffin like? Is he the "top dog" type too?

If so, two "top dogs" may clash with each other.

I'm all ears.

Flex

 

[JCIN]

One thing that seems to keep being thrown out there is that this new plan is based on using the existing BCA Pool Leagues as a foundation. This is not true.

I realize it is futile to ask people to wait for all the info to come out but if you do not KNOW 100% that something is true please just wait before posting that info.

 

[JCIN]

While I have never met or heard Mark Griffin (perhaps there's a youtube video of him speaking, if so, would someone please post it?) I have heard and spoken with Mike Janis at length on one occasion. Mike Janis has a very strong personality; he likes to be top dog, IMHO. Someone might call that a "Type A" personality.

What's Mark Griffin like? Is he the "top dog" type too?

If so, two "top dogs" may clash with each other.

I'm all ears.

Flex

I have met both men and in my experience their personalities are very different. I agree that Mike is very motivated and outgoing a "Type A " personality. Mark is just as motivated but more reserved my experience.

 

[Rubyron]

In another thread Mark said he wanted to hear from 500 pool players, not just the top ranked guys.

I Pm'd him about this and the following is a quote from his reply. I'm sure he has contact info for more than 500 players through BCAPL.

Now, I am looking for ways to contact the top 500 or so players in the US.

 

[JCIN]

I Pm'd him about this and this is a quote from his reply. I'm sure he has contact info for more than 500 players through BCAPL.

He is looking for contact info on the TOP 500 players in the US. Many who fit that bill are not in the BCAPL data base I am sure. I think what he is asking for is that any top level player, not just those ranked in whatever rankings it is we have now, who are interested in this to contact him personally for more information.

If you are a player or know one who is a solid player in regional or national events and are interested in what Mark has to say contact him directly at markg@playbca.com He said repeatedly in Vegas that he is happy to answer players questions.

 

[UrackmIcrackm]

I Pm'd him about this and this is a quote from his reply. I'm sure he has contact info for more than 500 players through BCAPL.

My apologies for not clarifying. When I say "top players" I mean the current ranked top pro players. In my mind, which I didn't convey, is the top 40 players that are always in the tournaments.

All the players that Kid Dynomite mentioned fall into the top 500 players. I know them and they're good players. They all have beat my version of a top ranked player before and are subject to do so at any given time. I would say that most fall under the "short stop" category which is what Mr. Griffin is looking for.

 

[Flex]

My apologies for not clarifying. When I say "top players" I mean the current ranked top pro players. In my mind, which I didn't convey, is the top 40 players that are always in the tournaments.

All the players that Kid Dynomite mentioned fall into the top 500 players. I know them and they're good players. They all have beat my version of a top ranked player before and are subject to do so at any given time. I would say that most fall under the "short stop" category which is what Mr. Griffin is looking for.

I know several in the Chicago area who probably are Brandon Shuff's speed, but who likely don't have email. Some of them almost seem to live in pool rooms or bars, hustling to eke out a good dinner or a bit more. Not really sure if those guys would be interested in what Mark Griffin's trying to set up. Does he want hustlers calling him?

Flex

 

[Mark Griffin]

Hustlers???

Yep - Hustlers are just fine. A little color never hurt the game.

There will be conduct and dress codes - so if you can't behave, you can't play.

I just want players to respect the other players in the event.

This is not a "pick & choose" like the IPT. This will be done strictly on playing ability.

Man or woman. Just pocket balls. The game will be 10 ball - call shot.

Questions, please contact markg@playbca.com - I'll answer them the best I can.

Mark Griffin

 

[GG11]

Yep - Hustlers are just fine. A little color never hurt the game.

There will be conduct and dress codes - so if you can't behave, you can't play.

I just want players to respect the other players in the event.

This is not a "pick & choose" like the IPT. This will be done strictly on playing ability.

Man or woman. Just pocket balls. The game will be 10 ball - call shot.

Questions, please contact markg@playbca.com - I'll answer them the best I can.

Mark Griffin

This all sounds like a great step up in the pool world. 10-ball called shot definitely helps take care of some of the garbage in the game. Good call.

 

[smashmouth]

Yep - Hustlers are just fine. A little color never hurt the game.

There will be conduct and dress codes - so if you can't behave, you can't play.

I just want players to respect the other players in the event.

This is not a "pick & choose" like the IPT. This will be done strictly on playing ability.

Man or woman. Just pocket balls. The game will be 10 ball - call shot.

Questions, please contact markg@playbca.com - I'll answer them the best I can.

Mark Griffin

I like very much,

my .02,

-ban jumping or jump cues
-longer races
-use your influence with Diamond and have them build 10 foot tables,
that's right, 10 footers baby!

 

[Cuebacca]

One minor request regarding call shot 10-ball....

The game will be 10 ball - call shot.

Hi, Mark. Please consider allowing the incoming player to pass the table back when a ball is pocketed on a called safety or on a slop. If the lowest numbered ball can be pocketed on a safety, it can make the safety too easy to play, since one doesn't have to control the speed of the object ball.

I'm sure there are much more important concerns to deal with right now, but thought I'd throw it out there as something to consider when you have a chance.

By the way, congratulations on your new venture, and thank you for all you do for pool!

 

[worriedbeef]

I like very much,

my .02,

-ban jumping or jump cues
-longer races
-use your influence with Diamond and have them build 10 foot tables,
that's right, 10 footers baby!

I COMPLETELY VEHEMENTLY 100% DISAGREE with banning jump cues. They're part of the game and an extremely skillful shot done well.

But the rest of your two cents is brilliant.

Longer races are a given, and I really have a hunch 10 footers could be the table for the future for the professional game. I really hope this is given some serious thought. I mean it ties in with the whole idea behind moving to ten ball - evolving the game and pushing it forward.

maybe greg from diamond could possibly chime in with his opinion here as well. maybe even an action report game with a ten footer to showcase them! I'd love to see Shane spear some balls in 100mph on a ten footer! I can just imagine now, Shane vs the Lion III, on a sweet ten foot table!

 

[ironman]

I COMPLETELY VEHEMENTLY 100% DISAGREE with banning jump cues. They're part of the game and an extremely skillful shot done well.

But the rest of your two cents is brilliant.

Longer races are a given, and I really have a hunch 10 footers could be the table for the future for the professional game. I really hope this is given some serious thought. I mean it ties in with the whole idea behind moving to ten ball - evolving the game and pushing it forward.

maybe greg from diamond could possibly chime in with his opinion here as well. maybe even an action report game with a ten footer to showcase them! I'd love to see Shane spear some balls in 100mph on a ten footer! I can just imagine now, Shane vs the Lion III, on a sweet ten foot table!

I have a suggestion for the jump cues. Let them keep you warm by turning them into fire wood.