R.I.P. - U.S. Open

[sjm]

Seeding is necessary. Promoters are the ones that want it, and players who've earned it deserve it. Tournaments should build to a climax and seeding helps it happen. Yes, the kinks need to be worked out in the seeding process to make it objective, but administered fairly, there is nothing wrong with seeding.

One very objective, though not perfect, approach would be to take the top sixteen finishers from the previous year's event and give them the top sixteen seeds this year. Play good this year, get seeded next year. Seems fair to me.

 

[cardiac kid]

Hi SJM,

How about the spectators who are unfortunate enough to only be able to watch during the week. Seeding means they'll only see the best versus at best a good player. Mike Zuglan has bypassed seeding for five years. The Joss events draw spectators each day because you might see Parica vs Immonen on Saturday. Then again, you might see Parica vs me! To me, seeding is just another way the strong stay that way. I choose to play in events where I have an even chance in the draw. Reno, Joss Tour, Viking, etc. There was speculation the DCC would be sanctioned by the UPA. Do the top guys get a one round exemption? Two buy backs? Forget about it!!!! If the promoter puts on a great event, both the players and spectators will want to come!

 

[vapoolplayer]

Hi SJM,

I choose to play in events where I have an even chance in the draw. !

play better, then you'll get seeded and have a great chance.......LOL.

j/k.....seeding has its ups and downs.

VAP

 

[JustPlay]

Seeding is necessary. Promoters are the ones that want it, and players who've earned it deserve it. Tournaments should build to a climax and seeding helps it happen. Yes, the kinks need to be worked out in the seeding process to make it objective, but administered fairly, there is nothing wrong with seeding.

One very objective, though not perfect, approach would be to take the top sixteen finishers from the previous year's event and give them the top sixteen seeds this year. Play good this year, get seeded next year. Seems fair to me.

In regards to seeding at the US Open, Berhman is the one who makes the call on that. Seeding all of the past champions is fair. The rest should be left up to chance of who they draw....Pro Bowling has no special seeding that I have ever seen...They play their groups and then single matches..

In pool I don't really see the benefits of seeding players other than some lesser known players getting a chance to play a champion..and a champion getting an easier match than anticipated early in the tournament..As far as being a fan is concerned it really doesn't matter..

 

[sjm]

In regards to seeding at the US Open, Berhman is the one who makes the call on that. Seeding all of the past champions is fair. The rest should be left up to chance of who they draw....Pro Bowling has no special seeding that I have ever seen...They play their groups and then single matches..

In pool I don't really see the benefits of seeding players other than some lesser known players getting a chance to play a champion..and a champion getting an easier match than anticipated early in the tournament..As far as being a fan is concerned it really doesn't matter..

A generally logical argument, Justplay, but the fan that cares is the one that only has enough time or money to attend the last two days of the Open. No fan should ever arrive to learn that they won't get to see Archer play because he lost to Rodney Morris in the first round and then Ralf Souquet in the third round of the loser's bracket. Seeding helps any event to build gradually to a climax , helping to ensure that the quality of play is highest at the moments where fanfare and media coverage are greatest.

 

[JustPlay]

A generally logical argument, Justplay, but the fan that cares is the one that only has enough time or money to attend the last two days of the Open. No fan should ever arrive to learn that they won't get to see Archer play because he lost to Rodney Morris in the first round and then Ralf Souquet in the third round of the loser's bracket. Seeding helps any event to build gradually to a climax , helping to ensure that the quality of play is highest at the moments where fanfare and media coverage are greatest.

Sjm,

A very excellent point and on that point alone is why seeding of top players is good in theory. If the US Open is to remain in "open" event than I only recommend seeding only the past champions. Fans and media coverage is very limited and low in attendance. I can never remember the last time espn (as well as local news stations) showed a live or soon after winning shot and the winner of the US Open (or any major tournament) or interviewed them on tv. Soccer in the US has just as many fans in attendence as pool, but yet, gets more live airtime than pro pool does and interviews with espn and on some local news stations around the country.

I guess seeding and having a tournament climaxing towards the end of its weekly duration (I think there is a bad joke in here..) will be widely reconized when large amounts of dollars are poured into pool from sponsors so guys like Strickland, Archer, Morris, Souquet and Reyes are household names and espn starts airing news worthly victories...Pool needs a Chris Moneymaker boost to lift it into the spot light..