Scott Frost Doesn't Show Up

[sjm]

I just read that Scott Frost had to forfeit his match and has, consequently, been eliminated, as a result of getting lost on the way to the convention center and arriving too late to play. He cut it unnecessarily close and paid a price.

It reminds me of how John Schmidt had to miss the WPC because he couldn't get a passport on time, despite the fact that it was known many months before that the WPC would be in Taiwan. He cut it unnecessarily close and paid a price.

With due respect to their wonderful pool games, I have to wonder "How can first tier professionals like these two be so clueless?" Simply amazing. You would think that great players like these who play a sport that has only a handful of big paydays in events open to all players wouldn't blow their shots with sheer stupidity.

These players have a lot of growing up to do. This is simply a matter of professionalism. Seriously, can anyone imagine Johnny Archer making this kind of mistake in a US Open or a WPC?

The paying fans were deprived of seeing a top player in action and certainly won't get a pro-rata refund. Professional pool players must act with professionalism if they wish to bring their sport to greater prominence. Most of them do, but Frost has given us all a crash course in how it's not done!

 

[JustPlay]

I just read that Scott Frost had to forfeit his match and has, consequently, been eliminated, as a result of getting lost on the way to the convention center and arriving too late to play. He cut it unnecessarily close and paid a price.

It reminds me of how John Schmidt had to miss the WPC because he couldn't get a passport on time, despite the fact that it was known many months before that the WPC would be in Taiwan. He cut it unnecessarily close and paid a price.

With due respect to their wonderful pool games, I have to wonder "How can first tier professionals like these two be so clueless?" Simply amazing. You would think that great players like these who play a sport that has only a handful of big paydays in events open to all players wouldn't blow their shots with sheer stupidity.

These players have a lot of growing up to do. This is simply a matter of professionalism. Seriously, can anyone imagine Johnny Archer making this kind of mistake in a US Open or a WPC?

The paying fans were deprived of seeing a top player in action and certainly won't get a pro-rata refund. Professional pool players must act with professionalism if they wish to bring their sport to greater prominence. Most of them do, but Frost has given us all a crash course in how it's not done!

SJM,

Scott Frost is a gambler first , gambler second and tournament player third. So most likly he was gambling all night. The money doesnt mean much to him because he comes from a wealthy family, however, you would think that winning the tournament would mean more to him since it is the US Open. I am not trying to knock on Frost, because he is a excellent one-pocket player and a good 9-ball player and is great for green room action.

Johnny Archer has a lot of responsiblities: He is a top professional pool player and conducts himself like one, Family man and he has a responsiblity to his sponsors. Now, I would tend to think that Scott has been to a few US Opens and knows where it is on the map, at least he could have said he was with Corey on the back 9!

 

[sjm]

Scott Frost is a gambler first , gambler second and tournament player third. So most likly he was gambling all night. The money doesnt mean much to him because he comes from a wealthy family, however, you would think that winning the tournament would mean more to him since it is the US Open. I am not trying to knock on Frost, because he is a excellent one-pocket player and a good 9-ball player and is great for green room action.

Scott Frost, whom we all understand to be a great pool player, can set his priorities in pool and in life in any way he chooses and it's fine with me.

However, in this case, he's a participant in a sporting event which people are paying money to watch. Through his absence, he has devalued the very product being sold to the pool fans. If, as you suggest, he simply fails to feel any responsibility to those who have paid to watch him, then he is, very simply, unprofessional.

If Laurence Olivier had ever missed a show the night you had tickets for it because he pulled an all-nighter the night before, do you think it would have bothered you? Olivier didn't need the money either.

 

[BazookaJoe]

If Laurence Olivier had ever missed a show the night you had tickets for it because he pulled an all-nighter the night before, do you think it would have bothered you? Olivier didn't need the money either.

Olivier was paid from the gate.
He didn't have to match up with Orson Wells for it.
It is the organizers' responsibility to make sure the paying crowd has a show to watch.

 

[piglit]

That's why that weed ain't no good!

-piga

 

[sjm]

Olivier was paid from the gate.
He didn't have to match up with Orson Wells for it.
It is the organizers' responsibility to make sure the paying crowd has a show to watch.

Point well taken, BJ, there's some rom for interpretation here, and perhaps Frost has, as you suggest, only betrayed the event organizers. Nonetheless, his behavior reamins unprofessional and he has certainly betrayed his sport.

 

[9ballBiz]

I like to watch Scott play also and would be upset if i paid for a ticket to watch him play and he didn't show up. I really think something else was up, I also did not like the excuse he gave since HE PLAYED A MATCH THERE THE NIGHT BEFORE!!! It's not like he just rolled into town.

 

[BazookaJoe]

I like to watch Scott play also and would be upset if i paid for a ticket to watch him play and he didn't show up. I really think something else was up, I also did not like the excuse he gave since HE PLAYED A MATCH THERE THE NIGHT BEFORE!!! It's not like he just rolled into town.

You pays yo money.......you takes yo chances.

If you bought a ticket to the US Open ONLY to see Scott Frost, then you are a budding stalker and should seek help.

 

[larrynj1]

what bazooka joe said.

you guys need to lighten up. i'm sure frost ain't too happy with himself. the show goes on.

 

[LAMas]

I'm glad that I didn't have any money on him. It's bad enough when your horse gives up games after a miss by racking and not letting the opponent shoot the nine.

 

[AuntyDan]

I'm sure there are top pros in other sports who are just as capable of messing up driving directions, mis-calculating the time required to get to a destination or oversleeping.

However in most other sports the top pros are not left to find their own way to big tournaments but have an team of managers, coaches, agents and assistants to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 

[sjm]

I'm sure there are top pros in other sports who are just as capable of messing up driving directions, mis-calculating the time required to get to a destination or oversleeping.

However in most other sports the top pros are not left to find their own way to big tournaments but have an team of managers, coaches, agents and assistants to make sure everything goes smoothly.

I'm inclined to disagree, though what you say is true for the elite athletes. The fact is that in sports that take themselves seriously, lateness brings serious fines, and participants have been taught the hard way to take the matter of timeliness very seriously. Can you remember a player that missed a US Open golf or US Open tennis match because they couldn't find the venue? Pro golfers and tennis players, who are more able to financially weather the cost of a forfeit, as most of them make big money, but they don't make stupid mistakes like this.

FYI, not even one of the more than five hundred matches at this year's world pool championships in Taiwan was forfeited. Then again, Scott Frost wasn't there.

 

[DaveK]

...Can you remember a player that missed a US Open golf or US Open tennis match because they couldn't find the venue? Pro golfers and tennis players, who are more able to financially weather the cost of a forfeit, as most of them make big money, but they don't make stupid mistakes like this.

At last years Bell Canadian Open, Grant Waite missed his wake-up call and set his alarm for 6 p.m. - not 6 a.m. Then he got stuck in traffic and missed his tee time in the opening round by six minutes, which was one minute too late to avoid disqualification.

And didn't Jim Furyk have some toubles a few years back when his caddy was late on several occasions ? Don't know if it cost Jim any money or happened in 'big' tournaments, but Grant sure did loose some loonies.

... not meaning to argue here (especially with sjm who I greatly respect based on the tone and quality of his posts) , but I think that pro athletes are prone to brain-farts just like the rest of us. I do agree that most are very careful about these details, and do not mess them up. But some do ... it's not just a pool thing, although pool seems to be worse. I've seen Joey Bas' push a local tournament start back by an hour because too many players were late! I had to laugh, especially 'cause they such a good have a saying for this kind of thing (you gotta know Joey ...).

Dave

 

[nfty9er]

Hic

At last years Bell Canadian Open, Grant Waite missed his wake-up call and set his alarm for 6 p.m. - not 6 a.m. Then he got stuck in traffic and missed his tee time in the opening round by six minutes, which was one minute too late to avoid disqualification.

And didn't Jim Furyk have some toubles a few years back when his caddy was late on several occasions ? Don't know if it cost Jim any money or happened in 'big' tournaments, but Grant sure did loose some loonies.

... not meaning to argue here (especially with sjm who I greatly respect based on the tone and quality of his posts) , but I think that pro athletes are prone to brain-farts just like the rest of us. I do agree that most are very careful about these details, and do not mess them up. But some do ... it's not just a pool thing, although pool seems to be worse. I've seen Joey Bas' push a local tournament start back by an hour because too many players were late! I had to laugh, especially 'cause they such a good have a saying for this kind of thing (you gotta know Joey ...).

Dave

I know of lots of pro golfers that have missed tee times, mainly because they were out partying hearty the night before. It happens a lot in Golfs minor leagues. Believe it or not a lot of the golfers and their caddies drink a lot on the road. Well on second thought I am sure you believe.

 

[sjm]

... not meaning to argue here (especially with sjm who I greatly respect based on the tone and quality of his posts) , but I think that pro athletes are prone to brain-farts just like the rest of us.

Dave, don't be silly. You are both welcome and expected to argue with me. Thanks for the kind words you wrote about me and my posts. What I really like about AZB is the way we on the forum can debate subjects while remaining respectful of each other.

Thanks for offering the story about Grant Waite. I found it very interesting and educational. I have learned a lot from the threads on this forum and from the many who, both forcefully and respectfully, debate me on the forum.

Here's to you and all others that debate me on the forum, Dave. Keep it coming and I'll keep learning from all of you.

 

[cardiac kid]

Hi Folks,

A couple of years ago at the Reno Open, I lost a match hill / hill to an Asian gentleman from LA. He played way slow. Did leg splits between break shots. Took lots of time between every shot. Rooted each ball in. I was somewhat taken back by his play. Sure took me out of my game. His next match was against Scott Frost. When I looked at the score, The Freezer was behind four racks. The next time I looked Scott was gone! He just up and quit the guy. Must have been late for a matchup.

 

[matthew]

Its hard for me to imagine golfers drinking and being wild. Maybe its just to me golf seems like such a clean and respected sport. About Scott Frost, I don't think he owes anybody anything. He paid what $500 to enter the US Open? Unless I'm mistaken he didn't get in the money. I'd say he suffered the consequences. I also think something else is going on. I know he's been to the US Open before, he knew where it was. I'd say there's mischief afoot.

 

[chefjeff]

I'm sorry to hear about Scott arriving late.

I used to play Scott in Des Moines when he was about 15 or so.

I remember one time I had him down about $10 or so (one or two bucks a game, 9-ball) and this lady walks into the hall. I suddenly realized that it was his Mother. I thought she'd be p.o.'d that I, a 30 something man, was taking her poor, innocent son's hard-earned money. I was putting myself on a guilt trip. It turns out, she didn't give me the time of day and wasn't upset with the situation at all. I figured then that he was gonna be a gambler to watch.

He played all the time and gambled whenever anyone would be brave enough to do it. His game kept improving quickly. Though, I never could get him to explain the rationale of that grip arm movement of his. I figure he'll be simplifying it as he ages.

About 7 or 8 years ago, a friend who had just got back in town, played Scott, race to (5?), 9-ball on the barbox for $20 or so. Scott ended up paying him the last few dollars with a bunch of quarters. Must've been a down time for him.

He and his mentor (mine, too, btw), Don McCaughey, played some serious one-pocket for about a year straight. It wasn't too soon after that that he hit the road.

We used to joke about me always telling him that he'd be the pro player I knew as a kid. Scott has his issues, but I've always liked him and always wished him the best.

Well, there's always next year.

Jeff Livingston

 

[LastTwo]

Although he may not play like one when he is in stroke, Scott Frost is, and always will be, a human being. Lighten up, none of us know the whole situation.

 

[chefjeff]

Hi Folks,

A couple of years ago at the Reno Open, I lost a match hill / hill to an Asian gentleman from LA. He played way slow. Did leg splits between break shots. Took lots of time between every shot. Rooted each ball in. I was somewhat taken back by his play. Sure took me out of my game. His next match was against Scott Frost. When I looked at the score, The Freezer was behind four racks. The next time I looked Scott was gone! He just up and quit the guy. Must have been late for a matchup.

Now you went and gave away the secret to beat Scott. One doesn't have to stall as much as the above player, but one better recognize how to take Scott out of his potting rhythm.

I take about 19 seconds for each shot. This is enough to make Scott squirm in his seat. If I extend this to 25 seconds or so, he's totally upset and ready to go. He'll still kick my ass if he has a mind to, but my advantage is increased if I take the extra time to concentrate on each shot.

I discovered this by merely trying harder when I played him, and this resulted in the increased time per shot for me. I've noticed that I'm not the only one who uses this tactic against Scott, as illustrated above (though it seems this staller uses it against other players as well).

Youth has its advantages and liabilities, I suppose.

Jeff Livingston