Shortstop? Whos on second?

jason

jason

Unprofessional everything
Silver Member
How did the term "shortstop" become involved in the pool vocabulary?

What would be an accurate description of one?

Can we call "rail birds" bench warmers also?
 
42 views and no replys...huuum

Maybe nobody knows.

My definition of a shortstop is probably an all around good player probably the level of Master, but not necessarily a Grand Master, definitely not strong Pro. Someone capable of knocking off just about anyone on a good day.

Any thoughts?
 
No one has replied because this subject has been beat to death so much they should probably make it a sticky.
Anyways there are different oppinions on what a shortstop really is. The old timers will tell you its a guy they take on the road with them that plays all the action untill they run into a guy they can't beat. Then the Big gun steps in. So in this description anyone could be a shortstop.
Others will say its a player between A and semi-pro speed.
Others will say its a player that is semi-pro.
Others will say even some low level pros are shortstops.


Pick one.
 
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I was proud to be called a "shortstop" by good players. That meant that I could play. It was kind of like being called a "player".

A "Shortstop" was someone who played a speed ot two under the top players or Champions. A "shortstop" might get the Seven ball from a strong player or 9-7 at One Pocket.

Where that term originated I have no idea. But it was in usage in the 60's.
 
jay helfert said:
I was proud to be called a "shortstop" by good players. That meant that I could play. It was kind of like being called a "player".

A "Shortstop" was someone who played a speed ot two under the top players or Champions. A "shortstop" might get the Seven ball from a strong player or 9-7 at One Pocket.

Where that term originated I have no idea. But it was in usage in the 60's.
Click to expand...

shortstop was a term used by road players, ie, hustlers who travelled
the country more or less full time to describe a top local player
who was so good that only a top player could be assured of beating
him, and it was a compliment, sort of...

it was used by the time of WWII and probably before.
it is hard to overstate just how much baseball dominated the pschye
of America back in those days

IIUC shortstop was used beyound pool jargon to indicate someone
who was not quite up to pro standards in any field.

Dale Pierce
 
pdcue said:
shortstop was a term used by road players, ie, hustlers who travelled
the country more or less full time to describe a top local player
who was so good that only a top player could be assured of beating
him, and it was a compliment, sort of...

Dale Pierce
Click to expand...

If this is correct, I suppose it may have something to do with how long a road player planned to spend in town...as in..."I'm heading to Podunk for a short stop before hitting the big city."
I don't know...but that may be a possibility.
Steve
 
Harvywallbanger said:
No one has replied because this subject has been beat to death so much they should probably make it a sticky.
Click to expand...

I haven't ever came across this topic, but maybe I should have done a search first. We seem to re-hash a lot of topics on this forum because the depth of billiards is fairly shallow compared to many other sports. It is a "static" sport compared to an "action" sport like most. Now if you had to hit a moving ball, it might change things a lot.

Example: DrCueProtege posting a wei table complaining that he can't get out! lol ... it's just physics, dude!

pdcue said:
shortstop was a term used by road players, ie, hustlers who travelled
the country more or less full time to describe a top local player
who was so good that only a top player could be assured of beating
him, and it was a compliment, sort of...

it was used by the time of WWII and probably before.
it is hard to overstate just how much baseball dominated the pschye
of America back in those days
pdcue said:
This sounds like a reasonable answer. I will assume this is close to the truth unless I hear other wise.

Thanks for your responces.
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Click to expand...
 
I would say it came from baseball someway with out a dought.

In baseball your best infielder plays shortstop so maybe it went down like this....


Bob: Are you going to Andys to play this week.

Ted: Yeah...is there anyone I should watch out for?

Bob: well...the whole place has a strong field but I would say Mike the "hat" is their shortstop.

Ted: Shortstop?

Bob: Yeah hes the best in the field.

Ted: Oh I get it.:D
 
While a lot of things are correct about the SS issue...I always liked the sort of Wise ass theory ..that the money only stopped for a short time in a player of this caliber's pocket...hence a Short stop....
 
Harvywallbanger said:
I would say it came from baseball someway with out a dought.

In baseball your best infielder plays shortstop so maybe it went down like this....


Bob: Are you going to Andys to play this week.

Ted: Yeah...is there anyone I should watch out for?

Bob: well...the whole place has a strong field but I would say Mike the "hat" is their shortstop.

Ted: Shortstop?

Bob: Yeah hes the best in the field.

Ted: Oh I get it.:D
Click to expand...

This begins to make sense. The shortstop is the best fielder. So in a poolroom he would be the one to take on the toughest opposition.
It was never a derogatory term in pool. It did usually refer to the best local player. After all these years, it finally means something.
 
jay helfert said:
It was never a derogatory term in pool. It did usually refer to the best local player. After all these years, it finally means something.
Click to expand...

JH,
I totally agree with you; however there are several posters who were EXTREMELY offended by the designation. Go figure.

Signed,
Always Wanted To Be a Shortstop
 
Shortstop: A player who can be beaten only by the top players; A professional who just misses championship form, i.e., one who stops short. The term was originated by J. Frawley, champion billiardist of Ohio, in 1887.

See, I knew Mike Shamos' book "The complete book of Billiards" would come in handy one day.

Jake
 
A man in the know told me a "Shortstop" was a (8, or 9 rated player) on a 4-10 Scale. Ten being at Pro level.

The Shortstop could hold his own, but was by no means was a Pro. A Local Great Player, who just was not up to playing pro level...





















Someday I desire to be called a Shortstop.;)
 
jjinfla said:
Shortstop: A player who can be beaten only by the top players; A professional who just misses championship form, i.e., one who stops short. The term was originated by J. Frawley, champion billiardist of Ohio, in 1887.

See, I knew Mike Shamos' book "The complete book of Billiards" would come in handy one day.

Jake
Click to expand...

Maybe it means just "short of the top" and sounded like shortstop?
Just a guess.
 
Harvywallbanger said:
I would say it came from baseball someway with out a dought.

In baseball your best infielder plays shortstop so maybe it went down like this....


Bob: Are you going to Andys to play this week.

Ted: Yeah...is there anyone I should watch out for?

Bob: well...the whole place has a strong field but I would say Mike the "hat" is their shortstop.

Ted: Shortstop?

Bob: Yeah hes the best in the field.

Ted: Oh I get it.:D
Click to expand...

This is the best definition i have ever seen on AZ for this term. Right on the money Harvey.
 
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