SJM 2014 Derby City Trip Report

[Cornerman]

Of, my lord Freddie, what a picture! I think you were having just as much fun as me, but were a little less inclined to show it.

I was probably perplexed at the shot choice, and you were amused!

Freddie <~~~ or I was posing for the camera

 

[Cornerman]

Very tough choice. I was lucky enough to see several of the truly great matches.

The candidates would seem to be:

Banks Final: Orcullo beats Bustamante to win the title
One Pocket Semifinal: Daulton beats Frost to advance to the final
9-ball Round 4: Dechaine beats Van Boening double hill. Shane would win his next eight, of course!
9-ball Round 6: Reyes comes back from 8-4 down to beat Skyler Woodward
10-ball First Round: Souquet catches fire to come from way behind vs Biado

My choice for best match of the Derby would be the banks final, in which both Orcullo and Bustamante played brilliant pool. The match also set the tone for the Master of the Table race and may, on reflection, have been the most important match of the DCC.

Honorable mention goes to Skyler Woodward for his breathtaking performance in the banks ring game. Not sure it qualifies as a match, though.

I'd add to the great matches:

Efren's One Pocket Final, especially his second break against Shannon. It was as smothering a game as one would ever see in a one pocket game.

John Morra's huge comeback to Shane in the 10-ball only to come up short after reaching the hill.

My favorite player not named Darren this year was Francisco Bustamante. He's about to turn 50, but I swear he's playing the best pool of his life. He's an inspiration.

I think we determined that Francisco turned 50 in December (and I was the one wrong yet again, thinking he was younger)

Freddie <~~~ wrong,but learned something!!!

 

[sjm]

I was probably perplexed at the shot choice, and you were amused!

Freddie <~~~ or I was posing for the camera

Ah, yes, Freddie, that explains everything.

 

[Mr. Bond]

Ah, yes, Freddie, that explains everything.

I'd like to have your reports featured on ABR some time. Let me know if u are interested.

 

[AtLarge]

... Would love to hear from anyone on the subject of other great matches at the Derby other than the five I indicated.

In terms of one player's performance (rather than a close match), Kiamco's shutout over Parica in 9-ball was pretty special. Here's a write-up: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=350352

 

[sfleinen]

You ain't kidding.

You have to watch out for that guy next to Stu though. He looks like he could go postal at any moment. :shocked2:

Ray

Of, my lord Freddie, what a picture! I think you were having just as much fun as me, but were a little less inclined to show it.

Stu, your left arm is positioned like you have your hand on Freddie's knee. Perhaps that's the reason for the "umm... what are you doing?" look on Freddie's face?


-Sean

 

[sjm]

Stu, your left arm is positioned like you have your hand on Freddie's knee. Perhaps that's the reason for the "umm... what are you doing?" look on Freddie's face?


-Sean

Sean, you crack me up!

 

[sjm]

I'd like to have your reports featured on ABR some time. Let me know if u are interested.

Thanks for the idea. I'll likely write a report of similar magnitude during the BCAPL pro events at the Rio in July.

Please don't mistake me for a member of the billiards media. I write these reports because I enjoy recounting the good times I've had and hope to encourage others to take in the expereince of attending a premier event in our sport.

 

[sjm]

Was great sweating some of the 10-ball with you, Freddie. I was trying to figure out just how many events there were at the Derby. I was told there were four midnight minis, but I have no idea whether this is true. If so,

Derby City Banks
Derby City One Pocket
Derby City 9-ball
Bigfoot 10-ball
Banks Ring Game
American Rotation Finals
George Fels Memorial 14.1 Challenge
Midnight Mini #1
Midnight Mini #2
Midnight Mini #3
Midnight Mini #4

That's eleven events in one plus all the action. The Derby is simply amazing.

Looks like I dogged this one. Seems there were just ten events at the Derby:

The events (champion in parentheses) at the 2014 were as follows:

Derby City Banks (Dennis Orcullo)
Derby City One Pocket (Efen Reyes)
Derby City 9-ball (Shane Van Boening)
Bigfoot 10-ball (Shane Van Boening)
Banks Ring Game (Skyler Woodward)
American Rotation Finals (Jery Calderon)
George Fels Memorial 14.1 Challenge (Dennis Orcullo)
DCC One Pocket Mini (David Krenzel)
DCC 9-ball Mini (Nick Vandenberg)
DCC 9-ball banks Mini (Brian Gregg)

OK, ten events and we've now recognized all the winners. Congrats to the winners and, now that it has been announced, congratulations to Richie Richeson, winner of the Louie Roberts award.