So much Debate!!!!

[Jaden]

I have never before seen so much debate as I am seeing over the KT issue with the IPT. This tells me one thing. The IPT has already generated interest atleast within the pool playing community!

I have noticed valid points on both sides. There are also some inherent problems. One, there are some people who are so steepled in pool playing tradition that they can't possibly see something soo different from the norm working and they would give anything to see it fail, even to the despair of the pool playing community.

On the other side there are people who are so desparate for something to come along and bolster pool they will see a knight in shining armor no matter what guise he appears in.

The reality I feel is somewhere in the middle. I do think that KT's approach has a plausibility that no previous approach has been able to match, but I don't think that this is the best way to bolster the sport either. There are several other things that could have happened to bolster the sport that would work just as well or even better. In conjunction with these things could work even better though.

One thing I was thinking about last night, because I have to admit that the possibility that professional pool could get to a level that could actually decently support pool players is mind numbingly eye catching to me, was what a television show based on pool would do for the sport. WEll the first thing you think is "No one would carry it though!". Think about it though, what are the things that make television shows like the OC successful? DRAMA!!!! character interaction that goes beyond the reality most people face on a daily basis. I could write an entire season with more intrigue and guileless interaction that's based on real stories that I know personally that would rival anything made up for TV! I'm sure most of you can too.

There is no setting with more drama in it on a daily basis than a pool hall. Imagine the possibilities. A pool hall setting where you have hustlers, wanna be pros and traveling pros interacting. You could get into the personal lives of the characters and how it affects their games. The possibilities are endless. The reason the non pool playing community would be interested is the character interaction and drama, but this would cause a side effect.

What makes pool on TV difficult to watch for those who aren't interested?

The answer is that they don't know about all of things that effect the game. I can't think of a way for KT to introduce that aspect in a normally televised tournament setting, but I'm willing to give him the opportunity. After all it is his money! The other thing is that there is nothing for them to relate to. For people who enjoy watching sports like football and basketball, they probably played and have the ability to fantasize that they could play that good too or could've if they had the chance. Not so with pool.

Let's take football for instance, do you really think that people would like to watch it if every time certain players were handed the ball they scored a touchdown? Well that's how it is in pool. So only those few of us who can break and run out on a regular basis can even think about holding the fantasy to being that good. The average pick up a house cue Joe couldn't fathom playing that good. They need something in the sport that they can relate to.

Something like a TV show though that shows ALL of those aspects of the game we all know WOULD showcase this aspect. Then when they show the tournaments on TV, the people watching have something to relate to....All of the drama the now know to be a part of the pre tournament process.

You could show the problems some players face with alcohol and drugs. Like I said the possibilities are endless because in REAL LIFE pool has more drama than most SOAP OPERAS!!! LOL.

Anyways just my two cents worth. Anyone want to try and fund the TV show let me know, I can write all kinds of stories for it. KT you OUT THERE?

 

[pete lafond]

Great 2 cents Jaden.

One thing you probably are aware of is that pool has been managed by a close nit group that wash each others hands and at times have found their conflicts too. These folks all know one another and so do many of the players know them. This is good ol boy stuff.

So a new guy to come along with greater ideas for this lost niche (opportunities in billiards) and actually does something 'cause he has the resources for it. It stirs everyone up and everyone dashes to protect their entity. And then the others that have tried to improve billiards without success now somehow feel cheated, 'cause they think someone is beating them to the punch.

Now with all this going around there are players who were selected and some not. Put all this stuff together and you have lots of emotions flying around especially because the big news is that players are going to make real money. Well one could say that by now there should have been this much money for professional tournaments without the IPT. Why isn't this the real question that needs an answer. It seems that everyone sucked the money out of pool leaving it dry. That's right nothing for the players.

Given all of this, everyone has had and still has their fair chance. Instead of complaining, maybe these organizations could work together and start giving. Actions are what counts, not freak'n letters going back and forth with complaints. And what is even more appalling is the many that claim to be the governing bodies (there really are not any) are not paying players and even restricting these players from earning a good dollar.

Imagine this, we have the largest leagues in this country that are bar room games and simply put, they do not support the very foundation of pool which is the pool room. (yes a percentage do play in billiard rooms) These leagues do not belong in bars period. They belong in the billiard rooms were products are bought and sold. This is all part of what is called the billiards economy.

Now we have this organization that calls themselves the world pool association or something like that. First of all they want to penalize the players who choose to play in the IPT and make real money. What a stupid statement they made, they actually want players that they did not help earn a decent living to not earn money and instead be broke supporting them.

And now take this world organization that allows bar room organized leagues to affiliate with them. The very businesses that pulls customers away from the pool room. Add to this they do not want players to be paid fairly. What's going on here and who is calling who what?.

I am not writing this to support IPT rather to welcome the IPT and any other organization that has something powerful to offer pool period.