I agree that if we do want some kind of pro tour that current pro players could be "one" way to make it happen. I think its the only way available the we can actually control and that's why we should try. Not a fan of sitting around complaining or asking people for a bunch of money while telling them what we "Could" do with it.
The American Billiard Club doesn't have the end all answer yet but we know it's a step in the right direction to form a good united base of 5-600 of America's best players and 50-100 of our proactive clubs.
We are offering amateurs the opportunity to play side by side with some of our best players at a bargain price too (2-3hrs $20 matches). Some professional players are helping and we're thankful they are.
Here's a quick up of Series 5 which will have its finals at Derby City end of January.
Gerry Williams Tailgators Ottawa (Gerry organizing at least Semi pro level player)
Roger Miller Doolers Ottawa
Stix & Stone MA (Joe Dupuis pro player organizing)
Amazin Billiards MA
Snookers RI (Myself and Ray Mac organizing, Pro players Mike Dechaine & Tom D'Alfonso competing and helping)
Ryan Lineham Bo's Billiards RI
Bo's Billiards RI
Tom Zippler Magic Cue 8
Brandon Shuff First Break VA (Pro player Brandon Shuff organizing on his own)
Mike McPherson Gate City NC (proactive room owner and 10 plyrs with heart)
Randy Hatten Press Box (Randy stepped up to form 10 at anew pool room and has added a lot of new alternatives and suggestions.
Murfreesboro Billiard Club TN (New owner looking to put club on the map
Robert Hall Bumpers Huntsville AL (Room owner, family man, full time job AND at least Semi Pro Player
Port City Billiards SC
Sharp Shooters Miami (Raymond Linares organizing pro/semi pro player, student, job, family person)
Billiard Den Dallas TX
Lags Billiards IN (Joseph Watson for the love of the game, proactive room owner)
Big Dog Billiards IA (James and Randy pool lovers and proactive owners)
Edgie Geronimo Hard Times CA (9 players at Hard Times invited this new Filipino champion to come compete with them
))) Kudos
Now I didn't do that just for the shameless plug. I wanted people to see that it just takes 1 player with access to 1 pool table to organize a group of 10 players that is another brick towards building a professional organization. I can't believe how many aren't willing to at least try to do that. I spent the first 18 months of this pretty much begging pro level players to help build this simply by trying to get 10 locals involved. I still would like the pros to help but can tell you the people that actually love pool are doing most of the work. A lot of the higher level players simply think there's nothing in it for them and I (We) are just setting up a league to line our pockets. So far from the truth it hurts. We are just trying to create a self sustaining product for the players and for the industry. I am personally sick to my stomach that our game doesn't have a self sustaining tour in place. Not saying it has to make all the players rich but at least a tour that does not bleed the players and does come with rewards other than selling their souls. I wouldn't care if it had NO money involved. If I could compete weekly and somehow qualify for an expense free national event that was 2-3 days long every month or so I would love it.
Immediate goals of the ABC are;
64 clubs
Multiple matches streamed daily
Free Fantasy contests daily
Stat and bio page for each player
With that kind of continues content and interaction we think we'll be able to attract some good outside the industry web based sponsorship or interest.
We would also be in a gr8 position to start an amateur division that could also add to supporting a pro tour.
This should be done by the players for the pla, Game
Ps for Lenny, We are playing Rotation now and most love it but I do see a time where we could change games each Series; 8B 1P 9B 14.1 10B Amro
