Thank God for Replay in Busta vs. Peach Match at WPC

[beav99_4life]

I'd like to give a hand to the refs and tournament director after the controversial hit in the Francisco Bustamante vs. Darryl Peach match. In an environment that is more than pulling for Bustamante, the ref kept his cool and didnt fall to the pressure of the home crowd and went to a replay to call a foul on a possible match winning shot by Bustamente. I wanted Django to win but the call was the right one. It was still one of the most amazing matches in the history of pool. For those of you who didnt get to see it, watch it and i promise you'll agree with me.

 

[sjm]

I'd like to give a hand to the refs and tournament director after the controversial hit in the Francisco Bustamante vs. Darryl Peach match. In an environment that is more than pulling for Bustamante, the ref kept his cool and didnt fall to the pressure of the home crowd and went to a replay to call a foul on a possible game winning shot by Bustamente. I wanted Django to win but the call was the right one. It was still one of the most amazing matches in the history of pool. For those of you who didnt get to see it, watch it and i promise you'll agree with me.

It was a great moment for the integrity of the game. Just more evidence that the Philippines, where the honor of the game always comes first, is the world capital of pool. I still can't believe that Darryl was able to regroup and run the match out. More power to him. As for Francisco, he, too, played like a champion, and deserves every ounce of our respect.

 

[azhousepro]

I am here in Manila and you (as well as officials here) got the call absolutely correct. It was a bad hit and Nigel made the right ball by calling it a foul. The only possibly error was that Nigel should have called the foul immediately, instead of allowing Busty and the crowd to watch the 9-ball roll to the pocket and start celebrating.

One thing for sure. I am glad I wasn't reffing that match.

Mike

 

[shir]

I'm glad I wasn't the TD....
Hate those situations...

 

[beav99_4life]

I am here in Manila and you (as well as officials here) got the call absolutely correct. It was a bad hit and Nigel made the right ball by calling it a foul. The only possibly error was that Nigel should have called the foul immediately, instead of allowing Busty and the crowd to watch the 9-ball roll to the pocket and start celebrating.

One thing for sure. I am glad I wasn't reffing that match.

Mike

I agree with you on not wanting to ref that match Mike. On calling the foul immediately, is it standard to call the foul and then watch a replay or first review the hit before calling a foul?

 

[tgspool]

I agree with you on not wanting to ref that match Mike. On calling the foul immediately, is it standard to call the foul and then watch a replay or first review the hit before calling a foul?

Robbed. Earl would have belittled nigel.

 

[Blackjack]

One thing for sure. I am glad I wasn't reffing that match.

Mike

... same here... but I would have settled for a cozy seat right next to Michaela...

 

[efirkey]

Is the ref safe now or will he need body guards?

Much kudos to Darryl for making some incredible shots to win the match and for getting to the final.

 

[Bigtruck]

Standard

Is replay review used in the entire event? If not, I don't think it was fair using it here. The rules should be the same for every match.

Ray

 

[crappoolguy]

Is replay review used in the entire event? If not, I don't think it was fair using it here. The rules should be the same for every match.

Ray

I don't think it was ever needed before.

 

[Sprite]

Busta is so capable. He made it so real.

 

[Pitster]

For those that missed the 3-9 shot...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_MEqa-OYro

 

[9ballprodigy]

i wonder if nigel got caught any backlash for his call. i know the phillipine crowd was urging him to let the 9 go. hope he got home safe.

 

[Snapshot9]

It was clearly

a foul. Django shot the 2 pretty poorly, and should have known that was a little better to overshoot shape more than undershoot it. This is a perfect example of taking a shot for granted, no matter how simple it appears to be.

I wonder if the foul still would have been called if the 9 had not gone?

 

[ShootingArts]

I doubt it

a foul. Django shot the 2 pretty poorly, and should have known that was a little better to overshoot shape more than undershoot it. This is a perfect example of taking a shot for granted, no matter how simple it appears to be.

I wonder if the foul still would have been called if the 9 had not gone?

I doubt very seriously if a foul would have been called without replay and I also doubt that replay would have been used if the nine had not fell. The nine falling is what made the shot a major issue and brought out replay from what I can gather. Perhaps Mike or some of the people that were there will shed light on if replay had been used on the TV tables earlier in this event.

Hu

 

[ironman]

Is replay review used in the entire event? If not, I don't think it was fair using it here. The rules should be the same for every match.

Ray

I agree with ya!!

 

[PoolBum]

I doubt very seriously if a foul would have been called without replay

Hu

According to referee Nigel Rees, he would have called a foul if there was no replay to consult:

""My gut reaction was thinking that it was a foul but we had the benefit of a (television) replay. We went to the replay for quite a while...but they are the rules and you have to make the right call. Whoever made that shot, that's the call I would've made."

As to the legality of consulting the video replay, here is what Thomas Overbeck, the WPA Sports Director and senior rules official at the 2007 Philippines World Pool Championship, said:

"The ruling is that the ref must make a decision before the next shot is made. An opponent can always ask for a referee for a reconsideration if it was a foul...Nigel straight away said 'I have to check it out' and the correct procedure was followed.

"It wasn't like the game was over for five minutes, he immediately said 'I have to investigate'.

"The rules say a referee of a pool match can make a decision by any means possible. If there is television replays then we can use it.

"Nigel told me that his initial feeling was that it was a foul. He is a very respected referee.

"Bustamante did not address the situation with me. I think he knows he hit the 9-ball first. He asked me if Nigel reacted accordingly to the rules and I said 'yes he did'."

 

[Dawgie]

It was very obvious that the 9 ball was hit first. No doubt whatsoever. It was clear as a bell.

 

[beav99_4life]

Is replay review used in the entire event? If not, I don't think it was fair using it here. The rules should be the same for every match.

Ray

Yes, replay was always available and you cant say that it wouldn't be fair. Would it be fair if Bustamante got away with a bad hit and made the 9 to win the match?!!

 

[Purdman]

It was a great moment for the integrity of the game. Just more evidence that the Philippines, where the honor of the game always comes first, is the world capital of pool. I still can't believe that Darryl was able to regroup and run the match out. More power to him. As for Francisco, he, too, played like a champion, and deserves every ounce of our respect.

How do you figure that sjm? I understand that Francisco isn't required to call the foul on himself. What does it say about his character? He knew he fouled. It was plain as day. He was going to take the win anyway. That tells me a whole bunch about the state of pool today in the Philippines and everywhere else. We have all been in similar situations. I always have and always will call fouls on myself just for my own integrity.
JMHO Purdman