The Seminole Tribe's Florida Pro Tour

!Smorgass Bored

!Smorgass Bored

Hump ? What HUMP ?
Gold Member
Rocky McElroy hosted the the Florida Pro tour at Capones in Spring Hill, Fl. and a stellar cast of players were in attendance.
The field was full at 64 and although Jose Parica was signed up to play, he didn't make it. (Talk about a field of Hall of Famers and U.S.Open winners)..
Some of the top players in attendence were: Earl Strickland, Rodney Morris, Buddy Hall, Ray Martin, Corey Duell, John Schmidt (my pick), Charlie Williams, Tommy Kennedy, John Hennesy, Danny Diliberto, Dave Grossman, Richie Richeson, Tony Crosby, B.J. Ussery, Troy Frank, John Ditoro, Steve Knoll, Mario Cruz. Luis Vierra, Rob Melrose, C.M. Lee, Bill Wilson, Wayne Catledge, Bill Ferguson, Shane McMinn, Shane Sinnott (formerly of Predator), David Broxon, Ron Park, Rob Saez, Trevor Braymore, Benny Conway (Jr.), Adam Wheeler, Nomar Paula, Dan Lavoie, a handful of good shortsops and a 'seafood buffet' of Lobsters... I could only see the small scoring beads on about five of the ten tables in use.
Some of the matches and scores:
Danny Diliberto d. Shane Sinnott 9-5
Ray Martin d. Troy Frank 9-4
John Hennesy d. Pat Howie 9-5
Buddy Hall won his first match 9-1
Richie Richeson d. C.M. Lee 9-7
Earl Strickland won his first match
Charlie Williams d. Luis Vierra 9-4
Dave Grossman d. Donnie Mills 9-8
Buddy Hall d. Charlie Williams 9-5
Richie Richeson won his 2nd match 9-8
Earl Strickland d. Rick Sanchez 9-6
Corey Duell d. Bill Wilson 9-3
Dave Grossman d. Benny Conway Jr.
Rodney Morris d. Richie Richeson 9-7
Earl Strickland d. Tony Crosby 9-1
D. Diliberto won on the loser's side 9-0
John Ditoro d. Trevor Braymore 9-8
Buddy Hall d. John Hennesy 9-6
John Schmidt d. Mario Cruz 9-2
B.J. Ussery ran seven racks and beat Luis Vierra 9-1. The fellow next to me bet $100 that Benny Conway Jr. wouldn't get to seven playing Troy Frank. Benny took the lead 6-1 and then 7-2 before Troy came alive and tied the match hill-hill at 8 and went on to win 9-8.
One of the best matches was Corey Duell vs. Rob Saez. Corey jumped out to an early lead and I believe that he was ahead 8-4 at one point. They were having trouble racking the balls and called TD John Ditoro over. John ended up racking for both players, after MUCH discussion (one of the players was unhappy with the other's racks in this 'rack your own' format). Rob Saez caught a gear and to everyone's delight, tied the score at hill-hill. Rob broke and made the one ball. He got down to shoot an easy two ball and MISCUED. The balls were laying wide open and perfect for Corey to run out for the win. In a gamesmanship move, Corey laid his cue down and took 'a break', leaving Rob to stew in his own juices, while pondering his miscue. Rob was shaking his head, talking to himself and chalking, chalking, chalking, chalking his cue (as IF he expected to get another shot). FINALLY, Corey reappeared (with a soda in his hand). I guess he felt that he had let Rob agonize long enough. He calmy picked up his cue and proceeded to run the table. But, after a few basic shots, he MISSED. There was an audible gasp from the room. Rob Saez lept from his stool and ran the rack out and won the match. The crowd clapped appreciatively.
They're down to 8 players on the winner's side and tomorrow's matches:
Buddy Hall vs. Rodney Morris
Earl Strickland vs. Rob Saez
(Earl was 'expecting' to face Corey Duell)
The bottom half of the board is:
Bill Ferguson vs. Shane McMinn
John Schmidt vs. Dave Grossman
Some still playing on the loser's side when I left were, Tommy Kennedy, Danny Diliberto, Charlie Williams, Corey Duell, Troy Frank, Wayne Catledge, B.J. Ussery, Dan Lavoie, Nomar Paula, John Ditoro.
Ray Martin is out.
There is 'talk' of a $500 a man ring game tomorrow evening. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is to be commended for adding money to the Florida Pro Tour stops and bringing out a group of players such as this full field. These two day events are $7,000 Added and pay through 24th Place. The next stop on the Florida Pro Tour is at Player's Billiard club in Melbourne, Fl. on April 24th & 25th.
On a sad note, a moment of silence was held in memory of Corrine Hoffman who recently passed away. Corrine was instrumental in acquiring sponsors and forming the original Florida Men's Tour and she was the Tournament Director for a number of years...
I won't be attending tomorrow's matches (probably) and I'll be looking online for some updates and results...
 
Keep em coming

Thanks Doug! Great post! Hey Im pulling for the old guys. Buddy Hall and Diliberto.
 
Hi Doug,

Missed you again. I am beginning to think that you may not be a real person. I saw Ken Miller there. Did you come up together? Were you the guy at the bar willing to take John Schmidt for every match and give a game on the wire? What time this morning did you leave?

This sure is an impressive turnout of top players. Rocky sat out to give someone else the opportunity to play. And Danny Harriman didn't make it.

At one time there was Charlie Williams, Buddy Hall (who put on a clinic in defeating Charlie), Earl Strickland, Cory Deuel, Rodney Morris, and Ray Martin playing at one the the ten GC's. Makes it hard for a person to watch all of them at once.

Cory sure looked smooth, fluid, precise in the two matches I watched him. Hard to believe he lost to Saez. I left before Earl finished his match and was looking forward to the matchup today between Cory and Earl.

Maybe it is better this way. Now people will see Cory play more games and it might end up with Cory and Earl in the finals today. But then Rodney might have something to say about that. Or Buddy. Or Saez. But that is why pool is such a tough sport. Just too many really good players for any one person to keep winning.

I was watching Cory with his soft break, maybe 10mph, making the wing ball in the corner pocket and then effortlessly running the table. Then he switched to a medium and hard break. He sure looked like he could do no wrong. Are you sure he lost to Saez? Do you realize how hard it is for me to believe that the way Cory was playing that he could lose 9 games. Now I wish I stayed for that match.

Jake
 
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K. McCready's main squueze asks:
Smorgie posts: [snip]
Wow! That sounds like one FANTASTIC tournament. What a cast of players!
An independent promoter contacted me a few days ago wanting to know more about the Seminole's Florida Tour. He was unable to find a website. Do you know who the contact person is for this tour, like Mike Janis is to Viking or Mike Zuglan is to Joss?
JAM


(*<~ These tournaments (and there are nine listed so far) are played by Texas Express rules, rack your own, winner breaks, races to nine, double illumination, a single race to 13 for the finals. You must play in at least two events to qualify for the State Championship. Dress code strictly enforced and NO smoking on the tournament floor. For more information about this Tour, you may write to John Ditoro at FlaProTour@aol.com or call 305-389-7434 Promoted by O.B. Osceola

(This morning's reflection)
Oddly (imo), there was an announcement made prior to start of play, that you may Not rack the two ball at the rear of the stack. You must place the two ball in one of the two spots behind the nineball. Now, I can see where you may think that this seperates the one and two balls and 'might' make a runout more difficult, but this is a 'rack your own' tournament. Who in their right mind would try to gaff rack themselves ? One player missed a very makeable shot and slammed his cue against the table, breaking it in half at the joint. In a show of good sportsmanship, his opponent let him 'share' HIS playing cue to continue the match. I've always liked Earl, despite his antics. But, I must say that I've changed my opinion. I can no longer pull for Earl with the complaining he forces his opponents to endure. He bitched & moaned throughout his match with Rick Sanchez. He missed a ball and angrily swept the remaining three balls from table. He missed again in the next game and swept the remaining balls. When he missed in the next game, he swept the remaing six balls from the table. He got out of line at least once or twice in every game and his complaining made life miserable for his opponent. Ithink it's VERY intimidating to his opponent(s) and the TD should call him on his unsportsmanlike behavior. I know that Earl wouldn't tolerate the same behavior from someone he was playing. He's getting worse and I think he needs medical attention and medication.... imo
(and I AM entitled to an opinion)..... Doug
 
jjinfla said:
Hi Doug,
Missed you again. I am beginning to think that you may not be a real person. I saw Ken Miller there. Did you come up together? Were you the guy at the bar willing to take John Schmidt for every match and give a game on the wire? What time this morning did you leave?
This sure is an impressive turnout of top players. Rocky sat out to give someone else the opportunity to play. And Danny Harriman didn't make it.
Jake
Click to expand...

Ken Miller (Planet 9-Ball owner) and I did not come together. I arrived at 11:00 a.m. and left a little after midnight. The fellow in the black t-shirt and yellow shorts offering a game on the wire came with John Schmidt and was NOT me. I was sitting in reserved seat #3 all day and was wearing a VERY colorful Hawaiian looking shirt and a cap. Rocky drew Corey Duell and was kind enough to give his spot to 'a lobster' that was on the waiting list. I wish Harriman and Jose Parica had showed up. Sorry that I missed you (again). Next time, tie a bottle of beer around your neck and I'll find you wherever you are (imo).... Doug
 
In late night matches (after I left)...
B.J. Ussery was breaking and running racks and sent Corey Duell packing with a 9-3 victory. Also illuminated were, Tommy Kennedy and Richie Richeson.. Doug
 
Doug,

Great post!!! Thank you for all the inside info. This is exactly the kinds of posts I love to read!!!

I agree with you about Earl too. I've seen him live and it aint pretty!! He needs to reign in that temper before he winds up having a stroke or something. It is definitely not fair to his opponents and I just don't understand why the TD's allow this to continue. Someone needs to get his attention and quick!!
 
When I heard that Cory lost to Saez and then later to BJ Ussery I just thought Cory had a golf date today, but then I watched Saez play against Earl, and he sure can play.

Earl won the first match with Saez even though Saez kept checking and complaining about the rack. Earl won over Saez 9-6. In their second match Saez came out on top 9-4. With the help of Saez's backers who kept needling Earl because they had a sizeable side bet on the game. At one point, Saez pointed to them, and raised his finger to his lips, for them to be quiet. But, by then the match was all but over.

I believe Earl is a great pool player. A perfectionist. And that is his problem. He expects every shot he makes to be perfect. Most are, but when they aren't he gets mad. Not at his opponent, or at the fans, he gets mad at himself. He is a winner and expects to win everytime he plays. But of course that is impossible. But people don't like sore losers. They want losers to lose with grace. Vince Lombardi was known to say, show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser. He didn't want any losers on his team.

Earl played Rodney Morris and lost 9-4. That's the match where Earl was conceeding the last 2, 3 or 4 balls to Rodney. And once the last 6. But what you didn't hear is that at the start Rodney racked and Earl told him the 8 was loose (it was the back ball and it rolled away - obvious to everyone). Rodney exploded, slammed the rack down, reracked, and shouted I'm tired of this shit. And flexed his muscles, stomped to the head of the table and put all his hate into the break. Does that sound like the Rodney everyone knows? It was obvious he was still agitated in the next rack. I think the outburst shook Earl up and he just wanted the match over with. He scared me and I was 15 feet away from him.

But maybe the tour should decide if make it mandatory that a player must shoot every ball and players are not allowed to conceed any balls. Even Rodney conceeded the last two balls to Earl during a game in their match.

Earl does not look like a healthy person to me. Very thin. Probably lost 50 pounds from last year. His face is drawn. And walks, and talks like he is very depressed. But he is cordial to the fans and will sign anything and talk with anyone.

Bill Ferguson really played some great pool too and finished 5/6 losing his first match to Schmidt. Now there is a name to remember - John Schmidt. Only about 25 I believe and rolled over Rodney 9-7 to get to the hot seat. Has a hell of a break and really knows how to play the game. I was sitting next to Danny Di Liberto and he was telling me that kid is going to be a force to be reckoned with for the next five years.

Ferguson lost to Saez 9-5
Strickland d McMinn 9-5 McMinn finishing 5/6

Payoffs: 1 - 4,000; 2 - 2,000; 3 - 1500; 4 - 1150; 5/6 - 850
7/8 - 600; 9/12 - 450; 13/16 - 300; 17/24 - 150

But after watching these guys do battle over the weekend I would never recommend anyone become a pro. It is just a worthless future. Every match is gut wrenching. And there is not enough maalox to calm the ulcers. I sure wouldn't want to be in Saez's shoes when he starts losing because his backers won't like it and will take it out on him. And he can't quit.

Jake
 
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Congratulations to John Schmidt for his win in the first Seminole Tribe's Florida Pro Tour stop. It's quite an accomplishment to finish 1st in a full field that included so many U.S.Open winners and Hall of Famers. I like Mr. Schmidt and picked him long before the tournament started. John Schmidt is a likeable, intelligent, polite and courteous young man with a good work ethic. He doesn't drink or do drugs. He practices religously and takes the game very seriously. He's a snappy dresser, projects a good image and is well spoken. Sponsors should consider signing this young man up, immediately... (imo)... Doug ...(I can't wait to see him play again at Stroker's in May and Planet 9-Ball in July)
 
Do you guys think the Seminole Tribe can bring mens pool back to the level it should be? It looks like they are off to a good start with this tournament.

Kent Mc.
 
nice post Doug, thank you

jjinfla said:
Hi Doug,

Missed you again. I am beginning to think that you may not be a real person. I saw Ken Miller there. Did you come up together? Were you the guy at the bar willing to take John Schmidt for every match and give a game on the wire? What time this morning did you leave?

This sure is an impressive turnout of top players. Rocky sat out to give someone else the opportunity to play. And Danny Harriman didn't make it.

At one time there was Charlie Williams, Buddy Hall (who put on a clinic in defeating Charlie), Earl Strickland, Cory Deuel, Rodney Morris, and Ray Martin playing at one the the ten GC's. Makes it hard for a person to watch all of them at once.

Cory sure looked smooth, fluid, precise in the two matches I watched him. Hard to believe he lost to Saez. I left before Earl finished his match and was looking forward to the matchup today between Cory and Earl.

Maybe it is better this way. Now people will see Cory play more games and it might end up with Cory and Earl in the finals today. But then Rodney might have something to say about that. Or Buddy. Or Saez. But that is why pool is such a tough sport. Just too many really good players for any one person to keep winning.

I was watching Cory with his soft break, maybe 10mph, making the wing ball in the corner pocket and then effortlessly running the table. Then he switched to a medium and hard break. He sure looked like he could do no wrong. Are you sure he lost to Saez? Do you realize how hard it is for me to believe that the way Cory was playing that he could lose 9 games. Now I wish I stayed for that match.

Jake
Click to expand...

what a great problem trying to figure out who to watch. Wish I could have been there. Sounds like they're on the right track. A big thank you to the promoters. Sam
 
And On The West Coast

Smorgass Bored said:
K. McCready's main squueze asks:
Smorgie posts: [snip]
Wow! That sounds like one FANTASTIC tournament. What a cast of players!
An independent promoter contacted me a few days ago wanting to know more about the Seminole's Florida Tour. He was unable to find a website. Do you know who the contact person is for this tour, like Mike Janis is to Viking or Mike Zuglan is to Joss?
JAM


(*<~ These tournaments (and there are nine listed so far) are played by Texas Express rules, rack your own, winner breaks, races to nine, double illumination, a single race to 13 for the finals. You must play in at least two events to qualify for the State Championship. Dress code strictly enforced and NO smoking on the tournament floor. For more information about this Tour, you may write to John Ditoro at FlaProTour@aol.com or call 305-389-7434 Promoted by O.B. Osceola

(This morning's reflection)
Oddly (imo), there was an announcement made prior to start of play, that you may Not rack the two ball at the rear of the stack. You must place the two ball in one of the two spots behind the nineball. Now, I can see where you may think that this seperates the one and two balls and 'might' make a runout more difficult, but this is a 'rack your own' tournament. Who in their right mind would try to gaff rack themselves ? One player missed a very makeable shot and slammed his cue against the table, breaking it in half at the joint. In a show of good sportsmanship, his opponent let him 'share' HIS playing cue to continue the match. I've always liked Earl, despite his antics. But, I must say that I've changed my opinion. I can no longer pull for Earl with the complaining he forces his opponents to endure. He bitched & moaned throughout his match with Rick Sanchez. He missed a ball and angrily swept the remaining three balls from table. He missed again in the next game and swept the remaining balls. When he missed in the next game, he swept the remaing six balls from the table. He got out of line at least once or twice in every game and his complaining made life miserable for his opponent. Ithink it's VERY intimidating to his opponent(s) and the TD should call him on his unsportsmanlike behavior. I know that Earl wouldn't tolerate the same behavior from someone he was playing. He's getting worse and I think he needs medical attention and medication.... imo
(and I AM entitled to an opinion)..... Doug
Click to expand...
In not quite as bad a display at the Pechauer tour stop in California, Ronnie Allen displayed similar symptons during a match, however he was subsequentially disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct from the tournament. It can be a tough call but maybe if it was done more some great players and great personalities would get the idea and use that fierce personality in a positive way.
 
nfty9er said:
In not quite as bad a display at the Pechauer tour stop in California, Ronnie Allen displayed similar symptons during a match, however he was subsequentially disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct from the tournament. It can be a tough call but maybe if it was done more some great players and great personalities would get the idea and use that fierce personality in a positive way.
Click to expand...

Yes, there is no point in having rules if they are not inforced. If they are inforced unilaterally (no favoritism) then no one has anything to complain about.
 
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