This is the best I can do!!!!!!

G

Grady

Pro Player
Let's try this from a different angle, since I can't seem to even ask a few innocent questions without being lit into. I love Straight Pool. I always have. It has become apparent that I am never going to receive an invitation from the current powers that be, for any 14.1 event. I consider it degrading to have to qualify, especially from an upstart group like the UPA.
So as I see it, I have only two choices: 1. Don't play a discipline I really love. Or
2. Put on my own Straight Pool tournament(s).
If I do decide to stage my own stuff, I just don't see why I can't call it the world championship, since my events are never that hated word "invitational". I have only two requirements to be in one of my Straight Pool tournaments" a. Pay your entry fee and b. Have enough ability to please a paying audience.
If I do decide to put on this affair I'll do whatever it takes to get Accu-stats there and maybe we can get back to greater coverage and commentary like Pat and crew provide.
 
Why don't you just qualify at some of the events to prove that you're that good? That'd be easy too. Just because someone doesn't like you and doesn't send an invitation doesn't mean you shouldn't be there, so stop a chump from qualifying. I was at a qualifier yesterday where the high run was 79 and none of the players average more than 30 balls over the entire tournament.
 
Joe,
A simple question. Would you ask Nick Varner to qualify for the US Open (9-ball version)?

I think not. 14.1 Grady is a AUTOMATIC.

Nick
 
Grady, why even bother to grace that straight pool tournament with your appearance. Your presence at that "world" event would only complement their event.

I suggest having your own 14.1 world-class tournament, at least the competitors at your event will respect you as a tournament director and know the rules will be administered equitably to all, with no favoritism. You can play in it yourself if you can get some help with the charts. I'm sure you can get some assistance in that department.

If I were you, I would not want my name associated where there is a likelihood that unfair tournament practices could occur, much like what happened to Corey and Shane in Florida. Think about it.

JAM
 
Aye, but would Nick qualify if he wasn't invited just so he could have a chance at the cash? Sure thing.
 
Grady

If you build it they will come.

You are a legend in the game - you need not have to explain that to anybody - nor should you have prove yourself in a qualifying event. The people that respect your achievements and your boundless love for the game understand how passionate you are about this subject - and we understand that it is more about the game than it is about you.

If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask. Keep doing the great things you are doing, my friend - actions really do speak louder than words - and you are definitely a man of his word.
 
Grady said:
Let's try this from a different angle, since I can't seem to even ask a few innocent questions without being lit into. I love Straight Pool. I always have. It has become apparent that I am never going to receive an invitation from the current powers that be, for any 14.1 event. I consider it degrading to have to qualify, especially from an upstart group like the UPA.
So as I see it, I have only two choices: 1. Don't play a discipline I really love. Or
2. Put on my own Straight Pool tournament(s).
If I do decide to stage my own stuff, I just don't see why I can't call it the world championship, since my events are never that hated word "invitational". I have only two requirements to be in one of my Straight Pool tournaments" a. Pay your entry fee and b. Have enough ability to please a paying audience.
If I do decide to put on this affair I'll do whatever it takes to get Accu-stats there and maybe we can get back to greater coverage and commentary like Pat and crew provide.
Click to expand...

you get accustats there and i promise i'll buy every video of the event they offer!
 
JAM said:
Grady, why even bother to grace that straight pool tournament with your appearance. Your presence at that "world" event would only complement their event.

I suggest having your own 14.1 world-class tournament, at least the competitors at your event will respect you as a tournament director and know the rules will be administered equitably to all, with no favoritism. You can play in it yourself if you can get some help with the charts. I'm sure you can get some assistance in that department.

If I were you, I would not want my name associated where there is a likelihood that unfair tournament practices could occur, much like what happened to Corey and Shane in Florida. Think about it.

JAM
Click to expand...
This is great advice JAM. Grady you should have your own tournament and if you can get Accu-stats to come it will be even better. I'm not a straight pool player, but I live close enough to your room to come and be a rail bird.

James
 
Grady,
Just hold your own tourney and you can invite whomever you want. I can't stand Charlie but the fact of the matter is that he is the one putting the tournament on. You say that all of these tourneys should be truely open, but what if I came to the tourney and wanted to pony up whatever the entry fee was and play? Would you deny me? If you did then it wouldn't truely be an open tourney, it would be your limited invitees, and that is fine. It would be your tourney and you could do whatever you wanted to since you were responsible for either putting the money up or getting the sponsorship.
 
Grady,you are a guy that speaks his mind, and in some circles that fact chaps the butt of the so called establishment. IMO you should NEVER have to "ask" for an invite to any event....14.1 or not.

If you put on your own deal I"m sure the 14.1 population will support it. If they don't invite you to the current "world" event,....don't sweat it my good man....those of us who are students of the game know you will always be a LEGEND!

G.
 
Grady said:
If I do decide to stage my own stuff, I just don't see why I can't call it the world championship, since my events are never that hated word "invitational". I have only two requirements to be in one of my Straight Pool tournaments" a. Pay your entry fee and b. Have enough ability to please a paying audience.
Click to expand...

Grady,

You can and should put on any event that it pleases you to produce. Ultimately the quality of the players and the prestige of the event will determine if it is regarded as a true world championship however you can certainly name it whatever you please.

Hu
 
I always wondered why you didn't continue with The Maine Event. I watched all the matches from Accu-Stats of that first event and have looked forward to the next one ever since.....that was 13 years ago.
MULLY
 
Correct me if Im wrong. In earlier times wasnt the 14.1World Championships an invited list and played in round robin set up? Still to get upset with "the powers that be" in my opinion is a waste of time. Did they invite Danny Diliberto? They dont want you. They dont want a lot of people. No use in getting upset with that. I feel that I am over qualified in many positions in my field and have the resume that proves that. But still I have to go on a job interview and if the interviewer doesnt like me, my haircut, im taller than him, I remind him of a cousin he hates, etc. I dont get the job. So what? Find a nice bar you can go in an talk to the bartender. Nobody likes bad beat stories but everyone has one.
Hope you can organize your own tournament. That would be the better answer. Certainly a more comforting one. I know that Pat has been trying to organize a 14.1 thing for years. Give him a call.
 
yobagua said:
Correct me if Im wrong. In earlier times wasnt the 14.1World Championships an invited list and played in round robin set up? Still to get upset with "the powers that be" in my opinion is a waste of time. Did they invite Danny Diliberto? They dont want you. They dont want a lot of people. No use in getting upset with that. I feel that I am over qualified in many positions in my field and have the resume that proves that. But still I have to go on a job interview and if the interviewer doesnt like me, my haircut, im taller than him, I remind him of a cousin he hates, etc. I dont get the job. So what? Find a nice bar you can go in an talk to the bartender. Nobody likes bad beat stories but everyone has one.
Hope you can organize your own tournament. That would be the better answer. Certainly a more comforting one. I know that Pat has been trying to organize a 14.1 thing for years. Give him a call.
Click to expand...


good post, my sentiments exactly.
 
world championship 14-1

:thumbup2: Grady -
You have given so much to the pool world already. I've followed your career starting back in the 60's ( Tropicanna Bowl days ). Hope you get this tourney up and running. Keep up the good work.
Ken
 
I say put on a competing tournament, on the same date, with a better pay out... Thats how real business men would handle this situation...

Put on a bigger event and "own" straight pool and make CW suffer...
 
Joe said:
Why don't you just qualify at some of the events to prove that you're that good? That'd be easy too. Just because someone doesn't like you and doesn't send an invitation doesn't mean you shouldn't be there, so stop a chump from qualifying. I was at a qualifier yesterday where the high run was 79 and none of the players average more than 30 balls over the entire tournament.
Click to expand...

Because it is an insult to hold an "invitational" and NOT to invite the living legends of the game. Nick Varner, Ray Martin, Grady Matthews, Allen Hopkins, Danny Diliberto, are all living straight pool champions that are flat out being snubbed by those that proclaim to stage "world championships" in 14.1.

If it's a true "World Championship" then make EVERYONE qualify. Don't just INVITE a few players and call it a "World Championship" - it's not.

In the old days players had to be sponsored to even be allowed to qualify at the city level and once they did that then they had to win at the regional level in order to be allowed to participate on the national level. All of these tournaments were round robin, everyone plays everyone else.

THIS format determined a true World Champion. Not the silly popularity contest that today's 14.1 World Championships have become. Today it is simply a case of people appropriating the "title" and abusing it in my opinion.
 
CaptiveBred said:
I say put on a competing tournament, on the same date, with a better pay out... Thats how real business men would handle this situation...

Put on a bigger event and "own" straight pool and make CW suffer...
Click to expand...

Sure, splitting player's loyalties is the way forward. Not. It's not about "owning" straight pool. It's about respect and being fair.

Having an invitational that doesn't honor the legends is simply disrespectful.

The WPA should not sanction any tournament that is an invitational. That's it.

You can call your tournament a World Championship if you like but in order to make it into the official record books it has to be sanctioned by the WPA and for that it cannot be an invitational. The WPA should institute FAIR guidelines that make it clear how a tournament is to be filled, how qualifiers are to be run and so on. Then this nonsense will stop.

If Grady or other past champions want to play then they would have to either get alloted spots based on a ranking list or have to qualify. Simple and fair. No cliques, no spots based on personal dislike.
 
JB Cases said:
Sure, splitting player's loyalties is the way forward. Not. It's not about "owning" straight pool. It's about respect and being fair.

Having an invitational that doesn't honor the legends is simply disrespectful.

The WPA should not sanction any tournament that is an invitational. That's it.

You can call your tournament a World Championship if you like but in order to make it into the official record books it has to be sanctioned by the WPA and for that it cannot be an invitational. The WPA should institute FAIR guidelines that make it clear how a tournament is to be filled, how qualifiers are to be run and so on. Then this nonsense will stop.

If Grady or other past champions want to play then they would have to either get alloted spots based on a ranking list or have to qualify. Simple and fair. No cliques, no spots based on personal dislike.
Click to expand...
In the old days players had to be sponsored to even be allowed to qualify at the city level and once they did that then they had to win at the regional level in order to be allowed to participate on the national level.
we're not here to reinventthe wheel. the original 14.1 era is gone because there are no sponsers
You can call your tournament a World Championship if you like but in order to make it into the official record books it has to be sanctioned by the WPA and for that it cannot be an invitational. The WPA should institute FAIR guidelines that make it clear how a tournament is to be filled, how qualifiers are to be run and so on. Then this nonsense will stop.
it would take years to facilitate this all happening , all we are suggesting is Grady "do one" because he is the elder statesman or 14.1
If it's a true "World Championship" then make EVERYONE qualify

no, everyone that shows up and enters.plays from all over the world.
just show up and enter, just have and "event sponser" instead of individual sponsers(backers) best man wins..figure out how many tables
you need to do everything in two days...small place big place????
.60-100- 150 entries?
Hell call it "The Carolina Nationals"...and have fun
PS. i've never seen of played 14.1 but if Grady did one i would go to watch and find out more just because he is who he is.
 
??? Not sure what you meant but I have no business in a 14.1 world championship. Never achieved anything...never will in 14.1. Now Grady on the other hand has.

Nick

Joe said:
Aye, but would Nick qualify if he wasn't invited just so he could have a chance at the cash? Sure thing.
Click to expand...
 
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