Thread For People That Want To Throw Their Hat In The Ring & Write A Profile

[hilla_hilla]

Jimmy Mendoza

The first time I talked to Jimmy was at a 10,000 added tournament at Shooters in Riverside, Ca maybe 4-5 years ago. I was naive and didn't know to much about pool or pool etiquette. Jimmy was playing in a match with my ex Sam (Manaole). I used to get so nervous whenever I watched Sam play that I would have to leave the room. At this particular tournament and match the score was 6-6 in a race to 9 when I had left. 15 minutes later, I walked back into the room and Jimmy was in the middle of another match against someone else. Not even thinking I asked him, "Did my boyfriend beat you?" Anyone else probably would have either ignored me or flipped out and Jimmy answer was, "He ran the last 3 racks on me". Since then I have run into Jimmy and his beautiful wife Mieko at various tournaments and they both have always been friendly. I've learned a little more about pool (not much) and ettiquette since then and have been working on promoting pool out here on the west coast (mainly San Diego) whether be writing or running tournaments. Jimmy has always been supportive of whatever tournaments I run, play in or what not. A couple of months ago I played a match against a guy who made rude comments about my weight and since Jimmy was from the same area he apologized to me for that guy being a jerk.
Jimmy's a great stand up guy who I think would represent azbilliards well if he were sent to the US Open.

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

Sent to me in a PM:
Private Message: my hat and profile...part 1
Today, 12:22 AM
scruggsinhand

Hello,

My name is Brian Artrip. I am 34 years old and I live in Kokomo, Indiana with my wife, Jennifer. I would like to add myself to the list for consideration for the US OPEN sponsored trip voting.

I have been playing pool since I was a teenager, when I first got to play pool on a coinop table at the local American Legion Post where my father was the Post Commander in the 80's and 90's. After a couple years, he would sneak me into the bar even though I was only 16 and let me beat up on the local bangers until no one would play me anymore...I went to the nearest pool hall and asked for a job and got it!! I worked there for 2 years before I graduated high school and signed up for the US Army. I was in the Army for four years and I am a Desert Shield and Storm veteran.

When I was RIF'd (reduction in force) after the first Iraq war by the Army in 1995, I moved back home to Indiana and got back into playing pool in a league at a pool hall that I worked at as a teen. Since then, when I was a lowly C player, I have read books, practiced, studied and watched/played in as many leagues and tournaments that my work and finances would allow.

After a lot of hard work and paying my dues in the leagues and tournaments, I am now as of recently a Valley and BCA Master and am considered a B+ or A player in the local tournaments. I am placing in the money in local tournaments about 90% of the time and have a 1st place tournament winning percentage of 66% over the last 6 months.

After a lot of hard work and paying my dues in the leagues and tournaments, I am now a Valley and BCA Master and am considered a B+ or A player in the local tournaments. I am placing in the money in local tournaments about 90% of the time and have a 1st place tournament winning percentage of 66% over the last 6 months.

I currently play in at least 12 open tournaments every month.

My last ten tournament finishes (not including State tourneys) are:

1st place - 6 times
2nd place - 2 "
3rd place - 1 " and one 3 and out

I have also won 11 tournaments in a row.

to the best of my efforts and records, these are my State/Regional Tournament finishes.

2003 Valley League Champions - 2nd in Singles
2003 IAMOA Valley State TEAM B DIV Champs

2005 Valley League Champions
2005 BCA League Champions

2005 BCA State Team Champs
2005 BCA Open 9 ball - 2nd place
2005 Valley State TEAM A DIV 5th/6th (team member had a grandmal seizure during the match, so we had to forfeit)

2006 Valley League Champions
2006 BCA League Champions

2006 IAMOA/Valley State TEAM A DIV 3rd place
2006 IAMOA/Valley State A DIV singles 13-16th (race to 3!?)

2006 BCA State Open 9 ball - 2nd place, again...
2006 BCA State Open 8 ball - 5th/6th

2005 Derby City Classic - one place out of the money

If there is any more information that I need/should add, please let me know.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Brian Artrip

 

[Jimmy M.]

The first time I talked to Jimmy was at a 10,000 added tournament at Shooters in Riverside, Ca maybe 4-5 years ago. I was naive and didn't know to much about pool or pool etiquette. Jimmy was playing in a match with my ex Sam (Manaole). I used to get so nervous whenever I watched Sam play that I would have to leave the room. At this particular tournament and match the score was 6-6 in a race to 9 when I had left. 15 minutes later, I walked back into the room and Jimmy was in the middle of another match against someone else. Not even thinking I asked him, "Did my boyfriend beat you?" Anyone else probably would have either ignored me or flipped out and Jimmy answer was, "He ran the last 3 racks on me".

Thanks for all the kind words, Hil. I had completely forgot about that story in Riverside but, now that you tell it, I remember it well. I remember that, after you asked me the question, you had kind of a startled look like, "oh crap. was I supposed to ask that?" I remember thinking your reaction to your own question was kind of funny.

Sam played real well in that tournament. Didn't he win or come in 2nd?

 

[hilla_hilla]

Thanks for all the kind words, Hil. I had completely forgot about that story in Riverside but, now that you tell it, I remember it well. I remember that, after you asked me the question, you had kind of a startled look like, "oh crap. was I supposed to ask that?" I remember thinking your reaction to your own question was kind of funny.

Sam played real well in that tournament. Didn't he win or come in 2nd?

That was one of his better tournaments. He got 2nd and lost to Ernesto in the finals.

Yeah, Sam wasn't to happy with me when I told him I asked you about his match with you. He told me that I probably (unintentionally) sharked you and why am I asking you while your playing a match . One of many lessons for me to learn, I guess . Most people probably wouldn't give me the time of day after that Your not to bad, Jimmy .

 

[Jimmy M.]

Most people probably wouldn't give me the time of day after that

I don't think it was that bad. I know "some" people might get bent out of shape over that, but I don't know about "most".

 

[Rude Dog]

I don't think it was that bad. I know "some" people might get bent out of shape over that, but I don't know about "most".

I know it wouldn't bother me in the least if someone came up to you while we were playing and asked how your last match went.

 

[Jimmy M.]

I know it wouldn't bother me in the least if someone came up to you while we were playing and asked how your last match went.

See? I always knew you were a swell guy.

 

[Tarantula]

You have a lot of class, Tanner!

As much as I would like to possibly go this year I think I will try to go the following year.. if I get voted. My parents think I should also wait until the next year. It takes a lot of money for a person to go from South Dakota to Virginia and I have to do it with a parent. It will take close to $3000. A few things will be better if I go next year. I will probably go to Randy G's pool school in August. Hopefully that will help my game and make me more consistent. I can save up money during all that time. I can get some more time put in on 9-foot pool tables.

Thanks for the support!!!
Tanner Pruess

Tanner, I am impressed by the character, class and mature demeanor you have shown on this board. I know several top players on this board - Jimmy, John, Josh, and have been to the US Open and done well, and I commend you. You have my vote for next year for sure, and I will donate to be able to vote!

 

[TannerPruess]

Tanner, I am impressed by the character, class and mature demeanor you have shown on this board. I know several top players on this board - Jimmy, John, Josh, and have been to the US Open and done well, and I commend you. You have my vote for next year for sure, and I will donate to be able to vote!

Thanks for your vote. I'll put in some extra practice just for you.
Hopefully Mike will make a thread so we can donate and vote soon.
Tanner Pruess