Tired of being tired of hearing people bash league play

[Gregg]

Look, I play pool leagues, and so do a good number of others here.

I have no illusions of going pro, of being considered a billiard great, or of even being the best guy at my local pool hall with more than three average regulars.

I know that playing league is not going to turn me into a great player, not likely to get me to Vegas, and I'm better off just getting a cheap plane ticket if I really want to go.

Fact is I like being a good team player, I like to socialize, I like being able to drink (not all pool halls have liquor licenses) a few beers, and be around others who do the same. Sometimes, the thrill of a teammates victory can be as or more exciting by mine. Sometimes seeing someone progress with their game can be a pleasure. There are a lot of things to be excited about when it comes to enjoying league night.

So if your a guy who is not a good teammate, does not like to socialize, likes to only gamble money on pool games, doesn't mind teams who sandbag, or simply understands that everyone's league in their respective areas can greatly vary in quality and local, things would be a lot better here.

People love to focus on the cream of the crop shooters, but can't understand that it's the average enthusiasts that keep pool going on all levels. Where do you think all that sponsor money comes from to pay those top flight sponsored players?

 

[satman]

Don't let anyone discourage you from playing in leagues and totally enjoying yourself. I've been playing about 12 years on Valley and BCA leagues. I know plenty of top flight players who play in leagues and would be more than happy to gamble with nearly anyone who makes a comment about league players and how they can't play pool. I've played league matches against Troy Frank, Jason Miller, Jason Kirkwood, Jesse Bowman. The list goes on and on. Just ignore people who have no clue and don't let them upset your day. Have fun and enjoy your time with your friends.

 

[ironman]

Don't let anyone discourage you from playing in leagues and totally enjoying yourself. I've been playing about 12 years on Valley and BCA leagues. I know plenty of top flight players who play in leagues and would be more than happy to gamble with nearly anyone who makes a comment about league players and how they can't play pool. I've played league matches against Troy Frank, Jason Miller, Jason Kirkwood, Jesse Bowman. The list goes on and on. Just ignore people who have no clue and don't let them upset your day. Have fun and enjoy your time with your friends.

So, what you are saying is that it is good,,,,, for you?

 

[Gregg]

So, what you are saying is that it is good,,,,, for you?

I wouldn't read too much into it, but yea, that what I can ascertain. What did you think he meant?

 

[bigskyjake]

I agree that league play is a great way for new players to bump up their skill level quick and that it is good for socializing/teamwork. The only reason I don't like league is because it lasts too long for my liking and I can't stand to let my teammates down due to me losing a match


Jake

 

[steev]

league (for me) is an excuse to go out on thursday night. it's also nice to be able to play in state/nationals. sure, some teams are jerks, but it's pretty easy to remember that it doesn't matter!

-s

 

[satman]

I was trying to say "Don't let anyone stop you from playing in leagues if you enjoy it." Not everyone who plays pool has a plan to go PRO, they just enjoy the game. They'll pick up new skills if they watch and are interested in learning. We have a lot of players who just want to hang out with their friends and play pool. They have absolutely no desire to gamble or try to be the best player in the world. Life is too short to let other people's opinion stop you from doing what you enjoy. If every person in the world wanted to do, or liked the exact same things, life would suck. Shoot pool and have fun, you'll play better if you enjoy yourself.

 

[RobertR]

So, what you are saying is that it is good,,,,, for you?

I think it's good for everyone. The leagues here in Denver and Fort Collins have the 2006 BCA Open and 2006 VNEA Masters teams national champions as active teams. Most of the teams we play against get pumped up when they go up against us. It's a positive environment, and it makes the up and coming players step it up a notch once a week. When they beat us, they know they've done something and they are better for it. Individually, and as a team.

I think most of the league bashing comes from the APA players. The problem with the APA is that EVERY win comes with an asterisk. Whether it is a sandbagging complaint, or the captain didn't put the right SL vs. their SL2 (or whatever). I played in the APA for a couple of years, as a SL7, and I NEVER played another teams SL7. My team's captain always put our SL2 against their SL7. Watching those matches and coaching our SL2 was some of the most excruiating nights of pool. Like a previous poster so eloquently put it, it's all just sandlot.

 

[Big Perm]

There is always a break in any group that supports a sport....

In rock crawling, we used to compete in very built jeeps, bashing up thousands of dollars in equipment in one run....used to make fun of the pansies that had mall crawlers - huge jeeps with big tires that never went off-road....

Mountain biking, the down hillers VS the cross country guys

Baseball, the guys that still play hardball at 50 and those playing softball...

Football, the weekend touch game and those that still play tackle...

Bottom line, you got your hardcore, elite players in pool that can and do play for dollars and put it on the line.....and then you got the rest of us, run anywhere from top league players to the common hack that like to take his date once a year to play.....looks like this site is lucky to have a few hardcore guys, and to them, league is no challenge at all....to the rest of us, it's fun and competetive....

To each his/her own....oh, and I like leagues, but I'd like to have my game to the point where the cash games are my bread and butter

 

[Subsonic2u]

League Play

I play league 8 ball Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nites. 3 different teams and in 3 different leagues. I'll never b a great player, but in a handicapped league I can compete with anyone, and I win my share of matches. Some of my teamates drink (most of them), and some don't, but we all shoot on the same team, and we shoot to win. This last session, all 3 of my teams have qualified for the "Cities" tourment in Filthydelphia, PA. Sure handicapping is not perfect, but our league owner does the best he can, and he does a good job. Here is a link:

http://www.amateurpoolleague.com/

I like getting out and shooting with friends and having a good time. Win or lose (winning is better ).

Charlie

 

[Barbara]

Gregg,

I am glad that you enjoy playing in leagues. I used to, learned a LOT, and have moved on. And here's why.

I got started playing organized pool in a trophy bar league in the South Jersey area. But me being me, I couldn't stand just whacking at stuff and looked to improve myself any which way I could. So I read books, practiced at pool halls on 9' tables, and even took lots of lessons and listened A LOT. Eventually I became so good, all of the players who were not my teammates wanted to ban me.

What tired me out so much was that I used to copy (to the point of violation) so much of what I read and learned and handed these things out to my teammates. But they would never read them or practice the drills even though they had a pool table in their house. Then, they would expect me to rewrite the laws of physics when they got hooked on a Tuesday night.

Then I got guilted into playing for an APA team a couple years ago. As soon as I took my first shots in my beginning matches, the protests went up about me not being a 2. And yeah, I really didn't appreciate the team captain putting me in that position. It just wasn't right. She should've started me at a 4 but I had no idea how the APA league worked and she wanted to have some kind of advantage for a while at my expense in the long run. I played to the best of my ability to win my matches and got a lot of resentment and insults and sharking moves from a lot of male and female players in return. I would deliberately play safes to get BIH to run out. I can finally see patterns. Yes, there were a few that appreciated my talent, but only a few. They would come up to me and we would discuss, "What do you do from here" kind of things. Those were rare moments and I miss those because they were true discussions about the game and not a yard-measuring moment.

I run and play in a tour that is sanctioned by the WPBA to host Qualifiers. It's a totally different atmosphere. We're competitive, we all want to win that Q, but we're all supportive of each other's endeavors. And we always play to the best of our abilities. I'm not denigrating any other player's heart or ability, but it's definitely different.

There once was a thread about whether you were a gambling person, a league player, or a tournament player.

I'm a tournament player. Sure, I gamble my tournament entry fee to play to see how far I go, but it's worth it. I play to play my best. No handicaps and the sharking level is just about nil since I don't tolerate unsportswomenlike conduct. And neither do any of the other players in these events. We just want to play on an even level and try to win that Q.

Barbara

Look, I play pool leagues, and so do a good number of others here.

I have no illusions of going pro, of being considered a billiard great, or of even being the best guy at my local pool hall with more than three average regulars.

I know that playing league is not going to turn me into a great player, not likely to get me to Vegas, and I'm better off just getting a cheap plane ticket if I really want to go.

Fact is I like being a good team player, I like to socialize, I like being able to drink (not all pool halls have liquor licenses) a few beers, and be around others who do the same. Sometimes, the thrill of a teammates victory can be as or more exciting by mine. Sometimes seeing someone progress with their game can be a pleasure. There are a lot of things to be excited about when it comes to enjoying league night.

So if your a guy who is not a good teammate, does not like to socialize, likes to only gamble money on pool games, doesn't mind teams who sandbag, or simply understands that everyone's league in their respective areas can greatly vary in quality and local, things would be a lot better here.

People love to focus on the cream of the crop shooters, but can't understand that it's the average enthusiasts that keep pool going on all levels. Where do you think all that sponsor money comes from to pay those top flight sponsored players?

 

[whitey2]

A picture can be worth a thousand words

A picture can be worth a thousand words...

 

[Carpe_Diem]

Hi Gregg:

I agree with you 100 percent. I myself do not shoot that well but I love to play pool and I love getting out every Tuesday to play in my local league with my buddies.

The league this winter was great. We didn't have any complainers, whiners or the type that smashes their cue off the table if they have made a bad shot or simply lose a match.

Pool for me is a relaxing night out believe it or not and I have red other posters who feel the same way.

The only goal in pool I have set for myself is to someday get and ERO. After playing for over 10 years it has evaded me. lol. Until I do I will just
keep on having fun playing and drinking Bud Light. :0

 

[Gregg]

I think most of the league bashing comes from the APA players. The problem with the APA is that EVERY win comes with an asterisk. Whether it is a sandbagging complaint, or the captain didn't put the right SL vs. their SL2 (or whatever). I played in the APA for a couple of years, as a SL7, and I NEVER played another teams SL7. My team's captain always put our SL2 against their SL7. Watching those matches and coaching our SL2 was some of the most excruiating nights of pool. Like a previous poster so eloquently put it, it's all just sandlot.

You see, this is one of the things I have issue with, and why I made this thread; Your bashing and entire league of about 250,000 people, calling it "sandlot", bushleage, grassroots, local yokel, etc., yet your focus of complaint is the pain of watching a poorly skilled shooter (SL2) play against a player of your SL. Who's fault is that? The league, the team, or just your team captain?

IMO, your team captain should realize that a SL7 is a massive asset to a team, one who can provide guidance, assistance, knowledge, and experience, and make your and his team stronger. He should have realized that it's not often you get the chance to play competitive matches on league night, and let the top players shoot, instead of letting his ego get in the way. A win is a win. A SL2 very rarely can top a SL7, percentage wise, and I doubt it happened the night you speak of.

My long winded point is if your going to bash league play, make it for the correct reasons. Not what one guy on one team did to you on one particular night, and how it made you feel.

 

[MrLucky]

Look, I play pool leagues, and so do a good number of others here.

I have no illusions of going pro, of being considered a billiard great, or of even being the best guy at my local pool hall with more than three average regulars.

I know that playing league is not going to turn me into a great player, not likely to get me to Vegas, and I'm better off just getting a cheap plane ticket if I really want to go.

Fact is I like being a good team player, I like to socialize, I like being able to drink (not all pool halls have liquor licenses) a few beers, and be around others who do the same. Sometimes, the thrill of a teammates victory can be as or more exciting by mine. Sometimes seeing someone progress with their game can be a pleasure. There are a lot of things to be excited about when it comes to enjoying league night.

So if your a guy who is not a good teammate, does not like to socialize, likes to only gamble money on pool games, doesn't mind teams who sandbag, or simply understands that everyone's league in their respective areas can greatly vary in quality and local, things would be a lot better here.

People love to focus on the cream of the crop shooters, but can't understand that it's the average enthusiasts that keep pool going on all levels. Where do you think all that sponsor money comes from to pay those top flight sponsored players?

A very good rep to you sir!!!!

 

[MrLucky]

I think most of the league bashing comes from the APA players.
most APA members I know love it and understand posting a 2 against a 7 is a smart move and in more than a few times the 2 has a good chance of winning! my 2 beat a 6 yesterday and she was delirious with joy!
The problem with the APA is that EVERY win comes with an asterisk. Whether it is a sandbagging complaint, or the captain didn't put the right SL vs. their SL2 (or whatever). I played in the APA for a couple of years, as a SL7, and I NEVER played another teams SL7. My team's captain always put our SL2 against their SL7. Watching those matches and coaching our SL2 was some of the most excruiating nights of pool. Like a previous poster so eloquently put it, it's all just sandlot.

These statements illustrate that APA isn't for you ! the object of APA is to make a fair playing field for the average and learning players that want a venue that will give them a chance to have fun playing and at least have a chance for a fun "competitive" match against better players!!! If you are looking for 7 on 7 matches tournaments should be your stick not the APA !

 

[Scottster]

Where do you think all that sponsor money comes from to pay those top flight sponsored players?

I am sorry, but this quote made me LMFAO. First of all there isnt any big sponsor money going to the top tier players. I could leave it at that, but I cant... It certainly aint coming from any bar table busch leagues.

This is not a personal attack it is just a fact that the BCA doesn't care about pro level pool. If the amateur league's were to support the professional level there would be an established tour for the pros in the USA. With the membership claims these organations claim, there is money to support it, but there isn't a tour because they are more concerned about pool at the bar scene.

 

[ironman]

I wouldn't read too much into it, but yea, that what I can ascertain. What did you think he meant?

Not much at all really. I think the League system works real well for some and not so well for others. I play on a League, but, it is not my favorite activity by any means.

Before it is suggested, yes, this is my last year of it and no, never agaiin. But, that is me.

 

[FLICKit]

I am sorry, but this quote made me LMFAO. First of all there isnt any big sponsor money going to the top tier players. I could leave it at that, but I cant... It certainly aint coming from any bar table busch leagues.

First of all, the APA sponsors the Pro Women's Tour. Overall, it has done quite well, and I enjoy watching the ladies play.

You can bash what you want, although it might be better suited in the bash league thread, which is currently co-existing with this thread. So, if you want to bash, go to that thread and bash all you want.

 

[pooltableproCP]

Go pro already!!

My biggest problem with league pool is that handful of top tier shooters that go "pool Diva" on you to win a match. They are always *****in' about how "if this was a money game" they be stomping everybody's rear ends. Talking while I'm shooting, disputing every shot, going to the can in the middle of the game, slamming their cue around and all that low rent sharking stuff! And for what? $100 payback on a 25 week session? You all know someone like that, a real good player, high average and not afraid to tell you. If you want to act like a pro - GO PRO! Let the league players (even in masters division) have their fun. If you're going to act like Earl Strickland.....Then you better be freakin' Earl Strickland!!! That stated, I enjoy leagues, and will continue shoot in them for the fun and friendship that they provide.


Chris