UPA Got it right

catscradle said:
I think everything you said is probably true. However, until there are fans, lots of fans, who want to pay to see pool, the players have absolutely no leverage even if they pull together. Which to my mind only reinforces the correctness of what the UPA did in this case. It may not get fannies in the seats, but it can't hurt.
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And when the numbers of professional pool players dwindle as the cost of living rises, there won't be a product to present to fans. Tournaments will dwindle in size, with no new outside monies, and the sport will have imploded itself. Everything needs to move at a pace that fits the times.

Again, most aspiring pool players I know cannot afford to keep up with the tournament trail, Taiwan one week, The Netherlands, Las Vegas, New York City, Destin, Florida, Atlanta, Philippines. Geesh!

JAM
 
JAM said:
I did hear it through the grapevine that one professional player was invited to attend a high-profile event, but the promoter(s) were told that a four-figure HOURLY appearance fee was required for his/her attendance! :eek:
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What type of event? I am not sure I understand what you are saying here. Could you elaborate?

JAM said:
Folks gotta stop working against each other and move forward in unison, with a common goal in mind. :)
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That would be nice, if it could happen.

Tracy
 
Danny is not being made an example of, the fact of the matter is that after the last tournament where to high profile players decided they didnt want to play any longer for whatever there reason, There was a new rule brought in at this event, it was announced at the players meeting, Danny new this.

I told danny i had written the 1st message and he just wants to let people no it has nothing to do with the alt break format and that he was wrong to do what he did, but he also says it has given him the Chance now to take a little time of from playing in 9 ball events,

He also wanted it pointing out that he didnt go to the US open because he still has never recieved his money form the year they had problems. It might not seem like a lot of money but in this job every cent counts,
Tony

Ps, the guys form the UK i still stay intouch, even though i never played much pool there it is fun to go back and play, Especially now as they all want to beat me more.
 
tonyc said:
Danny is not being made an example of. The fact of the matter is that after the last tournament where two high-profile players decided they didnt want to play any longer, for whatever there reason, there was a new rule brought in at this event. It was announced at the players meeting. Danny knew this.

I told danny I had written the 1st message, and he just wants to let people know it has nothing to do with the alt break format and that he was wrong to do what he did, but he also says it has given him the chance now to take a little time off from playing in 9 ball events...
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Please tell Danny to move forward with grace. He is a fine player, a gentleman, and has one of the MEANEST breaks I've ever seen. I hope he finds peace and much happiness in the coming new year.

JAM
 
JAM said:
Folks gotta stop working against each other and move forward in unison, with a common goal in mind. :)
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"Pool players working together" is a bit of an oxymoron from what I've seen. I do agree that this type of effort is required to move the pro pool scene ahead in the USA, but it is counter to the common pool player mentality of looking out for #1. JMO

Dave
 
tonyc said:
Danny is not being made an example of, the fact of the matter is that after the last tournament where to high profile players decided they didnt want to play any longer for whatever there reason, There was a new rule brought in at this event, it was announced at the players meeting, Danny new this.

I told danny i had written the 1st message and he just wants to let people no it has nothing to do with the alt break format and that he was wrong to do what he did, but he also says it has given him the Chance now to take a little time of from playing in 9 ball events,

He also wanted it pointing out that he didnt go to the US open because he still has never recieved his money form the year they had problems. It might not seem like a lot of money but in this job every cent counts,
Tony

Ps, the guys form the UK i still stay intouch, even though i never played much pool there it is fun to go back and play, Especially now as they all want to beat me more.
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Tony,

Great to have you on board. I didn't realize who you were until earlier in the thread but it's always great to have people like yourself adding value to the forums. Tell Danny, despite what just happened, his insight would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave
 
Wait a minute. The night before I saw Danny totally demolish Frank Alvarez. Something like 11 to 2. Frank did not win a game until Danny had won about 7. It got so ridiculous that Danny started banking at balls instead of playing the routine safeties. Frank just plowed ahead and tried his best. I got a respect for a player I have never seen play before. It was real tough for Frank and he just kept his dignity and tried his best.

You just cant quit when things are going bad for you and stick around when the parties going your way. Its a Sport and its called Sportsmanship.
 
tonyc said:
He also wanted it pointing out that he didnt go to the US open because he still has never recieved his money form the year they had problems. It might not seem like a lot of money but in this job every cent counts,
Tony
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I heard Mika has the same problem. He finished second the year they had problems. This year, he went to ask for the rest of his prize money, and he was thrown out from the venue !!! Isn't this shady character Barry Behrman behind this ? I've heard he went ballistic when Mika asked for his earned prize money. I think not receiving your prize money sucks a$$ big time and all the people holding back any prize money should be castrated publicly with a rusty razor blade !!
 
About Danny Harriman

Sounds to me that there might be more behind Danny's behaviour. Just a lack of motivation is not IMO an adequate reason for forfeiting a whole tournament, especially if you're a pro. This excludes Earl Strickland :p
 
mjantti said:
Sounds to me that there might be more behind Danny's behaviour. Just a lack of motivation is not IMO an adequate reason for forfeiting a whole tournament, especially if you're a pro. This excludes Earl Strickland :p
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I spoke with Danny after watching him practice for a short while on the outside practice table, I asked him about what type of shaft he plays with, and he was very polite to me. I could tell that he was holding frustration inside of him about something else, he kind of spoke to me with a clenched jaw.

You all know what happened to Mika, it seems as though Danny is having the same kind of problem. When you are a professional pool player, this game takes up most of your time and energy, and for many, it is a main source of income. When you place in the money, in any event, especially after paying an entry fee of a few hundred dollars, and you don't recieve the money that you win in the tournament, then there is definately something wrong here! It sounds to me like Danny has every right to be upset! Danny is known to have alot of heart, and perhaps he cannot just play a match when his heart is not in the match.

We as spectators and amateurs need to understand that playing professional pool is no cakewalk, and every penny counts for these players. They are human just like we are, and when they feel that they are getting the short end of the stick, they have a right to act out on it. If Danny is upset because as a starving poolplayer, people from a tournament venue owe him money, and are basically telling him to forget it, he has every right in the world to express his anger! I say that we as spectators and amateurs, need to do something about crooked tournament officials who rip pool players off BEFORE you go and get angry at a player for forfeitting a match.
 
I'm disheartened to think of Danny Harriman leaving the game, but I do understand his frustration completely. He has a tremendous talent, and he will be missed.

To tell you the truth, I do not know how any pool player is able to keep up with any tour, much less the UPA, due to the huge expenses related tournament participation. The entry fee for the U.S. Open is $500, and Danny took a big hit financially to not receive any monies for his high finish. The week-long stay in Virginia costs a pretty penny, too. I do not know at the time of this writing how long it has been since he did not get paid, but I hope that Barry Behrman will make the effort to pay Danny and Mika. It is the right thing to do (IMO). Even though some time has passed by, this needs to be resolved.

I'm not sure how much money we're talking about here. I do know that one year, the U.S. Open suffered attendance problems due to 9/11. I also know that there is nobody who has greater passion for the game than Barry Behrman, and even with family difficulties and personal tragedies, he has keep the tradition going in full swing. If he is unable to compensate Danny or any other player, then I think each one of them should have FREE ENTRY in all U.S. Opens and a free hotel stay. As a promoter, I think he is given a block of rooms. Previous U.S. Open champions get free entries to the Open. The entry fee and hotel stay is worth about $1,500 right there. At least that would be an good effort and attempt to get them their money.

I am not writing this post to start a Barry-bashing saga. I know both sides of the story, and it is reflective of how this sport is suffering. The U.S. Open is a MAJOR event. Hopefully, Barry Behrman will keep it going. If anybody thinks he's making a profit or a killing, they are mistaken. I know he is not. But right is right, and he's got to make this good with Danny and Mika. Too much time has passed. Ignoring these two players' requests to get what is rightfully theirs is no good. Paying them off or offering them a free U.S. Open travel package would be the RIGHT thing to do (IMO).

JAM
 
Irony

AzHousePro said:
This doesn't get said very often and I think it needs to be said this time. The UPA got it right this time.


Comments?

Mike
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Howdy,

Danny`s first pro tournament was Bicycle Club Pro Invitational tournament (Don Mackey`s time) and he was able to play in it thru Qualifiers(1993/94).He played in California state 9 Ball championship and came runner up in that event and the winner was CJ.Wiley.They allowed 16 players from Qualifiers and other 48 players were PBTA players.
Now he is suspended from that tournament.How ironical.......Danny is very reserved but a nice man.
Vagabond
 
It's unfortunate what happened but lets face it the UPA had to do something about this, they can't have players continually walking out on matches and if Danny knew what the consequence would be before the start of the tournament like everyone says he did then I certainly don't feel sorry for him.
 
I realize Tony Crosby posted on this thread in regards to D. Harriman's disregard for playing in "pro" tournaments and that he acknowledged Harrimans lack of payment from a couple of previous tournaments, but what alot of people on this forum don't understand (or maybe they do) including myself is that this is how "professional pool" is and has been over the last 15+ years. Did he just noticed that now? I don't know, it would be nice to hear from him or Tony Crosby on the matter. Players not getting paid, Players not going to players meeting to discuss the formats, not enough money... so on and so on. So what else is new. I just think that alot of these players sacrifice critical years of their lives trying to become "professional pool players" and then come to the internal realization that it will never happen. That boat was missed some years ago. All I can say is best of luck in your new career(s)...
 
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JustPlay said:
I realize Tony Crosby posted on this thread in regards to D. Harriman's disregard for playing in "pro" tournaments and that he acknowledged Harrimans lack of payment from a couple of previous tournaments, but what alot of people on this forum don't understand (or maybe they do) including myself is that this is how "professional pool" is and has been over the last 15+ years. Did he just noticed that now? I don't know, it would be nice to hear from him or Tony Crosby on the matter. Players not getting paid, Players not going to players meeting to discuss the formats, not enough money... so on and so on. So what else is new. I just think that alot of these players sacrifice critical years of their lives trying to become "professional pool players" and then come to the internal realization that it will never happen. That boat was missed some years ago. All I can say is best of luck in your new career(s)...
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all sports started rough. there was always someone to tell top players in their sport "you're never gonna make it". its those people that kept going that turned their sport around. one day pool will have its day, it will be those people that "sacrificed critical years of their lives" that people will look up to and thank for it.
 
vapoolplayer said:
all sports started rough. there was always someone to tell top players in their sport "you're never gonna make it". its those people that kept going that turned their sport around. one day pool will have its day, it will be those people that "sacrificed critical years of their lives" that people will look up to and thank for it.
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Vapoolplayer,

Pool is not a sport. It is a game. "professional pool" has been around for 60+ years, please let me know when this up and down roller coaster will straighten out. I would love to be a pool player on a pro circut making money, everyone on this forum would.....
 
JustPlay said:
Vapoolplayer,

Pool is not a sport. It is a game. "professional pool" has been around for 60+ years, please let me know when this up and down roller coaster will straighten out. I would love to be a pool player on a pro circut making money, everyone on this forum would.....
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uh oh......i feel that you're going to start a flame war about it not being a sport. but every sport is a game. i'm going to start a thread about this, just because i have nothing better to do today till i'm on my way to the table. (i'm one of those lost souls waisting vital time in my life.......LOL). and i don't know when the up and down will straighten out. maybe the same time the NHL gets its act together...........LOL.
 
vapoolplayer said:
uh oh......i feel that you're going to start a flame war about it not being a sport. but every sport is a game. i'm going to start a thread about this, just because i have nothing better to do today till i'm on my way to the table. (i'm one of those lost souls waisting vital time in my life.......LOL). and i don't know when the up and down will straighten out. maybe the same time the NHL gets its act together...........LOL.
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I am not trying to start any flame war inregards to pool (or to start on with anyone). From the eyes of the general public, its not a sport. I never stated that playing pool is wasting vital time in life, it is just that pursuing something that has failed over the last 60 years most likey won't ever succeed). What is the NHL.....(LOL)...
 
JustPlay said:
I am not trying to start any flame war inregards to pool (or to start on with anyone). From the eyes of the general public, its not a sport. I never stated that playing pool is wasting vital time in life, it is just that pursuing something that has failed over the last 60 years most likey won't ever succeed). What is the NHL.....(LOL)...
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i know you're not trying to start anything, but it will.......LOL. we all have our own opinions. i think pool falls under the defintion as a sport. and i'm probably in your category as i'm pursuing something that has failed, although i've got my fingers crossed that by the time i get there, it won't be as bad. and if it is, i'll do my part to make it better. and the NHL is the national hockey league, that is currently on strike.

thanks
 
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