What Does It Take To Get A Turnout??

Neil said:
I don't understand why it constanly happens, so maybe some of you can enlighten me.

A room about 50 miles from me just got done this weekend with the Kalamazoo Classic. (http://www.blackbirdbilliards.com/) The 1st weekend was banks, the 2nd weekend was one-pocket, and last weekend was 9-ball. All on 9' tables. The banks and one pocket did fill up. But the 9-ball, the one you would expect to be full, only got 27 players.

The first two tournys had players from Chicago and as far away as Kentucky. Those of us from Grand Rapids I think were the farthest away for the 9 ball. There was $800 added to this event. Real nice room. Real nice owners. Tourns. were run just fine. Had 'players meeting' if you know what I mean. The events would start on Fri. nite and conclude on Sat.

For the 9-ball, as soon as a player would lose, he would leave. I don't think there were a dozen people there for the finals. Ten minutes after the finals, you had two guys playing 3 cushion (both had been in the tourn.) Scott Lee and one person on a table, the winner, 2nd and 3rd place there, and that was it.

So, my question is- what does it take to get the fans to show up for a big local event? Why isn't anybody even trying to match up when they get knocked out, and why the lower turnout for 9 ball??? The owner, Scott, and I talked about it for a little bit, and we just don't know. What does it take to get people to show up?? There are hundreds and hundreds of league players around, but they don't even care to watch a tough tournament. Why??



Look at the games and look at the players, Mentaly its hard to satisfy a one pocket player playing 9 ball. The banks arent there, and much of the strategy is totaly differnt. its more like playing Chess than pool. its like asking a Chess player to play a video game.. Im speaking the majority of 9 ball players because there are certainly "tactitions" playing 9 ball, Efren is a great example.

So how do you get a turn out? cater to the players who show up. If your getting more bank and one pocket players, have more bank and one hole tourney's, the problem is when the 9 ball tourney is going the bank and one hole players are matched up playing somewhere...lol

ofcourse thats only an opinion so take it for whats its worth..


SPINDOKTOR
 
Neil said:
I don't understand why it constanly happens, so maybe some of you can enlighten me.

A room about 50 miles from me just got done this weekend with the Kalamazoo Classic. (http://www.blackbirdbilliards.com/) The 1st weekend was banks, the 2nd weekend was one-pocket, and last weekend was 9-ball. All on 9' tables. The banks and one pocket did fill up. But the 9-ball, the one you would expect to be full, only got 27 players.

The first two tournys had players from Chicago and as far away as Kentucky. Those of us from Grand Rapids I think were the farthest away for the 9 ball. There was $800 added to this event. Real nice room. Real nice owners. Tourns. were run just fine. Had 'players meeting' if you know what I mean. The events would start on Fri. nite and conclude on Sat.

For the 9-ball, as soon as a player would lose, he would leave. I don't think there were a dozen people there for the finals. Ten minutes after the finals, you had two guys playing 3 cushion (both had been in the tourn.) Scott Lee and one person on a table, the winner, 2nd and 3rd place there, and that was it.

So, my question is- what does it take to get the fans to show up for a big local event? Why isn't anybody even trying to match up when they get knocked out, and why the lower turnout for 9 ball??? The owner, Scott, and I talked about it for a little bit, and we just don't know. What does it take to get people to show up?? There are hundreds and hundreds of league players around, but they don't even care to watch a tough tournament. Why??

I don't know about the local fans, but I suppose I'd ask how well they advertised it around.

As to the matching up and all, well, people have lives, and unless you're a no-kidding road player, it's cheaper to drive back home, spend some time with the significant other after you've been knocked out and kiss their toes for letting you go in the first place :-), and get some rest to go back to work on Monday.

I also suppose I could ask: what did you do to generate action? Did you woof at anyone and/or try to stir something up and/or put someone in the box? Or did you just expect to be entertained?

Lou Figueroa
just askin'
 
Neil said:
I don't understand why it constanly happens, so maybe some of you can enlighten me.

A room about 50 miles from me just got done this weekend with the Kalamazoo Classic. (http://www.blackbirdbilliards.com/) The 1st weekend was banks, the 2nd weekend was one-pocket, and last weekend was 9-ball. All on 9' tables. The banks and one pocket did fill up. But the 9-ball, the one you would expect to be full, only got 27 players.

The first two tournys had players from Chicago and as far away as Kentucky. Those of us from Grand Rapids I think were the farthest away for the 9 ball. There was $800 added to this event. Real nice room. Real nice owners. Tourns. were run just fine. Had 'players meeting' if you know what I mean. The events would start on Fri. nite and conclude on Sat.

For the 9-ball, as soon as a player would lose, he would leave. I don't think there were a dozen people there for the finals. Ten minutes after the finals, you had two guys playing 3 cushion (both had been in the tourn.) Scott Lee and one person on a table, the winner, 2nd and 3rd place there, and that was it.

So, my question is- what does it take to get the fans to show up for a big local event? Why isn't anybody even trying to match up when they get knocked out, and why the lower turnout for 9 ball??? The owner, Scott, and I talked about it for a little bit, and we just don't know. What does it take to get people to show up?? There are hundreds and hundreds of league players around, but they don't even care to watch a tough tournament. Why??

I do not know the answer to your question. I just like to say that I believe this is the first time I have been called a "one person".

Steve
 
Neil said:
I don't understand why it constanly happens, so maybe some of you can enlighten me.

A room about 50 miles from me just got done this weekend with the Kalamazoo Classic. (http://www.blackbirdbilliards.com/) The 1st weekend was banks, the 2nd weekend was one-pocket, and last weekend was 9-ball. ...
Around here, the rooms that offer nine ball and one pocket tournaments usually have more players in the nine ball. There is a handicapped nine ball league in this area (USPPA) and maybe that has something to do with it.

I see that the nine ball was on the last of three weekends. Maybe they were out of entry fees. Was there any sort of major sports on TV that weekend?
 
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Neil said:
... I guess there was football on, if you call that a major sport. ...
I was thinking that they might have been playing baseball, but of course it is too late in the season for baseball.
 
Neil said:
No offense Steve. I didn't know if you wanted it known that you were with Scott or not, so I left your name out.

THE OTHER PERSON WAS SDE. (There you go, buddy)

Not a problem Neil, no offense taken.

I was there for the Banks on the first weekend and there maybe 30-40 people around watching the final including 5 or 6 that drove the 50 miles from GR. I missed the One Pocket so do not know how many were there. You are correct that there was virtually no one left for the finals of the 9 Ball.

I am wondering if the poor fan turnout was for the fact that the seating and decent areas to watch from REALLY sucked. Your wife and daughter were fortunate enough to find a seat but if there had been more people they would not have been able to see the table.

Just my thoughts.

Steve
 
could be

Neil,

The one pocket and banks players have so few events to play in that they are willing to travel to get to one. Nine ball players can choose which event(s) they want to attend each weekend. The local halls here that put on great events sometimes have a short field because of conflicts and people staying closer to home for easier pickings. Also, again because there is no shortage of nine ball events, if something else like a world series is going on the same weekend some folks will watch the tube knowing that they can compete somewhere playing nine ball next week anyway. Bottom line, no real pressure for a competitor to attend any particular nine ball event unless it is really special.

Hu

Neil said:
I don't understand why it constanly happens, so maybe some of you can enlighten me.

A room about 50 miles from me just got done this weekend with the Kalamazoo Classic. (http://www.blackbirdbilliards.com/) The 1st weekend was banks, the 2nd weekend was one-pocket, and last weekend was 9-ball. All on 9' tables. The banks and one pocket did fill up. But the 9-ball, the one you would expect to be full, only got 27 players.

The first two tournys had players from Chicago and as far away as Kentucky. Those of us from Grand Rapids I think were the farthest away for the 9 ball. There was $800 added to this event. Real nice room. Real nice owners. Tourns. were run just fine. Had 'players meeting' if you know what I mean. The events would start on Fri. nite and conclude on Sat.

For the 9-ball, as soon as a player would lose, he would leave. I don't think there were a dozen people there for the finals. Ten minutes after the finals, you had two guys playing 3 cushion (both had been in the tourn.) Scott Lee and one person on a table, the winner, 2nd and 3rd place there, and that was it.

So, my question is- what does it take to get the fans to show up for a big local event? Why isn't anybody even trying to match up when they get knocked out, and why the lower turnout for 9 ball??? The owner, Scott, and I talked about it for a little bit, and we just don't know. What does it take to get people to show up?? There are hundreds and hundreds of league players around, but they don't even care to watch a tough tournament. Why??
 
Neil said:
Around these parts, $800 added is REAL special.

And SDE- you are right, that is the one big drawback to that room. It's not set-up for fans.

I just don't understand why the league players don't show up to see the better players. Nevermind, yes I do. Most of them are on league for an excuse to go out and drink and not feel guilty about it.

Neil,

First, congratulations on your 3rd place finish in that tourney. For those that were there, thats a good accomplishment!

Some of the folks from this area were talking about it and were frustrated that it was a two day tourney that started Friday. They didnt like the idea of starting a calcutta and only playing 1 match Friday night. If it would have been started on Saturday and finishing on Sunday with players that were in the money, it would have gotten more IMO. Thats how the old $500 added Jackson events used to be, and they would get quite a few players (granted bar table).
 
Wanna get a casual league player interested in good pool? Drag their ass to the Derby one year for a weekend. I find it has an ability to open peoples eyes. I know it has worked with a couple of my friends.

It is tough to keep spectators around if there is no easy way to sit and watch the matches. If I have to stand and a watch a match I won't be there very long. It is a tough problem...good luck.
 
JCIN said:
Wanna get a casual league player interested in good pool? Drag their ass to the Derby one year for a weekend. I find it has an ability to open peoples eyes. I know it has worked with a couple of my friends.

It is tough to keep spectators around if there is no easy way to sit and watch the matches. If I have to stand and a watch a match I won't be there very long. It is a tough problem...good luck.
That's definately a problem with Blackbirds is the seating and starting at 8 on a Friday night was a turnout killer....
 
JCIN said:
It is tough to keep spectators around if there is no easy way to sit and watch the matches. If I have to stand and a watch a match I won't be there very long. It is a tough problem...good luck.

Agree. I feel this way everytime I go to the Palace in Greenville, SC.
 
Craig Fales said:
...and starting at 8 on a Friday night was a turnout killer....

us poor folks can't afford a hotel room.

-s

p.s. maybe if it was 10-ball.
 
Well, It's The Truth

Bob Jewett said:
I was thinking that they might have been playing baseball, but of course it is too late in the season for baseball.


Yes, only the Red Sox were playing baseball. Noone else showed up.
Doug
( a big stadium like that and only ONE TEAM hanging around playing after the season) :)


* Maybe SDE should have played them
 
If I have to pay...... I'd rather be playing pool than watching it. There are exceptions of course.

I would go to see top level one-pocket (if I didn't have to travel too far)

I'll take a pass on 9-ball as shown by this weekend when the Canadian 9-ball tour came through town(I would have gone if I had had the money to drop on an entry fee which relates back to my first statement).

Like I said there are exceptions, if Efren was going to be playing I'd come out for sure regardless of the game.
 
Some reasons

1) I know this is regional, but most people are exposed to bar tables, either in a bar or a Pool room. 9 foot players are more of purists or high level players. Most people involved with Bar tables whether from league or not, can not be competitive on a full size table. For the higher level players, $800 is good, but not that good added, so it does not draw the quantity of players you wish.

2) I grew up on 8 and 9 foot tables, but quit playing big tables over 5 years ago because more action on bar tables, and I hate having to use a crutch so much on a full sized table (I am 5'7"). In fact, when you really think about it, why should anyone's normal shooting ability be decreased because of some mechanical device??? Plus, I don't have the patience for 1 pocket anymore, I am not out for the competition as 1st priority, I am there for the money first.

27 players is not too bad. With your money added, a 32 player format is usually dictated. Perhaps a handicapped 9 ball tournament would field more players. I have noticed that unless it is at least a 64 player tournament, not that many railbirds show up.

You have to work with it some to get it where it works with the owners, and for the players.
 
From someone who was there....

Personally I had two questions while I was there on Saturday:

1. Why weren't there more players?

I think this is sort of an odd situation since I personally didn't play because I thought I would have had no chance to win a single match as I expected only the top level local and regional players to be there (ie. Kirkwood, Wiseman, etc).
Once I showed up and saw the who was in the actual field I realized there were several people I play even with in the tournament. I definately expected more big name players and I would think most people would have as well.
So I think perhaps the prize was just big enough to make the B players think there going to be outgunned and not play, but not big enough to actually draw in a full field of top players.


2. Why weren't there more spectators?

This one is really confusing to me. I was there on Saturday just to specifically watch the final couple of matches. I called Saturday morning just to make sure Kirkwood, etc were there and drove up as soon as I found out. I don't play in that area's leagues, etc, so I am not sure how much they push that stuff (ie. our area will send flyers out to all the teams the week before and that's usually the only way that average players find out about anything like this.)

As a side note I didn't think Scott owned Blackbird?

Either way great job on beating Richie and getting 3rd!:D
 
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