Who is the Professional Governing Body with Official Rankings?

[pro9dg]

Pool is a fractured sport that could be "bought" by someone with deep pockets. All those letter names that designate the various associations would mean nothing if someone wanted to render them moot. Trudeau proved that and so did Barry Hearn when he launched Matchroom's version of the World 9-Ball Championship in 1999. They didn't need any sanction when they put up serious prize money. All the players were immediately onboard!

I feel that pool would be much bigger than it is today if Barry Hearn had taken the opportunity to carry on with the World Professional Championship as the 1999 event was called.
He had the chance to do what he later did to darts, snooker and a big chunk of European boxing and golf. That was to virtually take charge of these sports. But by dropping the Professional Championship in favour of the then ailing WPA Championship he let go of the reins and the battlefield is still littered with civil war casualties.
The biggest of these being the game itself.
Now Jay it is too late because like you and I, Barry no longer has the fire to take on the challenge.

 

[justadub]

This isn't a charity were talking about. The idea is for professional players to make money along with promoters and everyone else in the industry from the growth of the sport. I just don't accept the idea the league player should somehow be the source of the FREE financing just because they seem like an easy mark with money. It just smells like that old pool mentality - getting money from someone else without having to give anything in return.

It's funny how it's always people who don't play league who promote this idea.

 

[JB Cases]

It's funny how it's always people who don't play league who promote this idea.

Who would that be? I played league pool for 16 years. I also went to about 14 national tournaments as both a vendor and a player. I have been advocating this idea for at least 6 years that I know of.

In fact I have been trying to start leagues here in China and if I do then part of the revenue from dues will be marked for underpinning a professional tour. I see it as a natural fit. The disconnect between the amateur and professional level of our sport is too wide as it is.

 

[justadub]

Who would that be? I played league pool for 16 years. I also went to about 14 national tournaments as both a vendor and a player. I have been advocating this idea for at least 6 years that I know of.

In fact I have been trying to start leagues here in China and if I do then part of the revenue from dues will be marked for underpinning a professional tour. I see it as a natural fit. The disconnect between the amateur and professional level of our sport is too wide as it is.

Not a knock on you specifically, John. This idea has been brought up many times in my relatively short time here, and it just seems to be delivered from folks who usually don't speak fondly about leagues, in most cases. Except when they want to fund a pro tour....

That having been said, as a league player I wouldn't mind paying .50 more per week towards a tour.....if it were done right. Professionally, meaning attitude and presentation, not referring to those who consider themselves "pro's"... BUT it would have to have some clear benefit to the league, as well, not a charity for "pro's".

There would need to be clear and obvious participation with the league(s) by those "pro's", on a regular basis. For starters. 'Cuz 99.99% of us league players aren't ever gonna be able to graduate thru the league system to hang with the pro's, ability wise. So the thought of it being a feeder system or stepping stone is nice, but not realistic. Most anyone who has the skill to eventually play alongside the pro's won't lower themselves to play league, on a regular basis. Sure, they'll play enough to qualify for the national tournaments, and that will be it.

I truly believe that for any pro organization or tour to truly be successful, they will need to work with the league systems, as they are the largest group of people that have at least some knowledge of the game, and therefore at least some interest. If attendance at events and/or viewership on TV ever means anything, league players are a big target market. So I get why leagues are thrown out as a revenue source.

So sorry if it sounds like I'm firing at you John, because that really isn't the case (no pun intended). Leagues are looked down upon by the majority of "good" players here on AZB, yet leagues are the answer to fund "pro" pool? It is tiresome.

 

[Mark Griffin]

Who is professional governing body of pool

Might I suggest you check out the USAPL (USA Pool League) there is agood one at New England USAPL on Facebook. Get ahold of Roy pastor. Or call Mark Griffin at 702-719-7665.

Thanks,
Mark Griffin

Not a knock on you specifically, John. This idea has been brought up many times in my relatively short time here, and it just seems to be delivered from folks who usually don't speak fondly about leagues, in most cases. Except when they want to fund a pro tour....

That having been said, as a league player I wouldn't mind paying .50 more per week towards a tour.....if it were done right. Professionally, meaning attitude and presentation, not referring to those who consider themselves "pro's"... BUT it would have to have some clear benefit to the league, as well, not a charity for "pro's".

There would need to be clear and obvious participation with the league(s) by those "pro's", on a regular basis. For starters. 'Cuz 99.99% of us league players aren't ever gonna be able to graduate thru the league system to hang with the pro's, ability wise. So the thought of it being a feeder system or stepping stone is nice, but not realistic. Most anyone who has the skill to eventually play alongside the pro's won't lower themselves to play league, on a regular basis. Sure, they'll play enough to qualify for the national tournaments, and that will be it.

I truly believe that for any pro organization or tour to truly be successful, they will need to work with the league systems, as they are the largest group of people that have at least some knowledge of the game, and therefore at least some interest. If attendance at events and/or viewership on TV ever means anything, league players are a big target market. So I get why leagues are thrown out as a revenue source.

So sorry if it sounds like I'm firing at you John, because that really isn't the case (no pun intended). Leagues are looked down upon by the majority of "good" players here on AZB, yet leagues are the answer to fund "pro" pool? It is tiresome.

 

[justadub]

Might I suggest you check out the USAPL (USA Pool League) there is agood one at New England USAPL on Facebook. Get ahold of Roy pastor. Or call Mark Griffin at 702-719-7665.

Thanks,
Mark Griffin

One of my best friends in entire world (and the person responsible for introducing me to pool) has just started a USAPL league here in town, Mark. I'm rooting for him, and hope he gets it going enough for it to be successful. I'll not derail the thread any further about that right now...

My comments were certainly of a more hypothetical nature, and of course the target would have to be APA, or BCAPL, for the idea to work, (and work quickly) only from a numbers standpoint. Just for the sake of the argument, not a knock on what you are trying to do with USAPL, which I hope becomes wildly successful.