I would like to heard opionions if the combining of BCA Leagues, ACS, VENE, etc under one Brand Name would IYHO be a smart move for Pool, and the games promotion.
Would combining all the Pool Orginizations be a SMART MOVE for Pool
- Thread starter CocoboloCowboy
- Start date
I'm not sure about the league systems, but with the pro organizations I have come to following conclusion:
Transforming small and separate disorganization into large combined disorganization really won't accomplish much, but it would be fun to watch.
IMO, pool needs to learn how to present itself in other ways besides bracketed tournament play. Tournament play is exciting to some, but to the average channel surfer - nobody cares.
Make it exciting. Throw in some woofing and match-making - on the spot challenges, etc. Develop the TV around the player's personalities and let 'er rip. Make the people tune in because they DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
Once we start thinking outside the box and marketing pool creatively and imaginatively, then you'll see the game in the mainstream. Unless that revolutionary shift occurs, brace yourself for another 20 years of what we have now.
Transforming small and separate disorganization into large combined disorganization really won't accomplish much, but it would be fun to watch.
IMO, pool needs to learn how to present itself in other ways besides bracketed tournament play. Tournament play is exciting to some, but to the average channel surfer - nobody cares.
Make it exciting. Throw in some woofing and match-making - on the spot challenges, etc. Develop the TV around the player's personalities and let 'er rip. Make the people tune in because they DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
Once we start thinking outside the box and marketing pool creatively and imaginatively, then you'll see the game in the mainstream. Unless that revolutionary shift occurs, brace yourself for another 20 years of what we have now.
Sounds like a good idea. but, they dont work great by themselves im sure itd be nearly impossible to get them to work TOGETHER.
I am only talking Amature Level, as there is strenth in NUMBER, and that would be a GREAT SELLING tool to Corporate USA, or the World. Plus Joe Salasar would be in Sin City only 10 days.
I think there should be a single national governing body for pool with combined rankings and common national championships. The problem is arranging it so the private businesses that are the leagues see some advantage in belonging to the common ... umm ... let's call it a "congress."CocoboloCowboy said:I would like to heard opionions if the combining of BCA Leagues, ACS, VENE, etc under one Brand Name would IYHO be a smart move for Pool, and the games promotion.
Bob Jewett said:
Great idea
Why this comment?? Dontcha like him??CocoboloCowboy said:
Craig Fales said:
Joe like many of the vendors at the BCA, VNEA, get stuck in Sin City for 6 or so weeks. As I think he is there for 3-4 events.
I think if all of the Orginization combined it would also be beneficial to those like Joe who could reach a large audence in a shorter time. Joe is a great guy.
Also if all the Pool Players also were united under (1) Orginization I think it would help in getting sponsors for pool.
Make it exciting. Throw in some woofing and match-making - on the spot challenges, etc. Develop the TV around the player's personalities and let 'er rip. Make the people tune in because they DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
Once we start thinking outside the box and marketing pool creatively and imaginatively, then you'll see the game in the mainstream. Unless that revolutionary shift occurs, brace yourself for another 20 years of what we have now.[/QUOTE]
I agree 100%. Everyone wants to make poool like golf. Golf has phenomonal talent but it is boring. Too many country club stiffs.
Real pool isnt played in a country club, but in pool rooms. Real pool is egos and woofing. Some of you are going to say that is whats wrong with pool and why we cant get sponsors. I say the WWE and the UFC dont have sponsorship problems. Maybe we could get Vince Mcmahon or Joe Rogan to promote pool.
As for all of the leagues coming under one umbrella, I think it will never work. Heres why. Some players would never go back to playing handicapped leagues and keep track of innings and safes etc... and some players will never leave that type of system. What if Pepsi and Coke merged or Bud and Miller merged or if the only kind of Ice cream available was vanilla? What a boring world this would be.
Once we start thinking outside the box and marketing pool creatively and imaginatively, then you'll see the game in the mainstream. Unless that revolutionary shift occurs, brace yourself for another 20 years of what we have now.[/QUOTE]
I agree 100%. Everyone wants to make poool like golf. Golf has phenomonal talent but it is boring. Too many country club stiffs.
Real pool isnt played in a country club, but in pool rooms. Real pool is egos and woofing. Some of you are going to say that is whats wrong with pool and why we cant get sponsors. I say the WWE and the UFC dont have sponsorship problems. Maybe we could get Vince Mcmahon or Joe Rogan to promote pool.
As for all of the leagues coming under one umbrella, I think it will never work. Heres why. Some players would never go back to playing handicapped leagues and keep track of innings and safes etc... and some players will never leave that type of system. What if Pepsi and Coke merged or Bud and Miller merged or if the only kind of Ice cream available was vanilla? What a boring world this would be.
In Arizona we got the following leagues.
ACS
APA
APL
BCA
VNEA
TAP
Seems like many peoople on different ships.
ACS
APA
APL
BCA
VNEA
TAP
Seems like many peoople on different ships.
I think the amateur players and organizations don't need any work. It's the pro level that needs to come under one "umbrella".
CocoboloCowboy said:
And a lot of those leagues are "franchised" and the league operators operate them as a "business" - not as a weekly tournament at a tavern.
Go back and read what Bob Jewett posted. The leagues are private businesses. They have preset goals and people that are willing to work their butts off to help the organization (as whole) to achieve those goals. Operating a league is no easy task. Asking the APA to merge or join forces with the BCAPL or ACS is sort of redundant because some of these leagues came into existence so that the leadership could separate themselves from one or many other league formats and establish their own unique operation.
It may seem as of there are too many leagues out there (and we're not counting independent house leagues) but I believe that it gets people out there to play. Most of these players couldn't pick Efren or Earl out of line up, nor would they be able to tell you who Darryl Peach is, or what he won a world championship in (go out on league night and ask that question - you'll laugh you ass off at the blank stares you receive).
However, these players will purchase cues, chalk, cases, perhaps a home table, and this is a tremendous help to the industry. I believe that this is what keeps the industry afloat. 65-70% of my students come directly from APA and BCAPL. Hell, start 10 more leagues - it won't hurt me at all.
As Craig pointed out, the league systems work fine. It's the pro level that is a mess right now on almost every continent.
I would like to see some numbers that show industry sales that are directly related to the league systems. I guarantee you that the numbers for industry sales coming directly from VNEA players for 2008 would be several times the income generated by interest in the entire UPA if we combined 2003-2008. (Not picking on the UPA - the numbers would remain consistent no matter what pro or open level regional tour I pick)
We have to find out how to turn those numbers around before anybody will invest big money into our sport.
I'm not sure that combining amateur pool leagues is a good idea at all. In the Lehigh Valley alone we have no less than 6 different leagues such as APA and TAP, etc. They all draw and repel people for varying reasons. Some is cost, some is convenience and some has to do with participants both in skill level and desire of competition. If you combined all of these leagues you would destroy not only the competitive aspects of the leagues to draw people but you would ruin some of the reasons that certain people play. In our area the APA director chases more people out of the league than he brings in. Imagine if he was your only choice.
I think the different leagues in amateur pool are a good thing. But it's just my opinion.
I think the different leagues in amateur pool are a good thing. But it's just my opinion.
Blackjack said:
