WPBA National Championship

[lamar25]

Thanks

I will try to post some pictures of the WPBA National Championship. There is unfortunately no Internet access in the hotel so it is quite difficult. I am using dail up now but I get cut off quite often.
Anyway, I will try my best.
I am posting the pictures in the picture gallery on www.xtremebilliard.com. You can go to the site and click on the "picture" section.
My computer is low on battery so I will have to go now but I will try to figure out a way to do this in a more effective manner. Wish me luck
Thank you.
Richard

Hey Richard,
Just wanted to thanks for posting your link to your Pic Gallery.
A special thanks for showing the Pic's if Tracie Hines winning "Rookie of the Year".
I am a supportive fan of Tracie & have added comments to her Pic's for viewer info.
"Have A Nice Day"
Lamar

 

[sjm]

A special thanks for showing the Pic's if Tracie Hines winning "Rookie of the Year".

Congratulations to Tracie, who certainly played well this year. Still, this seems like a major upset. Kelly Fisher was also a rookie, managed to win WPBA San Diego and will finish the year ranked #5. Still, congratulations to both and, also, to Myuki Sakai, who played well in her first full WPBA season. All three of these rookies have a bright future, and I wish them continued success.

Late addition:

Some will ask why these three are considered rookies when each appeared in some events in 2004. In the WPBA, you're considered a rookie in the year in which you first earn your WPBA touring pro status, so all three qualify as rookies in 2005.

 

[lamar25]

Congratulations to Tracie, who certainly played well this year. Still, this seems like a major upset. Kelly Fisher was also a rookie, managed to win WPBA San Diego and will finish the year ranked #5. Still, congratulations to both and, also, to Myuki Sakai, who played well in her first full WPBA season. All three of these rookies have a bright future, and I wish them continued success.

Late addition:

Some will ask why these three are considered rookies when each appeared in some events in 2004. In the WPBA, you're considered a rookie in the year in which you first earn your WPBA touring pro status, so all three qualify as rookies in 2005.

Hey "sjm",
I also do not know the WPBA qualifications for being voted
rookie of the year. Nor, do I know who does the voting.

Please review Pic Gallery per post #1 in this thread, (link provided). I have added comments to Tracies pictures to advise viewers of what Tracie had to face in an 8 day period prior to this event.

As for 9th & 10th days prior to this event:
Tracie played in the 1st revised SEAL Tour Stop which now allows the women pro players.
The field of 28 players included 7 WPBA players, including former SEAL players, Tracie Hines, Janet Atwell, Kelly Fischer, & Val Finney. The other 3 pros were Monica Webb, Helena Thornfeldt & Alice Rim.
Tracie won this event undefeated and her last 3 matches were: TH 7-AR 4, TH 7-MW 5 & TH 9-KF 3.
This event was held just north of Atlanta in Duluth, Ga. at the new POOL ROOM II.

"Have A Nice Day",
Lamar

 

[girlwon1]

Hello all,

I wasnt going to post the pictures I took because I just got the digital camera, and I am trying to learn which settings are the best when you cant use a flash, alot are a little blurry. I saw the other pictures just posted, and I felt a little better trying to share what I took, as I see it just might be difficult for anyone. I am going to try to post pictures for you all at each event this next year I go to. I had to delete alot from this group but there are some in there for you. I made sure I stayed late last night and watched Ga Young's and Karen's match. I love that Ga Young plays so fast and aggressive!

Here is the link.

http://azbilliardsforum.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

I will try to get a lot of different photos next time. Like I said, I had to erase alot. You can also tell I am good friends with Megan Minerich and Susan Williams. I got a good one of Jennifer's backside for all you fellas.

 

[kcpoolfan]

Hello all,

I wasnt going to post the pictures I took because I just got the digital camera, and I am trying to learn which settings are the best when you cant use a flash, alot are a little blurry. I saw the other pictures just posted, and I felt a little better trying to share what I took, as I see it just might be difficult for anyone. I am going to try to post pictures for you all at each event this next year I go to. I had to delete alot from this group but there are some in there for you. I made sure I stayed late last night and watched Ga Young's and Karen's match. I love that Ga Young plays so fast and aggressive!

Here is the link.

http://azbilliardsforum.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

I will try to get a lot of different photos next time. Like I said, I had to erase alot. You can also tell I am good friends with Megan Minerich and Susan Williams. I got a good one of Jennifer's backside for all you fellas.

you didnt get any of karen from her match with ga young kim? how could you not get any of karen ?

 

[girlwon1]

you didnt get any of karen from her match with ga young kim? how could you not get any of karen ?

I did. When I took it, I thought of you actually. Quite funny. I think it is one of the last ones. I thought, I need to take one for kcpoolfan at least!

Again, I had to delete quite a few.

girlwon1

I just added it, I saw it didnt get added on the original try.

 

[cuechick]

Hello all,

I wasnt going to post the pictures I took because I just got the digital camera, and I am trying to learn which settings are the best when you cant use a flash, alot are a little blurry. I saw the other pictures just posted, and I felt a little better trying to share what I took, as I see it just might be difficult for anyone. I am going to try to post pictures for you all at each event this next year I go to. I had to delete alot from this group but there are some in there for you. I made sure I stayed late last night and watched Ga Young's and Karen's match. I love that Ga Young plays so fast and aggressive!

Here is the link.

http://azbilliardsforum.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

I will try to get a lot of different photos next time. Like I said, I had to erase alot. You can also tell I am good friends with Megan Minerich and Susan Williams. I got a good one of Jennifer's backside for all you fellas.

What kind of camera are you using and how many mega pixels? Your pics seem to be over exposed so you may be able to set it to a lower ISO? Do you have any manual settings or is it all automatic. Also adjusting the light balance might help? The light on tables is usually more than sufficant to get good images without flash. YOu can also make adjustments after with a good editing program like photoshop, by adjusting the brightness/contrast options to darken some of these...
Not bad though for your first try...sometimes the blur is from actually moving the camera while taking the pic. I rec you lock your elbows and make sure your only pushing gently on the shutter button and not pushing the whole camera down. Doing this in even low light situtions will yield better results.
You can also adjust the quality level in some cameras, these ar epretty pixely but if your using something below 3 mega that may be why.

 

[kcpoolfan]

I did. When I took it, I thought of you actually. Quite funny. I think it is one of the last ones. I thought, I need to take one for kcpoolfan at least!

Again, I had to delete quite a few.

girlwon1

I just added it, I saw it didnt get added on the original try.

thanks girlone i appreciate it...it is a far one but thanks for adding it lol maybe her big collar got in her way and kept her from advancing lol

 

[onepocketchump]

Congratulations to Tracie, who certainly played well this year. Still, this seems like a major upset. Kelly Fisher was also a rookie, managed to win WPBA San Diego and will finish the year ranked #5. Still, congratulations to both and, also, to Myuki Sakai, who played well in her first full WPBA season. All three of these rookies have a bright future, and I wish them continued success.

Late addition:

Some will ask why these three are considered rookies when each appeared in some events in 2004. In the WPBA, you're considered a rookie in the year in which you first earn your WPBA touring pro status, so all three qualify as rookies in 2005.

Yeah, this is BS Kelly was clearly the "Rookie of the Year". Oh well, she has a title and a top ten ranking to prove she belongs there. No offense to Tracie but if the WPBA is not going to treat Kelly Fisher like the pro she is by letting her bypass the usual qualifying stages then they ought to give her the accolades that go with having to go through them.

John

 

[pooltchr]

I think it would be interesting to know what criteria the WPBA uses in selecting the rookie of the year. Not taking anything away from Tracie, but I don't see how Kelly could not have been awarded this title. Is the decision based on average finish, points won, or something like that....or is it just an arbitrary decision to give it to whoever they think should get it? Does anyone know what the selection process involves?
Steve

 

[Snapshot9]

Girlwon1

I would suggest 1 of the table top tripods. They don't cost
much, and are well worth it, and are fairly small.

 

[onepocketchump]

Congratulations to Tracie, who certainly played well this year. Still, this seems like a major upset. Kelly Fisher was also a rookie, managed to win WPBA San Diego and will finish the year ranked #5. Still, congratulations to both and, also, to Myuki Sakai, who played well in her first full WPBA season. All three of these rookies have a bright future, and I wish them continued success.

Late addition:

Some will ask why these three are considered rookies when each appeared in some events in 2004. In the WPBA, you're considered a rookie in the year in which you first earn your WPBA touring pro status, so all three qualify as rookies in 2005.

Everyone present knew that it was Kelly's title. Tracie went from 41 to 24 and Kelly went from UNRANKED to #5. And that is with having played almost NO 9 Ball before coming here. Shame on you WPBA. Your double standards and hypocrisy are astounding. Why did you make Kelly Fisher travel all over the United States going to your asinine "qualifying" tournaments and treat her like an amateur to not give her the award she clearly earned? I challenge ANYONE from the WPBA to come on this board and provide US, the fans and friends of Kelly Fisher with a explanation that is even halfway justifiable.

John Barton

PS. Kelly said that Tracie played PHENOMENALLY in Atlanta and deserved to win the SEAL tournament the way she was playing. I have nothing against Tracie but I believe that even Tracie would agree that under the WPBA structure she was outperformed by Kelly Fisher over the same amount of time.

 

[Barbara]

I challenge ANYONE from the WPBA to come on this board and provide US, the fans and friends of Kelly Fisher with a explanation that is even halfway justifiable.

John Barton

Well John I'm just a voting member of the WPBA but I may have some insight into this one.

Kelly Fisher's behavior while competing on the Regional Tours with Val Finnie may have contributed greatly to this decision. I won't say anything more unless you provoke me.

Barbara

 

[Eric.]

Hello all,

I wasnt going to post the pictures I took because I just got the digital camera, and I am trying to learn which settings are the best when you cant use a flash, alot are a little blurry.

Part of the problem with digital cameras is the amount of time it takes the processor thing (I think it's called a CCD) to acquire the image. Most older and alot of low to mid level cameras take a longer time to get the pic in low light situations. I havea 5 megapixel cam that I bought a few years ago. It's just a mid level camera and I have the same problem in low light. There is not much you can do without the flash. You can speed up the shutter speed, but this can lower the quality of the snapshot. Damned if you don't and... Maybe someone more in tha know can chime in.

I'm not the camera expert but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...


Eric >hope this helps a little

 

[pooltchr]

Barbara,
Reading between the lines, it sounds like the selection process is not based strictly on performance on the table, points earned, top finishes, or movement through the WPBA ranking system. That would indicate that it is more of a political decision as opposed to a performance evaluation. You are also suggesting that something that happened last year outside the scope of the WPBA tournaments, and even during the time prior to the year 2005, which is the year the award is being made, are all taken into consideration? I'm not trying to provoke an argument here, I'm just trying to understand how the decision is reached.

If things that happen prior to a player's rookie year enter into the equation, don't you find it a bit odd that a 7 time professional world snooker championship would have to go through the qualifying process to get on the tour? I would think those credentials would almost certainly qualify someone to have immediate touring pro status. I had heard there were some somewhat less than favorable feelings toward Kelly and Val on the part of some of the players on the regional tour last year, but I'm surprised if personal feelings are allowed to enter into the selection process for an award such as this. So my bottom line question is...Is the selection process performance based, or politically based? Can you explain the selection process, and what goes into the decision?
Steve

 

[sjm]

I wonder if this is a Hideki Matsui situation all over again. Let me explain.

In either 2002 or 2003, Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees seemed a heavy favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award after having a fine rookie year. As the vote neared, however, a great debate surrounded the matter. After all, Matsui had been a star of Japanese major league baseball for years prior to joining the Yankees. Could he logically be viewed as a rookie, some asked? Sure enough, Matsui didn't win the award.

I wonder if similar reasoning by those who voted hurt Kelly Fisher's chances. After all, Kelly Fisher excelled at cuesports for many years prior to her arrival on American soil.

Maybe she just got the Hideki Matsui treatment.

 

[lamar25]

New info

Hey "sjm", onepocketchump (John Barton), pooltchr (Steve), "Barbara",

I've just been advised, to be eligible for WPBA Rookie of the Year, the player must start the season with a "Touring Pro" status. As I understand Kelly Fischer & Myuki Sakai did not earn "Touring Pro" status until after the start of the 2005 season. Meaning that Kelly & Myuki will be eligible for Rookie of the Year in the "WPBA 2006 Tour".

Barbara, being a voter, can you verify.

"Have A Nice Day All"
Lamar

 

[sjm]

Hey "sjm", onepocketchump (John Barton), pooltchr (Steve), "Barbara",

I've just been advised, to be eligible for WPBA Rookie of the Year, the player must start the season with a "Touring Pro" status. As I understand Kelly Fischer & Myuki Sakai did not earn "Touring Pro" status until after the start of the 2005 season. Meaning that Kelly & Myuki will be eligible for Rookie of the Year in the "WPBA 2006 Tour".

Barbara, being a voter, can you verify.

"Have A Nice Day All"
Lamar

Not exactly. I'm almost certain Tracie became a touring pro during, not prior to, the 2005 season. Then again, if the rule for qualifiying as a rookie was "the year after the one in which a player earns their WPBA touring pro status", Ga Young Kim, who earned her touring status during the 2004 WPBA season, would have been a landslide winner. Something doesn't add up here.

 

[onepocketchump]

Well John I'm just a voting member of the WPBA but I may have some insight into this one.

Kelly Fisher's behavior while competing on the Regional Tours with Val Finnie may have contributed greatly to this decision. I won't say anything more unless you provoke me.

Barbara

I was hoping that you would open this can of worms. You just could not let it go could you? Consider yourself provoked. Why don't you tell us what factors, in your opinion as a regional tournament promoter/director and a voting member of the WPBA (slight conflict of interest in my opinion) have contributed to Kelly Fisher getting robbed of the title that she clearly earned. And, remember, before you go off sending your husband to kill me, that you decided to bring this up.

I yield the floor.

John

 

[Barbara]

Why don't you tell us what factors, in your opinion as a regional tournament promoter/director and a voting member of the WPBA (slight conflict of interest in my opinion) have contributed to Kelly Fisher getting robbed of the title that she clearly earned. And, remember, before you go off sending your husband to kill me, that you decided to bring this up.

I yield the floor.

John

I had no idea I was eligible to vote for ROY. I just voted for the WPBA Officers. I have no idea who votes for ROY.

Barbara