WPBA Then and NOW
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
If you look at the stat of how many games they run out, and how many innings it took them to run out a table on average, I think you will notice that they are all pretty good these days.
One big difference is the break--the breaks of some top ladies of our time such as Xiaoting Pan, and Jasmin Ouschan have set a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'breaking like a girl."
One big difference is the break--the breaks of some top ladies of our time such as Xiaoting Pan, and Jasmin Ouschan have set a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'breaking like a girl."
I disagree, maybe
Johnny,
I disagree about some of them, maybe all. The level of play from 1980 wouldn't get the job done for most of them today but with today's equipment and playing against today's level of competition many of their games would improve substantially.
Years ago I read somewhere that the highest level we will rise to is just good enough to beat the competition, if we rise to that level. I think that is true and that better competition creates better players. I love open competition and the chance to battle the best, win or lose. Nothing does more to toughen a player unless it is missing meals when you gamble everything and lose.
Hu
Johnnyt said:
Johnny,
I disagree about some of them, maybe all. The level of play from 1980 wouldn't get the job done for most of them today but with today's equipment and playing against today's level of competition many of their games would improve substantially.
Years ago I read somewhere that the highest level we will rise to is just good enough to beat the competition, if we rise to that level. I think that is true and that better competition creates better players. I love open competition and the chance to battle the best, win or lose. Nothing does more to toughen a player unless it is missing meals when you gamble everything and lose.
Hu
I completely agree. I saw Xiaoting shoot for the first time yesterday on ESPN and she has one of the strongest breaks that I've ever seen in a woman. And she's very smart in her offensive and defensive shots. This was the first time in a long time that I sat and watched pool on ESPN without chaning the channel. Same goes for when I watch Jasmin and Ga Young.X Breaker said:
Johnnyt
I agree with you!
Johnny, because in 1971 or 72, I played Dorothy White (Dotty) on a full sized table, and took $400 off of her (Which wasn't bad money back then). I could have given her the 7 ball. This took place in Houston right after she had won a big woman's tournament.
Johnny, because in 1971 or 72, I played Dorothy White (Dotty) on a full sized table, and took $400 off of her (Which wasn't bad money back then). I could have given her the 7 ball. This took place in Houston right after she had won a big woman's tournament.
Johnnyt said:
JT,
Was there even a WPBA in 1980 (and were they playing 9-ball)? I doubt there were many 9-ball specialists among the women back then.
Snapshot9 said:
Her name was Dorothy Wise and she was not known to gamble. So what's up with this post.
Johnnyt said:
In a nutshell, I agree! In 1980 there was Jean, and then all the rest. Loree Jon, Robin and Ewa were just getting started back then. Maybe not even on tour yet. The best of the rest in those days were probably Geraldine Titcomb, Gloria Walker, Mary Kenniston and Belinda.
Oh Lori Shampo was around and she COULD play! So it was Jeanie and Lori who could play with the top women today. And that's it.
The athletes today in just about any sport are superior to those of thirty or more years ago. Diet, training, and equipment, among other things have changed for the better. Hell most athletes trained at the bar before going out on the field. That’s how I use to train before a match. On the other hand when I tried it with stock cars and boxing and it didn’t work as well. Johnnyt
Last edited:
Johnnyt said:
Hmmm. Know where you're coming from, but I don't agree.
From memory, the top lady players of the early 1980's:
Jean Balukas
Loree Jon Jones
Gloria Walker
Belinda Bearden (now Belinda Campos)
Lori Shampo
Ewa Mataya (now Ewa Laurance)
Robin Bell (now Robin Dodson)
Fran Crimi
Billie Billing
I believe that, in their best form, they were all good enough to be ranked in the Top 20 today. Four of them are BCA Hall of Famers (Balukas, Jones, Laurance, Dodson) , and I wouldn't bet against Belinda getting in one of these days. Gloria Walker was a strong player, even by today's standards, perhaps comparable to Tiffany Nelson. Lori Shampo also played about that same speed, and was a very strong action player that had some success gambling against the men. Fran Crimi was in the WPBA Top 16 as recently as 2002. Billie Billing ran a 98 in straight pool in my presence, so she played well, too, though straight pool was her best game.
I would agree that the next tier of lady players from the early 80's would have been hard pressed to crack the top 32 today. Done form memory, so I hope I haven't forgotten any of the strong players from back then.
I think you are being too harsh, Johnny T. No doubt, though, the ladies play much stronger today and the fields are very deep right now.
