Wpba

[Nostroke]

On the BD website, they are talking about ways to make their program more proactive, like Jasmin winning a qualifier then winning the event, but still having to again play in qualifiers.
She's the best thing to come along and could only help their cause, yet "rules is rules" change needs to happen and quick, no different than Deno saying next round "one foot on the floor".
Sometimes you got to take the shot instead of playing it safe.

Yeah i gave my minority opinion over there.

The wpba knows they need to get more variety and excitement in their shows (clapping after every shot is not the answer) but then they make it near impossible to break in. Maybe it's just a 'Good Ole Girls Club'.

I think the winners of the All Japan Championship, top 4 World Championship and perhaps others should be given automatic invites and more importantly no matter how you get in, if you make it to the final 4 , you get further invites. Im not looking for retroactive changes, just for the future. Anyway, it will be years for this to happen if ever.

 

[tigerallenyim]

I just read they only have seven tournaments for 2007. Thats not good. I know they are a great tour, but seven is going backwards. Pretty hard for the players to make any money on the tour. They better let them play in any tournament they want to or their going to lose some players. Johnnyt

Agreed. If they don't allow them to play elsewhere, them they should be at least competitive, or at least have better marketing. I just don't really understand how the attendance at these things had dropped off so much?

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Jude,

The BCA Vegas event is not considered to be a WPBA Classic event.

But you're right, if Jasmine were to win a Classic event, she would be granted Touring Pro status.

Barbara

Well, I still think the BCA Vegas event should be WPBA certified and should count toward eligibility and standings. I mean, for the most part, these are the same people playing in these events, no?

 

[Nostroke]

I just read they only have seven tournaments for 2007. Thats not good. I know they are a great tour, but seven is going backwards. Pretty hard for the players to make any money on the tour. They better let them play in any tournament they want to or their going to lose some players. Johnnyt

It's generally been 7 Plus the BCA lately. You think it is 6 plus BCA now?

 

[Island Drive]

If she still needs to qualify, that would be just ridiculous. Winning a WPBA Classic event should gain automatic pro-tour status. Having it any other way simply does not make sense. What's worse, although one would think she would not have a problem winning another qualifier, professionals continue to enter them so nothing is certain. I mean, she will gain her pro-tour status, no doubt but there are no guarantees about her winning the next qualifier which blows.

I totally agree, ck the BD forum;
What also happens, she can limit the players entering since they know they have NO chance at winning. Its the same problem with the BCA Junior qualifiers, if a local hot shot is there the other kids don't show up and participate because they know they can't get there.

 

[Island Drive]

Yeah i gave my minority opinion over there.

The wpba knows they need to get more variety and excitement in their shows (clapping after every shot is not the answer) but then they make it near impossible to break in. Maybe it's just a 'Good Ole Girls Club'.

I think the winners of the All Japan Championship, top 4 World Championship and perhaps others should be given automatic invites and more importantly no matter how you get in, if you make it to the final 4 , you get further invites. Im not looking for retroactive changes, just for the future. Anyway, it will be years for this to happen if ever.

The associations need to be sanctioned together so they can compete/interact and qualify the greats and get em matched up, plain and simple.
Just the cost of having to do the TWO step for Jasmine (win another qualifier, go back home etc. then come back and play in the qualified event) is HUGE, like someone said, its got the signs of being a "club", and we all know how the best players here in the states have "ALWAYS" wanted the venue to favor them. I'm not saying thats exactly the way it is, but if it smells like it and tastes like it..................................?

 

[Johnnyt]

Jasmine just about came out and said she wouldn’t be coming over here to qualify for many WPBA events when she was on the AZ CHAT. I’m sure more of them feel the same way…like X Pan.

With so few events and over two months in between some of the tournaments, people forget about them, stories are not in the billiard magazines every month, and sponsors start pulling their ads and sponsorships for the WPBA and the players.

As it is now only about six of them on the tour make anything like they would at a job. Tournament pool is getting to be a rich mans/women’s game. If you don’t have wealthy parents, a good sponsor, or in the top six, it’s just an expensive hobby. Johnnyt

 

[Island Drive]

Jasmine just about came out and said she wouldn’t be coming over here to qualify for many WPBA events when she was on the AZ CHAT. I’m sure more of them feel the same way…like X Pan.

With so few events and over two months in between some of the tournaments, people forget about them, stories are not in the billiard magazines every month, and sponsors start pulling their ads and sponsorships for the WPBA and the players.

As it is now only about six of them on the tour make anything like they would at a job. Tournament pool is getting to be a rich mans/women’s game. If you don’t have wealthy parents, a good sponsor, or in the top six, it’s just an expensive hobby. Johnnyt

Yep, and hobbies, like playing with your friends on a home table is a dead end game.

 

[girlwon1]

I believe that it was said when I was at the Vegas tournament is that she did not get the credit for her placement with a ranking because she refused to pay a WPBA membership fee. This membership fee was 100 dollars for semi pro or amateur status. This event was sanctioned by the WPBA. It impacted the rankings as a result. If she would have paid to be a member of the WPBA, then she would have received a ranking.

 

[pooltchr]

Jude,

The BCA Vegas event is not considered to be a WPBA Classic event.

But you're right, if Jasmine were to win a Classic event, she would be granted Touring Pro status.

Barbara

Have they changed the rules? Winning a classic event never gave TP status to anyone before. I used the example on CCB of Kelly Fisher...multiple world championships...no doubt about her talent, but she spent a year on qualifiers to get into the WPBA events. After that she needed to finish in the top half in 4 events to become a touring pro. Why should they change the rules for Jasmine?

Steve

 

[Johnnyt]

Are there a copy of the WPBA rules anywhere on the net? Johnnyt

PS. I wonder why Jasmine would'nt pay a $100 to get her points ranked. It makes no sense. She spent thousands to come over here. Whats another $100

 

[sjm]

Lots of strange stuff in this thread.

Firstly, the 2007 WPBA schedule would, most definitely, not be finalized by November, 2006. I'd be willing to wager that the organization continues to seek out at least one more venue to leave the number of events unchanged. In fact, that's my prediction.

Second, those who suggest the WPBA is in decline are mistaken. The organization has grown continously for 30 years now, unlike any other organzation in our sport's history.

I'll admit that the glitter of IPT play may have diverted some attention away from the WPBA this year, but that distraction won't exist in 2007. One again, one will have to attend a WPBA event to see the top ranked women. The WPBA has always had and continues to have strong leadership and there's no reason to believe that the sustained growth that the organization has enjoyed for decades won't continue.

I'm going on record as saying that I'm very bullish on the WPBA and it's future. Whether pool has been thrivng and also when it has been in decline, the WPBA has always grown.

As for all the Jasmin Ouschan comments, there's a lot of wild speculation in this thread. Let's start with this point: Whether Jasmin could earn an invitation to an event on ranking points or not is, arguably, of little import. Exceptional players that do not have WPBA touring pro status are allowed to play the qualifiers, and the result is that they get to play most or all of their early WPBA events without having to pay the $500 entry fee. If my memory serves, about seven years ago, Karen Corr cracked the top 10 in the WPBA rankings prior to earning her WPBA touring pro status. This allowed her to continue playing in the qualifiers, winning free entries into many WPBA events, incrasing her net income. A player of Jasmin's quality is as big a lock to win any qualifier she enters as Karen Corr once was, so the qualifiers, which also pay prize money, are good business for her, and I believe she'd play in them even if she could get into WPBA events by paying the entry fee of $500. Another point worth noting about Jasmin is that playing the entire WPBA tour is not in Jasmin's plans at this time. Hence, her attaiment of WPBA touring pro status could be a long way off and may not be important to her.

Now for the comments about the BCA Open, which has evolved into the Enjoypool.com Open. This is not a WPBA event and it does not have the same field as a WPBA event, as some have suggested. The customary formula has been that sixteen international players are invited into the field of 64, and there are several qualifier spots. The remaining spots go to WPBA players based on ranking. The WPBA opts to make WPBA ranking points available at this event, but need not do so if it doesn't wish to. The superb event is independently funded and produced.

 

[azhousepro]

Has anyone else heard anything about this event possibly not happening in 07?

Mike

 

[wahcheck]

sjm

Thanks SJM for the positive post regarding the WPBA....it just doesn't sit well with me that they might be in decline and eventually fail....I am a male pool player, but I applaud the success they have generated and I hope for much more for the future of the WPBA...

 

[Island Drive]

Has anyone else heard anything about this event possibly not happening in 07?

Mike

Possibly............is as close as it gets, PL promotions would be the best informed.

 

[9balllvr]

Have they changed the rules? Winning a classic event never gave TP status to anyone before. I used the example on CCB of Kelly Fisher...multiple world championships...no doubt about her talent, but she spent a year on qualifiers to get into the WPBA events. After that she needed to finish in the top half in 4 events to become a touring pro. Why should they change the rules for Jasmine?

Steve

I agree whole heartedly - she is talented, don't get me wrong - but what about the rest of us that spend a lot of money during the year attending qualifiers just to get a chance at a pro event - grinding out match after match with the same players that want it just as bad as you do - trying to refine our skills to finally be the dog having its day all along working a full-time job - why should she or anyone else have the right to just walk in because they had a great event or have a great pool resume - people like Kelly Fisher and Karen Corr had to earn their spot by going through the process. With that said, I do understand the logic that you guys have thrown out there.....if she is as strong as she appears, she will win what she needs to to be there......

 

[travis trotter]

wpba

the person who could answer all this is jay@wpba.com but his name is jay white he is the person who you would ask about the wpba

thanks

 

[Island Drive]

I agree whole heartedly - she is talented, don't get me wrong - but what about the rest of us that spend a lot of money during the year attending qualifiers just to get a chance at a pro event - grinding out match after match with the same players that want it just as bad as you do - trying to refine our skills to finally be the dog having its day all along working a full-time job - why should she or anyone else have the right to just walk in because they had a great event or have a great pool resume - people like Kelly Fisher and Karen Corr had to earn their spot by going through the process. With that said, I do understand the logic that you guys have thrown out there.....if she is as strong as she appears, she will win what she needs to to be there......

Without change is whats risky in life, nothing new ever comes out of it. Look how long it took to change from 48 to 64 players. There is somone in Europe trying to get WPBA qualifying events going, Asia should also be one too, but the WPBA should be the one going after it because they have something, not wait.......................wait for someone else to jump on board. The blonde bomshell from Australia, when do you think we'll see her again, when shes 30?

 

[9balllvr]

Without change is whats risky in life, nothing new ever comes out of it. Look how long it took to change from 48 to 64 players. There is somone in Europe trying to get WPBA qualifying events going, Asia should also be one too, but the WPBA should be the one going after it because they have something, not wait.......................wait for someone else to jump on board. The blonde bomshell from Australia, when do you think we'll see her again, when shes 30?

To answer your question. Jasmin has to proceed in a way that makes her happy and helps her make a living - if she sees fit to coming to America to play, then great - it is always wonderful to see new faces/games in the sport, but she should have to earn her way into the main events as everyone else has and will do - the regional tour process is how that is done at this point. As far as "change", I think the WPBA is making efforts at this time to inject more into the game, but ti does take time and some trial/error.

 

[Island Drive]

Have they changed the rules? Winning a classic event never gave TP status to anyone before. I used the example on CCB of Kelly Fisher...multiple world championships...no doubt about her talent, but she spent a year on qualifiers to get into the WPBA events. After that she needed to finish in the top half in 4 events to become a touring pro. Why should they change the rules for Jasmine?

Steve

You missed the point, change the rules for the sport, the game, for a better gate, for increased interest in the WPBA and for the industry NOT just for Jasmine.