Sorry for the long break. I figured out a few things about pool and my game and rather than write about it and ruin it I decided to ride it out. Had a good little run there where I felt like I was actually playing okay and was maybe about to turn a corner...
Well the ride's over. I took a week off after getting a little burnt out on pool in Vegas and lost it. Never did make it around that corner either. Two steps forward, one step back...
I'll probably write something soon about what I figured out hoping it helps some of the other hacks out there who struggle just like me but, right now, I think I'm gonna write about "How to Fix Pool." If this topic sounds familiar it's because it's also the subject of this month's Pool Synergy which is a bunch of pool bloggers who write about the same subject once a month.
No, I'm not a part of Pool Synergy nor do I wish to be, I couldn't get my shit together once a month and, honesty, I'm not that interesting - I just find this topic intriguing and after reading some of the articles...well rather than writing a bunch of long comments I thought I'd just address it here.
First, I think the topic should be changed to "How to Fix PROFESSIONAL Pool." I just came back from two of the largest amateur events there is - the Super Billiards Expo and the BCA National Amateur Championships - and while it wasn't as big a turnout as it's been in previous years there still was plenty of people.
The Local amateur tournaments also seem to be doing okay. I see full fields for the Predator Tour and about 30-40 people showing up to compete in the Tri-States Tour regularly.
I also don't see an issue with the amateur leagues. Amsterdam Billiards Team 9-ball on Thursday nights has 200 plus players for the summer season, a typically slower season. And the APA is still one of America's best and fastest growing franchises.
The problem isn't with pool in general, it's with Professional pool, as the amateur game is just fine.
Second, why is pool always expect to become a "mainstream" sport that's on par with baseball, football, golf or tennis? Why isn't it ever compared to other sports more in it's category like bowling or bass fishing, two other recreational sports?
What are the normal payouts for a professional bowling tournament or a professional fishing tournament? What do those professionals make a year?
Look, I love pool and it would be great if a professional pool player could make Tiger Woods type money but, honestly, it's just not going to happen. Even when pool was at one of it's most popular points, right after the movie the Color of Money came out, I didn't see extremely huge payouts in tournaments, companies rushing to sponsor players or great media coverage during that time. If it didn't happen then it's pretty doubtful that it's gonna suddenly happen now or in the near future, especially in this economy. It's just an unrealistic expectation.
Third, it's not pool's image of the gambler, the hustler, the degenerate, that's the problem and I wish people would stop using it as an excuse for all of pool's woes. Poker is based on gambling yet poker's extremely mainstream now. The UFC use to have an image of being too violent and look how much that sport has grown. The image isn't the issue - that can be overcome so quit blaming it.
Having said that I do have an idea on how to fix professional pool and it's GET ORGANIZED.
There's no organization in pool. Even when there is an organization they're so disorganized.
*cough*cough*WPBA*cough*cough*
Then, when you do have an organization that you think would be on the up and up, say like the WORLD POOL ASSOCIATION, an organization that sanctions all the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, they have issues like, you know, PAYING THE PLAYERS.
Just a small little issue but something that probably should be addressed don't you think?
Get organized. Make a standard for being able to call yourself a professional. Make it means something to BE a professional.
Oh, and make sure you get paid.
