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poolguy
USA
54 Posts |
 Posted - 04/01/2008 : 6:38:36 PM
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Just got back from the Southwest Challenge. I had a ball and it was very worth while. Saw lots of good pool, and even played Melissa Herndon several times. Never beat her ... unless you consider her knocking the 8-ball into the side pocket a win ... :)
The good:
Lots and lots of pool. Meeting players from other areas and some from our area that I'd never talked to before. Seeing some of the most creative shot making I've ever seen ... and the guy was a '6', not a '7'.
The bad:
The tables were the worst I've ever played on ... extremely slow. Even Melissa had trouble with the speed. This isn't the APA's fault, but in the future I'd suggest making sure the tables are appropriate for a large tournament. And it was somewhat disheartening to ask for a referee to watch a potential double hit and have him blow the call. Whoever referees at a large event should be well trained and know how to make a call like this.
I wouldn't have missed last weekend for anything. What a ball.
John
It only hurts if you miss. |
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Historytchr
15 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 09:05:32 AM
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The bad:
The tables were the worst I've ever played on ... extremely slow. Even Melissa had trouble with the speed. This isn't the APA's fault, but in the future I'd suggest making sure the tables are appropriate for a large tournament. And it was somewhat disheartening to ask for a referee to watch a potential double hit and have him blow the call. Whoever referees at a large event should be well trained and know how to make a call like this.
John,
I thought that the majority of the tables that I played on were very good. The roll was consistant and the rails were true. There were, however, a set of tables, I believe with the blue felt, that were a little questionable. As for the referee did he/she really make a bad call or are you just upset that the call went against you? 
Either way you were correct this past weekend was great.
I look forward to seeing what Nationals will be like in May.
Ted |
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poolguy
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 12:03:53 AM
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It's interesting that you found the tables "good". I would agree with your comment that they were consistent, but I found them so slow that I felt I was playing in a sandbox.
The bad call didn't affect the outcome, since I was playing a '3' and didn't lose a game. I'm glad it wasn't in a close game, since a bad call can swing things one way or the other.
A double hit is not an easy call to make, and both the players on my team thought the hit was good. That's because they, also, don't know how to call this shot.
Let me put the shot into perspective. The balls were about .5 to .75 inches apart, and aimed pretty much at a pocket. The '3' was instructed by her coach to jack up and shoot, which she did. The cue ball jumped up and then went forward at least a foot and a half. That's impossible with draw. Since the cue ball jumped up, some folks will argue that could have made the shot OK. But I'm convinced it was a bad call based on the action of the cue ball after contact.
John
It only hurts if you miss. |
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Doug Gill
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 1:56:53 PM
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Ok..............
Here's something for you to chew on...........
A) The SWC is planned, directed, staffed and REFEREED entirely by League Operators from California, New Mexico(?), Nevada and Arizona (for no pay I might add!). A few of these League Operators have even been "certified" by the APA to referee at the National tournaments. Additionally, ALL of the League Operators are very proficient and skilled players in their own right; therefore, I believe, fully qualified to call a "bad hit". Based on your statement, it seems that you were the only one that saw the shot as you did. I didn't see it, so I can't say.
B)I have been playing in the SWC for approximately 7 yrs. This includes both the 8 & 9 ball formats. The entire time, I have been part of the table setup crew. This equates out to between 600-700 tables that I personally have touched. The past 3-4 years I have been the unofficial "Crew Leader" responsible for making sure that "The tables were the worst I've ever played on ... extremely slow." were ready. At the last minute (Wednesday nite), I was not able to make it but I have spoken to those of "my" crew that were there. (FYI...Table setup started at 9:00 am Thursday morning, by the way.)
1. At least 40 of the tables were Valley in "almost new" condition with the original factory felt.
2. 5 more tables were re-felted onsite.
3. Now, 5 tables came in that were questionable, but not nearly as bad a condition as some bar tables that many have played on.
Regardless, there were at least 40 tables available by middle/late Thursday afternoon and 50 tables ready by Friday. They didn't have Grade A Simomnis felt, which may have accounted for some of your issues.
I am glad to hear that you had a good time but it does get a little onerous to hear people nitpick at a tournament of this caliber when the only winners are US, the players.
Good Shooting All! |
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Rick
65 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 3:56:18 PM
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Whether the tables were good , bad , slow , fast , red , green or pink with blue spots , the fact is they are no-ones " home " table and as a consequence , a level playing field for all that play on them .
I play on a league where there is maybe one good table , an advantage to the home team whenever they play there , and a disadvantage to them when they play away . It all evens out in the end . |
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poolguy
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 5:46:00 PM
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First, the tables were set up well. I saw no real bad rolls. The felt was slow and the bumpers were even slower. That's my complaint. I was at the APA singles and team nationals last year and the tables at those events played much, much faster, and were a joy to play on.
I also realize that the slow tables affected both players evenly. I just think it would have been even more fun if the tables had been better.
And I *did* hear Melissa Herndon complain about not being able to get the speed of the table under control. She can play blazes around me and what I took her comment to mean was that I wasn't the only one having "problems".
John
It only hurts if you miss. |
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Southwest Challenga
