Untitled Document

The GAINESVILLE BILLIARD NEWS
Issue No. 5 - Summer 2005

"NICE RACK" TEAM WINS TRIP TO APA NATIONALS

The "Nice Rack" team, playing out of the GAINESVILLE APA 8-BALL TRAVEL LEAGUE on Wednesday nights, are the proud winners of a trip to Las Vegas to play in the American Poolplayers Association National Tournament. Team captain John Graham led his team to victory in the elimination tournament at Ocala in June. Other team members include Joey Kennedy, Linda Graham, Chris Hollinger, Michael Mitchell, John Randall, John Randi, Chris Fabian and Don Kreischer.

Information on APA local leagues and tournament qualifiers can be found at their website.

"FNG" TEAM TAKES HOME $1450
FOR 8-BALL LEAGUE EFFORT

After a rocky start, with three teams dropping out and one joining during the first half of the season, the JEWELLS TUESDAY 8-BALL LEAGUE completed play on June 7, with the "FNG" team taking home the First Place Prize of $1300! Team members included Scott Edwards, Akemi Harris, Allen Harris, Brent Moore, Charlie Mosier, Buddy Register and Bear Snay. In addition to the $1300, Scott won $30 for his share of first place in the season-ending Scotch Doubles Tourney, Alan cashed $20 for second in the Doubles, Brent finished with second high average for the season (9.26) for $50, and Akemi had high average among women players (9.12) for $50, giving the FNG team a total of $1450 in winnings.
The "Ferrule" Cats (Treniss Evans, Jonathan Freeman, Chris Hollinger, Frank Jackson, Donny Lutz, Chuck Strange and Abe Walts) took second for $800, while the "Deuce Squad" (Jason Nash, Steve Thornton, Stevie Thornton, DJ Zwicker and Ashlee Nash) finished third for $400. Donny teamed with Scott to split $60 in the Scotch Doubles, while Stevie Thornton teamed with Alan in the Doubles for his second place share, $20.

The competition for $100 MVP prize was keen, with the top six players going into the final night of the regular season as follows:

1 - Donny Lutz, 9.32

2 - Charlie Mosier, 9.31

3 - Brent Moore, 9.26

4 - Bear Snay, 9.13

5 - Akemi Harris, 9.12

6 - Alan Harris, 8.94

The FNG team played the Ferrule Cats in the final Position Round on May 31, and when the dust had settled, the top six players were as follows:

1 - Donny Lutz, 9.31

2 - Brent Moore, 9.26

3 - Akemi Harris, 9.12

4 - Charlie Mosier, 9.10

5 - Bear Snay, 9.02

6 - Alan Harris, 8.96

Jewells added $1,000 to the prize fund allowing for the very nice pay-off for a 6-team league. There won't be a summer session, but the league may resume in the future if there is enough interest, perhaps in a SANCTIONED BCA League, that would qualify individuals and teams for BCA Nat'l and State Tournaments.

"THE GRUMPY OLD PRO"

Q: Can women play pool as well as men?

A: What planet do you live on? Or did you throw out your TV in the '80s? Ten years ago, the top women players were not close to being on a par with the top men. One of my teammates on my Tim Scruggs Cues Masters team in '92, Jimmy Scrima, often said he would play any woman in the world for money. He would have had his hands full even then, but it was not an outrageous claim. But if Jimmy still makes that claim, he may be living in a fantasy world. When Allison Fisher left England for the US in 1998, the world of pool changed forever. She dominated the women's pro tour as no one else had ever done. A couple years later, Karen Corr followed her from the British Isles (Ireland to be exact) and dominated for a year, before Fisher stepped her game up a notch and began to win titles once again. The other women on the tour, once they got over their initial shock, also raised their level of play, especially Jeannette Lee, and now the quality of women's play does compare with the men! In fact, Karen and Jeannette play in some men's events and do very well.

It's only a matter of time until a woman actually wins a men's event. The only reason this hasn't happened yet, is that there are many more high level male players, so the men's tournaments are still harder to win than a women's event. Efren Reyes is still the best player in the world, but Allison may the most fundamentally sound. When I give lessons, I tell folks to imitate Allison. Bottom line is when you hear some idiot insult a male player with, "You play like a girl!" he is showing his stupidity as well as lack of respect for women. Granted, there aren't many good women players in Gainesville, but there are a few, maybe the best of which is Akemi Harris, who finished third in the competition for MVP in the Jewells Tuesday 8-Ball League with an average of 9.12!

Q: Is there a secret to using English?

A: Yes. DON'T! Forty years ago, Willie Mosconi told me I was using English on almost every shot when I didn't need to. Nine times out of ten, what the average player tries to accomplish with English can be accomplished by simply hitting higher or lower on the cue ball and/or adjusting the force applied to the shot. Avoiding the use of unnecessary English dramatically reduces the opportunity for error. Any good instructor will agree with this, and will demonstrate the principle for students. Remember the old "KISS" rule: Keep It Simple, Stupid!

"THE COLOR OF MONEY" MOVIE SUCKED

The Color of Money is a pretty good pool team at the Silver Q, but it was a lousy pool movie. It couldn't hold a dim candle to The Hustler. Not only did I see The Hustler when it first came out in 1961, but I lived some of those incredible scenes from the '50s era of pool. I even won a few bucks off old Charlie Dierkop who was one of the pool hall characters in the movie. Paul Newman, AND Piper Laurie should have received Oscars for their amazing performances. On the other hand, The Color of Money sucked. The Hustler had Mosconi setting up or actually shooting most of the shots for Newman and Gleason. I don't know who the hell they had doing this stuff for "Money" but he sure didn't know the game of pool.

The story became very tedious when Fast Eddie gave Vincent five chances to redeem himself after screwing up four times! I'd have dumped the kid after two failures. And most ridiculous of all, can you believe that Fast Eddie, or anyone in their right mind would actually toss a Balabushka across the room to Tom Cruise?

- Donny Lutz

A SUCCESSFUL LEAGUE REQUIRES
COOPERATION, RESPONSIBILITY

Proprietors: Maintain tables in good playing condition. Keep players informed by use of a bulletin board, intercom announcements and making the GBN available to customers.

League Directors: Hand out and/or post league standings, schedules. Furnish copies of league rules for all team captains. Start play on time. When leagues start late and end late, it is costing the house money, as there is often a waiting list for tables when leagues are in action.

Team Captains: Know the playing rules. Be responsible for making sure the team has enough players each week. Keep score of each match and fill out the entire score sheet. Collect fees from players. Have line-up made out and be ready to begin play at the scheduled time. Ask for postponements BEFORE the match is scheduled to begin, not when it's discovered that the team doesn't have enough players.

Players: Show up on time. Let captain know in advance if you can't show up on time. Know the playing rules. Play by the rules and practice good sportsmanship.

SPRING SESSION LEAGUE RESULTS FROM SILVER Q

The "Color of Money" team took top honors as the Silver Q Monday 8-Ball League completed play in June. Nick Scott led his teammates Josh Scott, Bruce Johnson, Shawn Mazzerle, Aspen Autry and Mike Bowman to victory with an average of 9.22. Second place honors went to The F-ing Hits team of Brendon, Jeff, Art, Steve, Sam and Matt. Finishing third, Balls Deep: Phil Prince, Happy Gilmore, John League, Brent Skotko and John Overstreet. Top six individual averages (25 or more games):

1 - Nick Scott, 9.22

2 - Bruce Johnson, 9.16

3 - Brendon, 9.06

4 - Josh Scott, 9.04

5 - Phil Prince, 8.99

6 - Jeff, 8.66

In the Silver Q Tuesday League competition, the "Run Out" team of Nick Scott, Shawn Mazzerle, Taer Bluett, Jared Heinaman, Mike Bowman and Bob Hardee, captured First Place. Finishing second was "Level 42", - Carlos Mal, Chris Storter, Mike Mutti, Matt Hampson and Mike Walsh. Third place, Sans-Ball: Phil Prince, Ryan Stroh, Kyle Vickroy, Gave Gallo and Seth Tucker. Assuming his usual place at the top, Mike Bowman held high average in the league. Top six averages:

1 - Mike Bowman, 9.40

2 - Nick Scott, 9.11

3 - Shawn Mazzerle, 8.87

4 - Taer Bluett, 8.75

5 - Chris Storter, 8.61

6 - Carlos Mal, 8.58

The champion of the Silver Q Wednesday 8-Ball competition was "Chumpzilla", Mike Bowman, Donny Lutz, Nick Scott, Shawn Mazzerle and Josh Scott, while "Last Minute" - Chris Storter, Leroy Cromwell, Leonard, Joe and Josh took second. Finishing third was "Team Ram Rod": Phil Prince, Brent Skotko, John League, Casey Salter and Robbie. Donny tied perennial top dog Mike Bowman at 9.57 to lead Chumpzilla, but edged him out for the unofficial MVP title (there is no prize in the Q leagues) by scoring a 50 as a sub, giving him an average of 9.60! Top six averages:

1 - Donny Lutz, 9.60

2 - Mike Bowman, 9.57

3 - Shawn Mazzerle, 9.51

4 - Nick Scott, 9.39

5 - Joe, 8.96

6 - Josh Scott, 8.72

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