APA on The Price is Right

I love seeing things like this - pool showing up even in the most unusual of mainstream places!

Like this guy wearing an APA shirt on the Price is Right!

(click image to enlarge)

Congrat's to Bobbi!

My friend Bobbi from Oklahoma was asking how to find the books Play Your Best Pool by Phil Capelle and Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert.

I figured she was trying to find out where to buy them because of this blog.  I know, I harp A LOT about these two books!

Well, she got them only a couple of weeks ago and then played in the APA Nationals Singles in Vegas this week.

She placed 3rd!!!!!!!

Look how happy she looks!!

She texted me and said that the books helped!  She said she didn't really remember all the points in the book but it helped her play well and smart.

I'm so proud of her!!!

I want a trophy that large one day!

Congrat's, Honey.  Proud of you!  Third place in a Nationals tournament is fantastic!! 

To APA Or Not To APA

I saw so many of my friends show their pure excitement when they won the APA city tourney!  My female friends, 8 of them, had just won a trip to Vegas!

On Facebook they would count down the days!  They talked about it all the time - in person, on FB, on the phone, they were stoked!

When Vegas came, I saw so many posts about how much fun they were having!

After Vegas, I still heard what a great time they had, and from other teams, as well.

I wanted to be a part of that, I told myself.  It sounds like so much fun!

On Labor Day weekend, I was talking to one of the girls who had gone to Vegas.  Found out she didn't have a team this season.  Really?  hmmm...

I joked we should get a team together.  She immediately said yes.  And two other females in the pool room that day were also interested.

Wow!

I texted the league operator about her Saturday league to get some info.  Where it was located (turns out near my house, instead of the far away pool room I didn't like), and I would start off as a 6, and we would need 5 players on Saturday, but we could have 8.

I was excited about the possibility of this ladies team in APA!  And to find out this every-other-Saturday league was near my house was even better.  The previews location they held the ladies league, I don't like it all that much.  Too far, too much construction along the way, always hot, etc. 

A few days later, I call that first friend of mine and she was contacting other players for us and was still waiting to hear back.  I contacted the league operator and she suggested I call, instead of text.

Well, SHIT.

Turns out there are TWO APA leagues on Saturdays in my area.

One is mixed and EVERY Saturday (which I can't do) and the other is the ladies league, but it's now a 3-person team (not 5, ugh) at that pool room I don't really want to drive to (even if for every other Saturday).

So, dang, I had to call my friends and tell them I can't play after all this season.  :(

I found out the season is not long, so maybe next season I'll look into this again, as I sure was excited at first.

Pool is Family

One of my fellow pool playing friends had a great experience at APA Nationals this month.  He wrote a kind of thank you post on FB and I wanted to share it because it touches upon how pool really is a family, and goes beyond just playing the game we love.


From Larry Nicholson:

"About a year ago, Curtis Cardwell asked me to join his Masters team. What would come from the decision to join is unbelievable - "The Story".

Each pool player starts the journey, one day, picking up a cue with timidness and looking at the table & balls with fear.  Perhaps they start at their house or on a random night out with a couple friends.

Unbeknownst to us, this is the start of an amazing journey.

At first, it's just "fun." One day out of the blue, someone invites us to play "league."  Maybe with a little reluctance, because we first think 'we aren't good enough', we are convinced to try it.

Over time, we get better at the game, and get to compete.  Then the world comes to an end - Playoffs, Tri-cups, and Cities. OMG, the nerves prohibit your legs from standing still, and everyone's watching, and "I want to go to Vegas."

Most of us can relate to this so far, and some can already express the sense of accomplishment getting to Vegas. Ahhhhh, the "Destiny" is complete, or is it?

This year, was an eye-opener, even for me.  Only with the intent on shedding some color to the testament, I've been to Vegas 6 times for APA and well over a dozen times with other organizations.

This year was very special to me personally, and an experience I'll never forget. Sure, the team performed well by finishing 5th, but that had nothing to do with it.  Our matches were played in front of tremendous supporters from all over, not only Texas, but California, Florida, and I'm sure other places as well.   Matches weren't just played against other opponents, but were played against friends and the camaraderie & sportsmanship was exemplary.

Still, though, there's more.

Outside of the event, the vision of what it is all about came to light.  People, friends and strangers coming together and forming memories and bonds that will last a lifetime IS what it is all about.

Some got to Vegas, but didn't get to play.  Another person (non pool player) was left in Vegas all alone.   The players stepped up to replace sorrow with joy, solitude with company, and made sacrifices for the sake of others.

My friends, this is what the game we enjoy is all about, and what the APA provides a portal to do.

The opportunities for friendships, relationships, and in some cases, be heroes to others surround us. It is a fact that in our world of pool -- We are a Family!"

-Larry

One of the League Operators (Les Moore) replied:

Very well stated and proud to say, you are one of the family and very proud of the way Quad 7's played in Vegas and especially the great display of sportsmanship throughout the experience.

Another friend added:

"Larry those words you wrote down, the story you told was the best I have read in very long time. You have taken something that some take for granted and reminded us what "this" is all about. And you let everyone become part of the experience. Thank You."