Posted On Wednesday, October 30th, 2002 By David Veatch
As I’ve previously stated, I’ve been playing a lot of pool lately. Thing is, while I’m winning more games than not, I’m just not happy with my game. Case in point… I got 2nd in Sunday’s house 8-ball tournament*, and won 5 out of 6 games for 55 out of 60 possible points during Monday night BCA 8-ball league. In spite of those victories, as well as the general results during random pick-up matches, I’m just not happy with my performance lately. I’ve talked with several people about it, and have come up with some possibilities. Possibility #1: I’m playing a lot more safeties, which forces my opponents to give up ball in hand a lot more. This is good, but it doesn’t carry the vicseral pleasure that running a table does. So, though I’m winning more, it doesn’t feel quite as good as if I were winning by running-out. Thoughts: This is possible. It’s definitely true that I’m playing a lot more safeties. Safeties are really the only defense in pool, and a the best offense is a good defense (as I’ve heard, anyway… I’m not totally convinced). It’s also true that a good safety, at least for me, more »
Posted On Sunday, October 27th, 2002 By David Veatch
Today’s tournament was… odd, in a way. It was odd b/c I really didn’t have my heart in it. Sure, I would have liked to have won, but I didn’t feel a burning desire in my chest telling me I *had* to win. That said, I did better today than in any of the previous tournaments, getting all the way to the final match for 1st and 2nd place. My first match was against a new face belonging to a guy named Ted. He is an official APA 4, but honestly plays like a 2 or 3. I don’t get the APA handicaps. I really don’t. I, and the rest of the people on my team consider me a pretty solid 4, creeping slowly up to a 5. If this guy is a 4, then I’m more like a 6, and the rest of my team needs to adjust accordingly. It’s silly, I tell you. Silly. The second match was also something of a rout with the final score at 4-0 my favor. The thing is, I was just getting lucky. I don’t think I shot well either of these first two matches… or all day for that matter. I more »
Posted On Tuesday, October 22nd, 2002 By David Veatch
Yesterday (which would be Saturday), I went to see the middle day of the Midwest 9-ball Tour, held this time at Shooters in Olathe, KS. I didn’t enter for two reasons… 1. the $50 entry fee, and 2. I expected the competition to be stiffer than I could handle. Given that, I was just going out there to observe, and hopefully pick up some tips. Lets just say I saw some amazing pool. David Matlock and Jimmy Wetch were the two best shooters I saw yesterday, with a younger fellow named Chad a close third. There was also a small group of 3 or 4 12-14 year olds who were far too good, and far too cocky for their age. It really made me think back on what *I* was doing at 14 years old… not the right things, apparently. Matlock, more than anyone, showed real mastery of the table. In the two or three dozen games I saw him play, I only saw two mistakes. At one point, he kicked at a ball, hit it, and then sent the cue ball off two other balls, another rail and into the corner pocket for a scratch. Could have happened to more »
Posted On Sunday, October 13th, 2002 By David Veatch
This was an interesting tournament. Given the recent tendency of some of us Lawrence folk to visit the tournaments at Terry’s in Topeka on Saturday nights, some of the Terry regulars have started showing up at our Sunday afternoon tournaments. They ain’t bad either. Additionally, my brother (Dennis) was in town this weekend from Portland, OR, and given his past interest in pool, I entered him. A new player, he came in at 3, while I continue to fluctuate between 3 and 5. Dennis and I spent about 45 minutes warming up before the matches started, and I was feeling pretty good about my game. This played out as I beat my first opponent, handicapped at 4 soundly and solidly 4 games to zero. Dennis, on the other hand, had less luck. His very first tournament ever, his very first experience with any sort of official handicap system, he draws Mike. Mike, you may recall, is on my 9-ball team, and could go pro if he dedicated himself. Needless to say, Dennis didn’t win, though he did give Mike a bit of a run. That match ended at 8-2. My second match didn’t go so well. I went up against more »
Posted On Sunday, October 6th, 2002 By David Veatch
My Handicap: 4 Matches: 4-0 (opponent rank: 4) W 1-7 (opponent rank: 7) L 3-3 (opponent rank: 3) L My Place: n/a My Winnings: n/a
Posted On Saturday, October 5th, 2002 By David Veatch
Every year, over near Sandstone… er, sorry, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater they hold the local KC Renaissance Faire. I’ll likely have more thoughts available to you on the whole issue of so many time-honored things being renamed after corporations, but for now, a few thoughts on the aforementioned Renaissance Fair. In the 12 years I’ve lived here, I’ve only missed one year going to the Fair. My first year, it was magic. As it was my second, and subsequent next few years. I remember distinctly the music of Maid in the Myddle and the wondrous sounds of the Hammered Dulcimer. I remember the fun of the jousting events, laughing at the jesters and "lepers" that populated the grounds. The angry executioners and the Royal Parade. I remember Sean O’Donnell and I prancing in, looking for the art, the crafts, and the music, while a friend (who’s name escapes me now) wanted only to find the swords, armor and blacksmiths. Now, I’m honestly more interested in the latter than the former, unless the former has some sort of utilitarian value, like the pewter mugs, or period dress. Something has changed however. I’m not sure if it’s me, the fair, or more likely more »