Jasmin Ouschan Suspended by the WPBA
I wanted to wait on commenting on this until it became official. Yes, Jasmin Ouschan has officially been suspended for two events as a result of ditching out on the Pacific Coast Classic to play in the 10 ball event. Now I know this isn’t going to be a popular viewpoint, but I’m impressed with the WPBA for girding their proverbial loins and taking action. The rules around getting a waiver are pretty clear in the WPBA handbook:
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Tournament Waivers Granted
Tournament waivers are granted for the following:
1. WPBA-recognized regional tour events (both domestic and international).
2. Non-competitive exhibitions, trick shot shows, or instructional efforts with one or more WPBA players.
3. Competitive exhibition matches involving up to four players in which each player receives only an appearance fee. No title or prize money is offered.
No event may be televised or taped for video distribution in whole or in part, other than for news media without the prior consent of the WPBA.
Tournament Waivers Requested
A tournament waiver must be requested for the following:
1. Any non-sanctioned or non-recognized event, in the U.S. or abroad, where you are engaging in professional competition.
2. Any competitive event televised, taped for video distribution, or for media (prize money or not).
3. Five or more players playing in a competitive exhibition event.
4. Any event within a hundred mile radius of a WPBA tour stop city within 15 days prior to or following a WPBA tour stop.
5. Any competitive event where the player can win $1,000.00 or more.
(Source, WPBA Player Handbook 3.06.08)
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Based on the rules outlined in the handbook, no one should be surprised that she didn’t get a waiver. Jasmin broke the rules and now she’s getting spanked. If you want to play in the WPBA, you play by their rules. Jasmin chose to skip an event to play in a conflicting tournament and these are the consequences. Letting her off the hook would open the door in the WPBA for anyone to skip a tournament whenever they wanted so to protect the integrity of the tournament they did what they had to do. The following is what Jasmin had to say about the suspension:
“Of course I am surprised about the decision and disappointed but I also have to understand the WPBA who wants to protect their tour. But I made my decision in time and announced it according to their rules. As a sportswoman I stand up to my decision that I chose to play in a World Championship, which was sanctioned by the World Pool Association (WPA) the only institution in our sport which has also the WPBA as a member. I think it was the right decision since a World Championship is one of the highest event in sport. That these two events were conflicting is not my fault but now I am the one who has to pay for it.“
Look, I like Jasmin. She’s a really sweet girl and a ratings juggernaut for the industry. I hate the fact that this is not good for the relationship between Jasmin Ouschan and the WPBA (who frankly really needs her in the same way the PGA needs Tiger Woods), but it had to be done. That being said, she is appealing, so don’t be surprised when the suspension gets reduced from 2 events down to 1. It will be a fair compromise and will allow the WPBA to save face.
Seems the WPBA is quick to hand out a suspension to Jazz but the “elbow” gets a bye -as for playing in “other” tournaments how many women on the WPBA would skip a WPBA tournament to play in a mens’ event – not one!! The WPBA hands out suspensions but it is always against the most talented players – Balukas – Ouschan –
Women pool players insist that there is no reason why women can’t compete against men at pool – now that the WPBA has one such woman what do they do – hand her a suspension for playing against men!! Nuff said.
WPBA’s suspension of Jasmin Ouschan for two events will definitely affect her bid to make it to the top spot. I believe that this penalty is quite HARSH and UNFAIR. It is the DREAM of every competitor to be the NUMBER ONE player in the world and the organization – WPBA, should be the PROPONENT in turning this dream to reality. This kind of penalty DOES NOT live up to that expectation. Maybe the WPBA could find OTHER WAYS to bring this about wothout curbing this dream.
In the first place, she did not compete in a NASCAR rally or a Golf Tournament with Tiger Woods, but with the WPA 10-ball Championship here in Manila. It REKINDLED the flame of enthusiasm among the young women players that Jeanette Lee started when she came here in 2004 and challenged Efren Reyes. Ms. Ouschan’s display of COURAGE and PASSION for the sport during the games were EVIDENT and it was CONTAGIOUS. ENTHUSIASM about the game has RISEN to fever pitch high. This is what pool is all about and it was exemplified through her.
Moreover, she single-handedly carried the noble task of PROMOTING the game that we all love on her shoulders. I am sure that pool afficionadoes in the Philippines share my sentiments and I TRUST that the WPBA would re-consider Ms. Ouschan’s case fairly and with a BIG heart this time around.
Part 2
The MISHANDLING of Ms. Ouschan’s case by the POOL VILLAINS in the WPBA calls for a MASS PROTEST by her FANS. By DENYING us – the MILLIONS of fan VIEWERS – the CHANCE to watch our HEROINE in the WPBA tournaments is reason enought to RETALIATE. I think these POOL VILLAINS need a dose of their own medicine.
I will start this CRUSADE here in the Philippines by NO LONGER WATCHING and PATRONIZING any televised, etc., WPBA events or causes and by SPREADING this sentiment to my fellow pool FANATICS until such time when Ms. Ouschan decides to play again in the WPBA.
I call on the MILLIONS of Jasmin Ouschan FANS and ADVOCATES OF JUSTICE to be part of this CRUSADE and JOIN the first “PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION*” in pool history.
So, comrades-n-arm, PREPARE your BREAK CUES and SHOVE them up these POOL VILLAINS’ fat behinds.
Mabuhay ka JASMIN!
*A moniker for a popular revolt in the Philippines in 1986.
I AGREE WITH THE FILIPNO GUY’S COMMENT. IN A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE THIS IS THE ANALOGY: CUSTOMERS (JASMIN FANS) WANT TO BUY A “BARBIE DOLL” (J. OUSCHAN) AND THE TRADER (WPBA)MAKES IT UNAVAILABLE FOR SOME REASONS. THIS IS A LOSE-LOSE SITUATION. CUSTOMERS WILL NOT SEE J. OUSCHAN AND WPBA LOSES VIEWRSHIP – NEGATIVELY AFFECTING THE SPONSORS AND PRODUCERS. WPBA SHOULD LOOK AT THE MONEY-SIDE OF THINGS FIRST BEFORE JUMPING HAPHAZARDLY INTO DECISIONS. THIS IS BUSINESS 101 COURSE FOR FREE.
[...] sayeth the WPBA. In a move that comes a surprise to absolutely no one (and one that I called back in November thankyouverymuch), the WPBA decided to cut Jasmin Ouschan’s suspension from [...]
In hind sight, it appears that the actual screw up was with management. It was the complete lack of communication between the WPBA, the WPA, and those who put together the 10-ball World Championship. The error was the long list of business suits in these organizations who didn’t even have the brains to realize that a conflict would take place between the 10-ball tournament, and the 9-ball tournament at Chinook Winds.
Ignorance or incompetence: Which is worse? If these people were good at what they get paid to do, this never would have been an issue.
Ms. Ouschan is good at HER job. Ms. Ouschan strives to do better, to test herself as illustrated by the fact that she chose to participate in the 10-ball tournament. In a manner of speaking, she did nothing wrong since the error of conflicting schedules was not her fault. She was simply doing her job. Playing pool.
In the end, it was the suits in management who screwed things up. Yet they are not the ones who get fined for their incompetence. It was Jasmine. How quintessential American.
WPBA You guys are a disgrace to the game of pool. Either money or your pride were challenged here and you made a huge error.
So, you guys scheduled the event which conflicted with another tournament and you guys are suspending her. Who should be looking for another job or suspended here. Shame on you!!!
Dave…you should know your facts before throwing stones. The WPA (World Pool Association) scheduled THEIR tournament at the same time as a WPBA event. They knew they did it…and they said they couldn’t help it.
Besides…this issue is over a year old…dead and buried. But you should still know what you’re talking about before you speak.