Pool Cue News and Review

So its been a busy couple of weeks for the always lovely Liz Ford. First, she shoots an episode of Time Warp for the Discovery Channel, then she gets another sponsorship to add to her collection. That makes a total of six companies that are giving Liz cash and prizes to play pool if I’m not mistaken. Yesterday, Liz announced that Dr. Gary C. Borge DDS is throwing her some lettuce. Yeah, I’m sure people are going to say “A Dentist? What up with that?” but if they do, they’re looking at it all wrong. You don’t have to be in the industry for a sponsorship to work. After all, what the hell does Wonder Bread have to do with NASCAR?

I’d say I don’t know how she does it, but I sort of do. Liz gets it. She’s exceptionally clear with her potential sponsors of what they get for their money. Plus, she offers multiple packages ranging from a couple hundred bucks to a couple grand. Now terms weren’t disclosed, but within a day the good doctor is already getting some action from this deal in the form of PR. AZ Billiards and Inside Pool picked it up, the WPBA pimped it and I’m sure if she said pretty please to Mason King and Shari Stauch, she’d get the story picked up by Billiards Digest and Pool & Billiards too (see Mason, I’ll pimp your mag even if you won’t share your RSS feed with me). Most importantly though, she got the story in the PCN blog… who am I kidding, I’d write a story on Liz if it was about nose blowing.

In all seriousness, one of the toughest things for a company looking to sponsor is trying to actually figure out what they’ll get for their money. The whole sponsorship thing is so well, abstract, that it seems that most companies won’t do it because they either don’t know what they’re going to get or they don’t know how to leverage the partnership. Even if what Liz offers isn’t what a sponsor is looking for, I’m guessing she’d be willing to negotiate and her menu gives potential sponsors a place to start. And with that, I leave you with some glorious eye candy (sorry for swiping the picture Liz, but you and Sarah Rousey tussling?  You knew I had to snag that one! Holler if you need me to take it down)…

As most of you know, there was an incident at the Great Lakes Classic where Sarah Ellerby “allegedly” threw an elbow at Jennifer Chen during a break.  Since then, we’ve been waiting for the WPBA to at the very least release a statement about this incident.  Most were expecting a suspension from the US Open, but we all know that didn’t happen.

In fairness, I decided to send an inquiry to the WPBA about this incident.  My email was happily ignored (not a surprise), leaving me to my own speculations and opinions which is never a good thing…

At any rate, word has it that the internal response to this incident was to… wait for it… hand out the WPBA Code of Conduct to all its members.  When the WPBA drops the hammer, they really drop the hammer.  Damn WPBA, that’s hardcore.  Anyway, someone was nice enough to leak the Code of Conduct, which then got leaked to the AZ Billiards forum, which I then grabbed to be enshrined here.  For anyone interested, here it is (allegedly):

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WPBA Code of Conduct

Complaints
All questions or complaints must be directed privately, in writing, to the tournament director or to a WPBA board member. Any public criticism or complaints are not permitted and the person responsible will be fined ($100.00 up to $5000.00)

Code of Conduct
Players are under scrutiny at all times as a professional and, as such, must avoid behavior that would discredit their fellow professionals, the WPBA, or the sport of billiards.

All players will be responsible for following all rules and regulations as set forth by the WPBA by-laws, the policy handbook, and any other regulations mandated by the on-site tournament officials and hosts.

Members of the WPBA must not make or cause to be made any statements (whether verbal or in writing), or take or cause others to take action which may, in the opinion of the wpba board, bring that member, the wpba or its agents, or the sport of billiards into disrepute.

The wpba may take action against any player member convicted of a felony and restrict their participation in the wpba events.

Player members shall not address criticism of fellow players, tournament personnel, equipment, or facilities to fellow members, the press, or any others. All such complaints should be submitted in writing to the tournament director or to a wpba board member.

Tournament officials may penalize any player abusing rules or regulations of the tournament or code of conduct at their discretion, including calling fouls, awarding games to an opponent, or forfeiting the offending players match.

Code of conduct violations inside the arena- unsportsmanlike conduct, intentional sharking, abusive or profane language, public abuse of equipment-physical or verbal, drinking during a match, rudeness to officials/players/spectators/sponsors, etc.

1. Written warning (verbal inside the arena with a write-up to go in the file)
2. Fine (minimum $100) + possible penalty TBD by tournament official (fouls, loss of game, loss of match.)
3. Fine and suspension

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I just think its funny that an (allegedly) official document uses the term “sharking”.

The new rankings are out and there was quite a shakeup. As mentioned earlier, Kelly Fisher is now #1 with Karen The Librarian a close #2. Here’s how the Top 20 break down:

Rank			Name	Points	Sponsored By/Endorsers
	1		Kelly Fisher	17375	Kwikfire,Charlotte Metro APA
	2		Karen Corr	15625
	3		Ga Young Kim	14875	Westwood Billiards
	3		Xiaoting Pan	14875
	5		Sarah Ellerby	13875	Farouk Systems
	6		Allison Fisher	13400	Cuetec Cues
	7		Anna Kostanian	13000
	8		Vivian Villarreal	12375	Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida
	9		Gerda Hofstatter	12250	Predator Cues, Kwikfire
	10		Monica Webb	11875	Mr. T/DNS International
	10		Helena Thornfeldt	11875	Mr. T/DNS International
	12		Jeanette Lee	11350	Liquid Wick
	13		Dawn Hopkins	11125	Viking Cues
	14		Jasmin Ouschan	10375
	15		Julie Kelly	9125	CFR Capital Finance Recruiters
	16		Iris Ranola	8875
	17		Kim Shaw	8225	Kwikfire
	18		Tiffany Nelson	7750	Kwikfire
	18		Caroline Pao	7750
	18		Yu Ram Cha	7750

Well, there’s a new sheriff in town.  Kelly Fisher just finished taking down Iris Ranola in a 7-1 beatdown to take the US Open title and the #1 ranking.  After her 2 and out performance, Allison will drop all the way down to #6.  Karen Corr, Ga Young Kim, Xiao Ting Pan and Sarah Ellerby round out the Top 5.

Here’s the way it went down, courtesy of the WPBA:

August 3, 2008: Riverwind Casino, Norman Oklahoma

The new #1 ranked WPBA player, Kelly Fisher, faces off with newcomer Iris Ranola in the finals of the 2008 WPBA US Open 9 Ball Championships. Iris is no stranger to championships, having won the Philippine’s Women 9 Ball Championships.

Kelly won the lag and broke, making 2 balls and having an open shot on the 2 in the opening game. She confidently strode around the table, sinking each ball until the 6, where she left herself awkwardly and attempted a safety that failed miserably leaving Iris an open shot, although not an easy one. Iris made the ball and had a tough long cut on the 7 to come around for the 9, which to her dismay rattled in the pocket. Kelly quickly made her way to the table and finished off the 7/9 to take game 1.

Iris broke but didn’t make a ball, and a safety battle began on both the 1 and the 2 ball. Kelly finally had an open shot but it was a long straight in ball that she missed, leaving Iris a side pocket cut that went in. Iris then sank a 3/8 combination but didn’t get rewarded for a good shot and the 3 rolled up behind the 9. Iris took her extension for the game and tried to thin cut the 3 into the side (she could see just a small bit of it) but just barely missed, leaving Kelly another open shot to begin running out. Kelly made a great stroke shot to get from the 5 to the 7 and finished off the 9 to take game 2.

The break alternated back to Kelly and she made a ball with the 1 wide open to start game 3. The 5/7 was tied up as Kelly looked to break them up off the 4, and showing that she’s in her zone, executed the shot perfectly with position on the 5. As Iris calmly looked on, Kelly continued her run out, and just like that the score was 3-0.

Iris broke solidly, making the 3 ball. The tricky shot was from the 1 to the 2, as the 2 was sitting below the 6/8/9. She nicked the 8 ball in the way of the 2, leaving a combination shot that she successfully pocketed. Staying calm, she made a beautifully delicate cut shot on the 4 to get back in line for the 5 ball. Her nerves may have gotten the better of her though as she missed the 5, overcutting it and sending it down table.

Kelly uncharacteristically also missed, but left the 5 sitting in front of the 7, blocking the way to the corner pocket. Iris had already used her extension in this game and was forced to hurry up and shoot a haphazard combination, missing it and leaving the 5 wide open. Kelly would not miss twice in the same rack and ran out to take a 4-0 lead.

Iris showed no emotion as she watched Kelly break and make the 7 ball. The key shots would be the 1 to the 2 to the 3. She chose to leave herself longer shots instead of forcing the position play, carefully pocketing each ball but slowly bringing her cue back in line. The toughest shot would prove to be the 5 to the 6 as she ended up perfectly straight on the 5. Without batting an eyelash she drew the cue ball back for the 6 in the side, then the 8 & 9 to go up 5-0.

With the break and desperately wanting to get on the board, Iris stepped up and made the 7 ball and steadfastly began running her rack. This would be a test of her inner strength as anyone who has been down 5 games to none can attest, it’s not easy to keep one’s focus without getting down on oneself. But calm she remained and answered Kelly’s break and run with one of her own to finally get on the board 1-5.

Kelly, needing only 2 games for the Championships, made the 3 ball on her break but needed to play a safety on the 1. Sidling the cue ball up onto the 2, Kelly sat down and watched as Iris did hit the ball, leaving no shot for Kelly and we were into another safety battle. After Iris flinched first, Kelly got ball in hand to start navigating position for each ball and with an eye towards the final prize, reached the hill 6-1. The crowd could sense the inevitability of the outcome, although one can never count out a tough competitor such as Iris.

Iris broke, made nothing, and Kelly ended up scratching on the 2 ball, giving Iris ball in hand. After making the 2 ball, Iris missed the 3, and Kelly stepped up looking to make 4 balls for the championships. She confidently made them and took the Title and the #1 spot.

Congratulations to Iris Ranola for a fantastic runner-up finish, and to Kelly Fisher for taking the 2008 WPBA US Open 9 Ball Championships.

(Play by play credited to the WPBA)

The semifinals are set and they don’t include Karen Corr.  Here’s how the quarterfinal matches went down according to the WPBA.

Quarterfinal’s #1

Sarah Ellerby: 2 -  Iris Ranola: 7
Both players break and run their first games
Iris snaps in the 9 ball game 3
Sarah missed the 5 ball Iris runs out
Safety battle in game 5 but Sarah scratches on the 3 ball - Iris runs out
Another safety battle on the 4 ball in game 6, Sarah’s advantage and runs out to get within 2 games.
Iris breaks and runs game 7.
Sarah misses the 3 ball and Iris makes a tough run out to reach the hill!
Sarah Ellerby pops the cue ball off the table shooting the 7, giving Iris ball in hand.  Iris wins the match

Quarterfinals #2

Karen Corr: 5  -  Yu Ram Cha: 7
Yu Ram wins game 1 after Karen misses long bank on the 8
Yu Ram runs rack off of Karen’s break
Karen misses the 9 after getting out of line
Yu Ram misses the 5, Karen runs out
Karen wins another game
Monster safety battle Yu Ram comes out ahead
Karen fails on her safety attempt Yu Ram runs out
Yu Ram’s cue ball flys off table off break, Karen runs out
Safety battle with Yu Ram getting the advantage goes to hill
Chess game & battle of wills in game 11 Yu Ram blinks first, Karen runs out
Karen pushes out after break, Yu Ram gives back option, Karen plays poor safe, Yu Ram cuts 1 ball in side pocket and plays shape for 2/9 combination.  Makes it and wins to move on into the Semi’s #2!

Quarterfinals #3

Jeanette Lee: 7  -   Pam Cimarelli: 4
Jeanette broke, ran and missed the 8
Safety by Jeanette gave her the advantage & the run out
Safeties galore! Jeanette missed 6 ball and Pam ran out
Pam makes 5/9 combo to win game 4
Jeanette & Pam both miss the 9 but Pam finally sinks it
Pam misses the 5 ball Jeanette runs out
Jeanette makes a tough run out to pull w/in one
Jeanette makes the 9 off the 5 accidentally & ties the match
Pam takes a flyer at a 4 cross bank but leaves Jeanette with a 4/9 combo
Pam & Jeanette wrangle with the 2 ball but Jeanette reaches the hill
Safety battle on the 2 in the next game, Pam makes an amazing 2 rail kick, pockets ball but scratches giving Jeanette ball in hand and and the winning game of the match.

Quarterfinal’s #4

Vivian Villarreal: 6  -   Kelly Fisher:7
After a jump shot by Vivian, Kelly ran out
Vivian got out of line on the 5, missed the ball Kelly ran out
Kelly missed 8 ball cut, Vivian gets one game back
Kelly makes a 3/9 combo
Kelly missed the 2 ball & Vivian runs out
Vivian hooks herself, leaves a duck and Kelly runs out
Kelly fails to break the 5 ball out and leaves Vivian a runout
Vivian scratches after a short rail bank attempt on the 8, Kelly makes the 8/9.
Vivian ties the match 5 all after gaining ball in hand
Kelly misses the 9 ball, Vivian reaches hill first.
Vivian misses the 4 ball, Kelly runs out
After a monster safety battle, Vivian misses a straight in 8 ball and Kelly Fisher advances into the Semifinals

So, that gives us semifinal matchups o:

Iris Ranola vs. Yu Ram Cha

and

Jeanette Lee vs. Kelly Fisher

Check back this evening for highlights and results.