When I first asked Ford if I could write a player profile on him, I figured it was going to be an easy task to take on. He's been around the game for so long and knows so many people from around the world. He has a reputation for being fair and honest as a tournament director and he is loved and respected by most all of the players that I know... Then why have I come up against the wall and not been able to complete the profile when the interview was completed in August?
I have been thinking about that very question and understandably come to two conclusions: 1. I don't need to reinvent the wheel on this. Ford has been around so long and his profile has been done before. I wanted to put a new spin on things and wanted to make sure that my reflection of him was sincere and honest. He is who he is and I write how I write, so... 2. I am going to have his profile posted by January 1, 2011.
I will be back in the very short while with some good people fodder. Hope you all have a Happy Holiday season, I know I will.
WPBA San Diego Classic 2009, Photo by Anne Craig
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
On the Spot with Samm Diep
On the Spot Question: As your involvement in the sport has expanded, how have your expectations as a player evolved?
Samm Diep Answer: Thought provoking question... Let's see... As I've become more and more involved in the non-competing aspect of the sport, truthfully, the expectations of myself as a player have decreased significantly. The more I had been building my business as an instructor, and actively marketing myself as a "billiard personality" and doing more and more media coverage at events, the lower and lower my expectations became to perform well in tournaments.
Initially, it was quite frustrating and very difficult to manage. This was a huge learning experience for me. Often times, I would be competing at an event and also trying to cover it because I needed the financial help with my expenses. It's VERY difficult for me to not give 100% at whatever I'm doing so I think that was the toughest part. Ultimately, my game suffered and I'm sure my tournament reports could've been better too.
Nowadays, I just try not to take on as much and I've learned to balance things and manage my time a lot better. Fortunately for me, I'm not a drinker or a partier. I'm really quite boring, actually. I just go to the tournament, pull out my notebook between matches and do some writing, and go to dinner and back to my room at the end of the day. So, there are very few minutes wasted in a day.
I think I also learned to channel that "low expectation" feeling into "low pressure" for myself at tournaments. Instead of feeling overwhelmed about all the stuff I need to do, I just try to be as prepared as possible before I leave town and once I'm there, I can just enjoy every moment and remind myself that I'm a player first.
I also have a strict policy that I do not cover a tournament that I win. In the past, that has caused some inner-conflict, but these days I use it more as an incentive.
I'm also much faster now at throwing together tournament reports and having great support from my friends also helps.
A wise mentor of mine once told me that there would come a time when I would have to choose if I wanted to be Samm, the player, or Samm, the reporter (or whatever else I was working on). I feel pretty fortunate right now that I'm kind of skating by without having to make any big serious decisions like that yet, but I know I'm at that fork and just circling the roundabout. We'll just have to see what happens in the next couple years.
You can see Samm play on the Arizona Women's Billiard Tour (AWBT) where she has won two out of the last three events, or reporting at events all around the country, perhaps at the US Open in October. I would like to wish Samm all of the best in her very busy life, and to thank her for contributing to the sport so graciously.
Samm Diep Answer: Thought provoking question... Let's see... As I've become more and more involved in the non-competing aspect of the sport, truthfully, the expectations of myself as a player have decreased significantly. The more I had been building my business as an instructor, and actively marketing myself as a "billiard personality" and doing more and more media coverage at events, the lower and lower my expectations became to perform well in tournaments.
Initially, it was quite frustrating and very difficult to manage. This was a huge learning experience for me. Often times, I would be competing at an event and also trying to cover it because I needed the financial help with my expenses. It's VERY difficult for me to not give 100% at whatever I'm doing so I think that was the toughest part. Ultimately, my game suffered and I'm sure my tournament reports could've been better too.
Nowadays, I just try not to take on as much and I've learned to balance things and manage my time a lot better. Fortunately for me, I'm not a drinker or a partier. I'm really quite boring, actually. I just go to the tournament, pull out my notebook between matches and do some writing, and go to dinner and back to my room at the end of the day. So, there are very few minutes wasted in a day.
I think I also learned to channel that "low expectation" feeling into "low pressure" for myself at tournaments. Instead of feeling overwhelmed about all the stuff I need to do, I just try to be as prepared as possible before I leave town and once I'm there, I can just enjoy every moment and remind myself that I'm a player first.
I also have a strict policy that I do not cover a tournament that I win. In the past, that has caused some inner-conflict, but these days I use it more as an incentive.
I'm also much faster now at throwing together tournament reports and having great support from my friends also helps.
A wise mentor of mine once told me that there would come a time when I would have to choose if I wanted to be Samm, the player, or Samm, the reporter (or whatever else I was working on). I feel pretty fortunate right now that I'm kind of skating by without having to make any big serious decisions like that yet, but I know I'm at that fork and just circling the roundabout. We'll just have to see what happens in the next couple years.
You can see Samm play on the Arizona Women's Billiard Tour (AWBT) where she has won two out of the last three events, or reporting at events all around the country, perhaps at the US Open in October. I would like to wish Samm all of the best in her very busy life, and to thank her for contributing to the sport so graciously.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Round 4
My fourth player profile has been confirmed, I will be interviewing Miss Sarah Rousey... Yay, should be fun, now I need to get my third profile written.
Sarah is a WPBA touring professional pool player and has competed around the world. I am excited to get this opportunity, please check back.
Sarah is a WPBA touring professional pool player and has competed around the world. I am excited to get this opportunity, please check back.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
What's Your Excuse
I woke up this morning thinking about the last tournament and how I was going to improve my performance at this weekend's event. Looking back at my records, I had my worst finish in a couple of years and logically speaking there were lots of reasons I could come up with why I didn't play well. I had a 5 week old at home and this was my longest day away from her, I hadn't slept more than 3 hours straight in over a month, my body was expecting to nurse and I had to pump between matches, I hadn't been practicing as much and everyone else had, and so on and so forth... but when it comes down to it, there are generally very few reasons why I lose a match. Ultimately, as painful as it might sound, I didn't execute. While I was busy concentrating on everything that was preventing me from finishing (I lost two matches where I was up 5-2, 7-5) the other ladies were focusing on doing what they needed to do to advance.
Pool players are notorious for making excuses for less than perfect performances: why they miss a shot, how they lose a game, and often how they lose a match to someone that in their mind they should always beat. Well that's the problem, thinking about what should've, could've, or would've been if you had done something differently can be as self defeating as shooting without a tip or even with your eyes closed. For my next event, I will be recording common excuses that players have heard or used themselves for why something didn't stay the desired course, on the pool table naturally. A survey of sorts that will give me just the right reason for touching base with all the ladies on the tour. Sounds like a plan, I will report back with my findings.
While you are here, what is the best excuse you have heard or even used yourself for missing a shot?
Pool players are notorious for making excuses for less than perfect performances: why they miss a shot, how they lose a game, and often how they lose a match to someone that in their mind they should always beat. Well that's the problem, thinking about what should've, could've, or would've been if you had done something differently can be as self defeating as shooting without a tip or even with your eyes closed. For my next event, I will be recording common excuses that players have heard or used themselves for why something didn't stay the desired course, on the pool table naturally. A survey of sorts that will give me just the right reason for touching base with all the ladies on the tour. Sounds like a plan, I will report back with my findings.
While you are here, what is the best excuse you have heard or even used yourself for missing a shot?
Friday, July 23, 2010
On the Spot with Jana Montour
On the Spot Question: How do you prepare yourself for big tournaments?
Jana Montour Answer: By working on my focus and shooting drills. I work on my focus by clearing my mind as I am shooting. In matches or practice, when I start to lose my focus, I will attempt to count backwards from 100. Only one time have I reached 1. In fact that match I had such little focus that I was able to count back from 100 twice. I do shooting drills by selecting different shots to set up and shooting them over and over: spin shots, finesse, trouble shots, long shots, etc.
Jana Montour is from Hobbema, Alberta and will be representing the Northwest Women's Pool Association (NWPA) at the 2010 Women's US Open in Norman, Oklahoma. Jana qualified for the event by winning the Washington State Championships in March of 2010. She is currently the NWPA's point leader and she finished tied for 7th this year in the Women's Master Singles event at the BCA National 8 Ball Championships in Las Vegas. Your next opportunities to see her play will be at the Riverwind Casino for the WPBA's US Open on July 28-August 1.
Jana Montour Answer: By working on my focus and shooting drills. I work on my focus by clearing my mind as I am shooting. In matches or practice, when I start to lose my focus, I will attempt to count backwards from 100. Only one time have I reached 1. In fact that match I had such little focus that I was able to count back from 100 twice. I do shooting drills by selecting different shots to set up and shooting them over and over: spin shots, finesse, trouble shots, long shots, etc.
Jana Montour is from Hobbema, Alberta and will be representing the Northwest Women's Pool Association (NWPA) at the 2010 Women's US Open in Norman, Oklahoma. Jana qualified for the event by winning the Washington State Championships in March of 2010. She is currently the NWPA's point leader and she finished tied for 7th this year in the Women's Master Singles event at the BCA National 8 Ball Championships in Las Vegas. Your next opportunities to see her play will be at the Riverwind Casino for the WPBA's US Open on July 28-August 1.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Round 3
My third player profile has been confirmed... I will be interviewing Ford for my next profile segment. Ford has been a pool enthusiast for over 40 years as a player, a fan, and in recent years as a tournament director for the Northwest Women's Pool Association (NWPA) and Player's Club Limited. I am excited to share his story with his friends and fans.
I will be completing the primary interview this weekend and his profile should be available for your reading pleasure some time in August.
I will be completing the primary interview this weekend and his profile should be available for your reading pleasure some time in August.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Player Profile #2: Amanda Lampert
Amanda Lampert, aka "The Natural", was born in 1975 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. As the daughter to a military mom, she has lived in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Turkey, California, Spain, and Georgia (and then back in Texas.) Her mother remarried when she was very young to the man that she is honored to call Dad, who also served in the Air Force. Shifting cultural views and perpetual relocation obviously influenced the way that she communicates and relates to others. She is extremely outgoing and has a great sense of humor. Also, Amanda is one of six children, which has played a huge role in the way that she perceives the world.
According to Amanda, her parents have had the biggest influence on the person that she is today for very different reasons. When she was younger, her mother always pushed her to be more than she saw herself as, which can seem confusing as a young person trying to find her way. It takes a certain level of maturity to appreciate criticism from someone so close to your heart, but Amanda has taken it in stride and grown into an amazing woman, and now recognizes the ways that her mother has contributed to that. Her stepfather, who is her Dad, was an even larger influence. He has inspired Amanda through example. Not only does he give of himself to all those who surround him, he also taught her how to rise above your situation and be a good person no matter how difficult it may be. It seems that both father and daughter have come through some hard times to shine in the world that they live in. Amanda hopes to use her life lessons both on and off the pool table to teach aspiring competitors how to find success.
Amanda has been playing pool since the mid-nineties and won her first singles title in 2000 at the BCA National 8-ball Championships. She learned to play 8-ball in the week leading up to the event from a good friend, June Hager Walter. She has also won team titles at BCA Nationals in 2001, 2005, and just recently at the 2010 event. Aside from BCA participation, Amanda has also been a player on the Fast Eddies 9-ball Tour from 2003-2006 and the Hunter Classics Tour (now known as OB Cues Tour) from 2000-Present.
Amanda's performance on the Fast Eddie's Tour in 2004 resulted in what Amanda considers her first press accolade. InsidePool magazine nominated Amanda as the Inaugural Player of the Month. That year she won 5 out of 9 events, with her worst finish being a tie for 5th. Amanda would go on to claim the Houston Open title later that year, a title which she won twice in 2005 and then defended again in 2007. Amanda is also proud of winning singles titles at the Texas Open in 2006, 2008, and 2009. She has also performed at an exceedingly high level on the Hunter Classics/OB Cues Tour, winning multiple events in as many years.
In 2006, Amanda's performance on the Hunter Classics Tour resulted in her second invitation to the WPBA Regional Tour Championship in early 2007. Amanda went on to win that event and make her presence known on the pro tour, playing in 5 WPBA Classic Tour events and the BCA Generationpool.com event. Amanda's best finish on the pro tour was at the BCA event in a tie for 13-16th place; however, she did not end up with an overall ranking high enough to earn her tour card for 2008. A fond memory of her performance includes 3 fouling Vivian Villarreal to win the match.
According to Amanda, her inconsistent performance at the professional level stemmed from lack of confidence and experience. Like so many young players, she felt overwhelmed by the difference between the WPBA arena and that which she was used to, both on and off the table. She admits that playing in that world was intimidating and she had difficulty not focusing on who and where she was playing.
Over the last few years, Amanda's perspective on the sport and life in general has evolved. She has worked on improving her self-image and confidence, and has continued to develop a more positive approach to living her life, nurturing herself and her relationships with family and friends. Her main goal in life is to "Be Happy, with the life she is creating for herself, and to make others around her happy as well." If you are ever in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and you happen to run into a smiling and energetic pool sensation, be careful, her enthusiasm for the sport and for life might just rub off on you... right after she is done running out on you
Your next opportunity to see Amanda compete is on the OB Cues Tour, July 24-25th in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Magoo's Billiards. Check out Live Action either at the pool room or on the Live Streaming available on the OB Cues Tour website (http://www.obcuestour.com/)
For this profile, I posed a question to several of the pool players that know Amanda best: "In one word only, how would you describe Amanda?" and these were some of the responses- Exuberant, Passionate, Trustworthy, Whiplash, Sweetheart, Unselfish, Heart, Fun, Tenacious, Dedicated, and Energetic.
I would like to wish Amanda all of the best in her endeavors and thank her for taking the time to share her story with me and the rest of the world.
According to Amanda, her parents have had the biggest influence on the person that she is today for very different reasons. When she was younger, her mother always pushed her to be more than she saw herself as, which can seem confusing as a young person trying to find her way. It takes a certain level of maturity to appreciate criticism from someone so close to your heart, but Amanda has taken it in stride and grown into an amazing woman, and now recognizes the ways that her mother has contributed to that. Her stepfather, who is her Dad, was an even larger influence. He has inspired Amanda through example. Not only does he give of himself to all those who surround him, he also taught her how to rise above your situation and be a good person no matter how difficult it may be. It seems that both father and daughter have come through some hard times to shine in the world that they live in. Amanda hopes to use her life lessons both on and off the pool table to teach aspiring competitors how to find success.
Amanda has been playing pool since the mid-nineties and won her first singles title in 2000 at the BCA National 8-ball Championships. She learned to play 8-ball in the week leading up to the event from a good friend, June Hager Walter. She has also won team titles at BCA Nationals in 2001, 2005, and just recently at the 2010 event. Aside from BCA participation, Amanda has also been a player on the Fast Eddies 9-ball Tour from 2003-2006 and the Hunter Classics Tour (now known as OB Cues Tour) from 2000-Present.
Amanda's performance on the Fast Eddie's Tour in 2004 resulted in what Amanda considers her first press accolade. InsidePool magazine nominated Amanda as the Inaugural Player of the Month. That year she won 5 out of 9 events, with her worst finish being a tie for 5th. Amanda would go on to claim the Houston Open title later that year, a title which she won twice in 2005 and then defended again in 2007. Amanda is also proud of winning singles titles at the Texas Open in 2006, 2008, and 2009. She has also performed at an exceedingly high level on the Hunter Classics/OB Cues Tour, winning multiple events in as many years.
In 2006, Amanda's performance on the Hunter Classics Tour resulted in her second invitation to the WPBA Regional Tour Championship in early 2007. Amanda went on to win that event and make her presence known on the pro tour, playing in 5 WPBA Classic Tour events and the BCA Generationpool.com event. Amanda's best finish on the pro tour was at the BCA event in a tie for 13-16th place; however, she did not end up with an overall ranking high enough to earn her tour card for 2008. A fond memory of her performance includes 3 fouling Vivian Villarreal to win the match.
According to Amanda, her inconsistent performance at the professional level stemmed from lack of confidence and experience. Like so many young players, she felt overwhelmed by the difference between the WPBA arena and that which she was used to, both on and off the table. She admits that playing in that world was intimidating and she had difficulty not focusing on who and where she was playing.
Over the last few years, Amanda's perspective on the sport and life in general has evolved. She has worked on improving her self-image and confidence, and has continued to develop a more positive approach to living her life, nurturing herself and her relationships with family and friends. Her main goal in life is to "Be Happy, with the life she is creating for herself, and to make others around her happy as well." If you are ever in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and you happen to run into a smiling and energetic pool sensation, be careful, her enthusiasm for the sport and for life might just rub off on you... right after she is done running out on you
Your next opportunity to see Amanda compete is on the OB Cues Tour, July 24-25th in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Magoo's Billiards. Check out Live Action either at the pool room or on the Live Streaming available on the OB Cues Tour website (http://www.obcuestour.com/)
For this profile, I posed a question to several of the pool players that know Amanda best: "In one word only, how would you describe Amanda?" and these were some of the responses- Exuberant, Passionate, Trustworthy, Whiplash, Sweetheart, Unselfish, Heart, Fun, Tenacious, Dedicated, and Energetic.
I would like to wish Amanda all of the best in her endeavors and thank her for taking the time to share her story with me and the rest of the world.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Blog Content and Comments
I would like to take a moment to express my thanks to all people who have taken the time out of their busy lives to read my blog. That being said, I would like to make it clear that any person who would attempt to use this blog to make personal attacks on another is out of line. I am aware that people have their own issues with others, but this is not the avenue through which those should be addressed.
Thanks again for visiting...
Thanks again for visiting...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Round 2
My second player profile has been confirmed... I will be interviewing Amanda Lampert from Texas for my next profile segment. She has played on the WPBA off and on for the last several years, and is one of the dominant forces on the OB Cues Tour (formerly known as Hunter Classics Tour).
You can expect this profile to post in early April, so please come back and check it out =)
You can expect this profile to post in early April, so please come back and check it out =)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
On the Spot with Kimberly Kirk
On the Spot Question: What is your most memorable experience in either a pool room or at a tournament?
Kimberly Kirk Answer: 1995, somewhere in Texas at my second WPBA Amateur Nationals. I made it to the final and was playing that race to 11 against June Walters. I was down 8-2, and it wasn't the first time that I had to bear down, but I vividly remember thinking to myself, "No matter what I do, I'm not going to quit." I ended up winning that match 11-9 for my 2nd WPBA Amateur National Title.
Kimberly would go on to win a 3rd WPBA Amateur National Title in 1997. (2 other titles were won in 1993 and 1995.) Kimberly will be joining the Northwest Women's Pool Association (NWPA) this year, so look out for more stellar performances from this lady in the near future.
Kimberly Kirk Answer: 1995, somewhere in Texas at my second WPBA Amateur Nationals. I made it to the final and was playing that race to 11 against June Walters. I was down 8-2, and it wasn't the first time that I had to bear down, but I vividly remember thinking to myself, "No matter what I do, I'm not going to quit." I ended up winning that match 11-9 for my 2nd WPBA Amateur National Title.
Kimberly would go on to win a 3rd WPBA Amateur National Title in 1997. (2 other titles were won in 1993 and 1995.) Kimberly will be joining the Northwest Women's Pool Association (NWPA) this year, so look out for more stellar performances from this lady in the near future.
Player Profile #1: Eddie Mataya
Eddie Mataya, often referred to as Little Eddie, was born in 1977 and was raised in western Washington. Growing up in Auburn, Eddie's mother passed away at an early age. His biggest influence was his father "My Hero" and some of his fondest childhood memories include climbing mountains with his dad.
By the time Eddie was 18 he had started playing pool at The Java Shop in Auburn, WA. His first cue was a McDermott and was a birthday gift from his dad. Eddie's first exposure to billiards was playing 9-ball, however; according to him, he really didn't learn to play until he was 22. By that time, he had switched to playing at Harvey's in Renton, WA. He started playing leagues and local tournaments and has grown over the last 10 years into a formidable player.
In 2009, Eddie not only captured the Western Region BCA Men's Masters 9-ball Title, but he also started to learn the game of One Pocket. One Pocket is Eddie's favorite game (although he says 9-ball on the big tables is his strongest) because there are so many more things to think about. The learning curve is steep because you have to know the speed of both the cue and the object ball, which ultimately translates to all other pool games. Typically, Eddie likes to gamble 2-3 times a week in higher stake games, and occasionally has travelers come through to test their skills (and their pocket book depths.) Eddie often plays in local tournaments including both 8 and 9-ball events at Malarkey's Pool & Brew in Tacoma, WA or PJ Pockets in Federal Way, WA.
In the next year, Eddie really wants to "go for it." He plans on traveling to several of the larger open events including Galveston Open, Allen Hopkins Memorial, and Derby City Classic (early 2011.) He will continue to participate in the BCA League and will be included in the Grandmaster Feature Event at Western BCA Regionals in Lincoln City, OR next week (look for Live Streaming link on UStream or Western BCA websites.) He will also be playing in the Mixed Master Scotch Doubles and Men's Master Team events to complement his schedule. His scotch doubles partner is his partner in life, Miss Cindy Sliva.
Eddie told me that Cindy has been a huge part of his success, that she has not only introduced him to many great players, but also that her discipline, pace, and mind set in this sport have definitely influenced his performance. In addition to her unwavering support, she also takes a proactive role in managing Eddie's tournament scheduling, including traveling and accomodations, and really just making sure that Eddie is doing what needs to be done to ensure his success. He loves and admires her and is confident that with her in his corner that there are no limits for his possibilities.
I wish the best of luck to Eddie in all his endeavors and I look forward to watching him capture many more titles in the future. Thank you for taking the time to share a little bit of your story.
By the time Eddie was 18 he had started playing pool at The Java Shop in Auburn, WA. His first cue was a McDermott and was a birthday gift from his dad. Eddie's first exposure to billiards was playing 9-ball, however; according to him, he really didn't learn to play until he was 22. By that time, he had switched to playing at Harvey's in Renton, WA. He started playing leagues and local tournaments and has grown over the last 10 years into a formidable player.
In 2009, Eddie not only captured the Western Region BCA Men's Masters 9-ball Title, but he also started to learn the game of One Pocket. One Pocket is Eddie's favorite game (although he says 9-ball on the big tables is his strongest) because there are so many more things to think about. The learning curve is steep because you have to know the speed of both the cue and the object ball, which ultimately translates to all other pool games. Typically, Eddie likes to gamble 2-3 times a week in higher stake games, and occasionally has travelers come through to test their skills (and their pocket book depths.) Eddie often plays in local tournaments including both 8 and 9-ball events at Malarkey's Pool & Brew in Tacoma, WA or PJ Pockets in Federal Way, WA.
In the next year, Eddie really wants to "go for it." He plans on traveling to several of the larger open events including Galveston Open, Allen Hopkins Memorial, and Derby City Classic (early 2011.) He will continue to participate in the BCA League and will be included in the Grandmaster Feature Event at Western BCA Regionals in Lincoln City, OR next week (look for Live Streaming link on UStream or Western BCA websites.) He will also be playing in the Mixed Master Scotch Doubles and Men's Master Team events to complement his schedule. His scotch doubles partner is his partner in life, Miss Cindy Sliva.
Eddie told me that Cindy has been a huge part of his success, that she has not only introduced him to many great players, but also that her discipline, pace, and mind set in this sport have definitely influenced his performance. In addition to her unwavering support, she also takes a proactive role in managing Eddie's tournament scheduling, including traveling and accomodations, and really just making sure that Eddie is doing what needs to be done to ensure his success. He loves and admires her and is confident that with her in his corner that there are no limits for his possibilities.
I wish the best of luck to Eddie in all his endeavors and I look forward to watching him capture many more titles in the future. Thank you for taking the time to share a little bit of your story.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Reflections on 2010 WPBA Regional Tour Championships: How to Not Suffocate Yourself
I have been home for a couple of days now from the 2010 WPBA Regional Tour Championships, settled back into my routine, and have had the opportunity to synthesize my experience at the event and it is not pretty. I need to get the darkness out or I won't be able to get back to sleep tonight.
It's amazing how when I started planning for the event I was so pumped about getting the invitation. I took my first lesson in 2008, started shooting drills, and have continued to improve my fundamentals ever since. With that improvement has come increased expectations... and that is where the story has taken a turn.
When I saw my Group for the first time, I thought "Okay, I am fighting for the fourth spot." There were three players in my mind that had already advanced, and it was the other ladies that I would need to contend with to get through to Stage 2. This was my first mistake. It never should have mattered who was in my group, I never should have even made those role assignments, but I did and it would be my downfall in the long run.
My first match was against Tina Larsen, she had finished T5-6 at the 2009 RTC, and had played on the WPBA multiple times over the last decade. I knew I would need to play my best, and I was confident throughout the match. I ended up winning 6-2. I couldn't believe it, honestly, but it was a great start and I looked forward to my next match.
My next match was against Lara Rassignol, a player I had no expectations against. I didn't know who she was, but I was comfortable with my previous performace so didn't feel anxious about the match. Up 2-0, and shooting with great confidence, I made the 9 and scratched, and then scratched on the 9 in two consecutive games. I went on TILT, and was unable to recover. I ended up losing 6-2.
Veronique Menard was my next opponent, and extremely intimidated was the only was to describe my feelings. She was the 2009 WPBA Rookie of the Year, had an invite to the Amway Cup, and just seemed to be very comfortable with herself. I knew that I would need to play well to even have a shot at winnning some games. I was on shaky ground in my own mind, but fought through every rack, and ended up losing 6-5. This was something I could build on, or so I thought.
Lisa Marr was my fourth match of the event, and all I can say about it was "Brutal..." Lisa was shooting extremely well and made very few mistakes. I was unable to capitalize on the opportunities that I had and ended up losing 6-0 in heartbreaking fashion. With that score, I knew that my opportunities for advancing to Stage 2 were slimming exponentially. I had to turn things around or all my efforts would be for naught.
Ashea Erdahl was my last opponent of the evening, and she had not won a match yet, so I knew if I wanted a shot at Stage 2, I would absolutely have to win. I battled the darkness back, tried to stay relaxed (if that is possible with so much pressure put on yourself), and ended up winning 6-5. I felt okay about the win, but knew that I would be hard pressed with my scores to advance. I went home for the night, and tried not to think about the tournament or my play, or what I needed to do to get through to the next round... It didn't last very long.
I didn't sleep well that night, and dreamt about the performance required to carry me through. I had two matches to go and would need to win 12-6 to hit the 50% mark in my match win %. (Sometimes, I wish I had no background in statistics, and that I had no intuition for math.) It was a long night...
Julie Stephensen was my first match on Saturday morning, and I knew that she could play, but had never played her before. I knew what I needed to do and that is where the unraveling began. Down for the entire match, I found myself talking to myself, berating my performance, and questioning my skill before the score was even 4-2 my opponent. I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing and I was so worried about missing that I couldn't make a 2 ball out with ball in hand. I was destroyed mentally and was on the verge of an emotional break down. Not just because I was losing, but because I know better. In all of my preparation, I knew that positive self talk was the key to my success and here I was, cutting myself down so harshly that I couldn't make a straight in shot. The final score was 6-2, and with that went any aspiration of advancing. I had completely suffocated myself out of the opportunity, and I was devastated.
It was so disappointing to fight so hard for a year to not represent my tour or myself in a positive way. I really felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself. Fortunately, I would have some reprieve.
My last match was against Emily Duddy. I knew I had no chance of advancing, she knew she was already in, so really what did I have to lose? I tried to forget about all of the mistakes I had made and just play each ball as if it were the only shot that I needed to make. I was up 5-2 before I knew what happened. A little bit of luck and a lot better focus had gotten me to a better place mentally, and I started to feel good. Emily tyed up the match 5-5 before I would end up going for a 5-9 carom that slopped in the wrong pocket. Overall, I felt a little bit better about myself, and I was able to carry my head a little bit higher. Although I had gone through a myriad of emotions, highs and lows in my performance ability, I came out of it all with a renewed perspective and an eagerness to support those who would be advancing. My opportunity had passed and I was unable to perform when I needed to, I would need to get over it if I wanted to enjoy myself for the rest of the event, which I did... I got to watch some amazing matches, visit with some old and new friends, and come to terms with myself as a player and a person.
My Lesson Learned: I can't hold on too tight without suffocating myself. Figuring out a way to stay relaxed and focused throughout the event is essential to my success at this and any level. Once I can do that, everything will come together in the long run. After all, there is always next year =)
It's amazing how when I started planning for the event I was so pumped about getting the invitation. I took my first lesson in 2008, started shooting drills, and have continued to improve my fundamentals ever since. With that improvement has come increased expectations... and that is where the story has taken a turn.
When I saw my Group for the first time, I thought "Okay, I am fighting for the fourth spot." There were three players in my mind that had already advanced, and it was the other ladies that I would need to contend with to get through to Stage 2. This was my first mistake. It never should have mattered who was in my group, I never should have even made those role assignments, but I did and it would be my downfall in the long run.
My first match was against Tina Larsen, she had finished T5-6 at the 2009 RTC, and had played on the WPBA multiple times over the last decade. I knew I would need to play my best, and I was confident throughout the match. I ended up winning 6-2. I couldn't believe it, honestly, but it was a great start and I looked forward to my next match.
My next match was against Lara Rassignol, a player I had no expectations against. I didn't know who she was, but I was comfortable with my previous performace so didn't feel anxious about the match. Up 2-0, and shooting with great confidence, I made the 9 and scratched, and then scratched on the 9 in two consecutive games. I went on TILT, and was unable to recover. I ended up losing 6-2.
Veronique Menard was my next opponent, and extremely intimidated was the only was to describe my feelings. She was the 2009 WPBA Rookie of the Year, had an invite to the Amway Cup, and just seemed to be very comfortable with herself. I knew that I would need to play well to even have a shot at winnning some games. I was on shaky ground in my own mind, but fought through every rack, and ended up losing 6-5. This was something I could build on, or so I thought.
Lisa Marr was my fourth match of the event, and all I can say about it was "Brutal..." Lisa was shooting extremely well and made very few mistakes. I was unable to capitalize on the opportunities that I had and ended up losing 6-0 in heartbreaking fashion. With that score, I knew that my opportunities for advancing to Stage 2 were slimming exponentially. I had to turn things around or all my efforts would be for naught.
Ashea Erdahl was my last opponent of the evening, and she had not won a match yet, so I knew if I wanted a shot at Stage 2, I would absolutely have to win. I battled the darkness back, tried to stay relaxed (if that is possible with so much pressure put on yourself), and ended up winning 6-5. I felt okay about the win, but knew that I would be hard pressed with my scores to advance. I went home for the night, and tried not to think about the tournament or my play, or what I needed to do to get through to the next round... It didn't last very long.
I didn't sleep well that night, and dreamt about the performance required to carry me through. I had two matches to go and would need to win 12-6 to hit the 50% mark in my match win %. (Sometimes, I wish I had no background in statistics, and that I had no intuition for math.) It was a long night...
Julie Stephensen was my first match on Saturday morning, and I knew that she could play, but had never played her before. I knew what I needed to do and that is where the unraveling began. Down for the entire match, I found myself talking to myself, berating my performance, and questioning my skill before the score was even 4-2 my opponent. I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing and I was so worried about missing that I couldn't make a 2 ball out with ball in hand. I was destroyed mentally and was on the verge of an emotional break down. Not just because I was losing, but because I know better. In all of my preparation, I knew that positive self talk was the key to my success and here I was, cutting myself down so harshly that I couldn't make a straight in shot. The final score was 6-2, and with that went any aspiration of advancing. I had completely suffocated myself out of the opportunity, and I was devastated.
It was so disappointing to fight so hard for a year to not represent my tour or myself in a positive way. I really felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself. Fortunately, I would have some reprieve.
My last match was against Emily Duddy. I knew I had no chance of advancing, she knew she was already in, so really what did I have to lose? I tried to forget about all of the mistakes I had made and just play each ball as if it were the only shot that I needed to make. I was up 5-2 before I knew what happened. A little bit of luck and a lot better focus had gotten me to a better place mentally, and I started to feel good. Emily tyed up the match 5-5 before I would end up going for a 5-9 carom that slopped in the wrong pocket. Overall, I felt a little bit better about myself, and I was able to carry my head a little bit higher. Although I had gone through a myriad of emotions, highs and lows in my performance ability, I came out of it all with a renewed perspective and an eagerness to support those who would be advancing. My opportunity had passed and I was unable to perform when I needed to, I would need to get over it if I wanted to enjoy myself for the rest of the event, which I did... I got to watch some amazing matches, visit with some old and new friends, and come to terms with myself as a player and a person.
My Lesson Learned: I can't hold on too tight without suffocating myself. Figuring out a way to stay relaxed and focused throughout the event is essential to my success at this and any level. Once I can do that, everything will come together in the long run. After all, there is always next year =)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
On the Spot with Mary Rakin
On the Spot Question: What do you do to mentally prepare for a big event?
Mary Rakin Answer: "I listen to music and relax before every event I attend to. Nothing better than a clear mind with your favorite music!"
(Post 2010 WPBA RTC event at Hardtimes Billiards in Bellflower, CA where Mary finished 2nd in a field of 63 women, earning her Q card to play on the WPBA's Classic Tour for 2010.)
Mary Rakin Answer: "I listen to music and relax before every event I attend to. Nothing better than a clear mind with your favorite music!"
(Post 2010 WPBA RTC event at Hardtimes Billiards in Bellflower, CA where Mary finished 2nd in a field of 63 women, earning her Q card to play on the WPBA's Classic Tour for 2010.)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Round 1
I will be posting my first player profile on Eddie Mataya. He is a local player in the Great Northwest and has already agreed to the interview. Please come back and check it out.
More to come...
More to come...
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