Chris in NC
04-28-2004, 04:02 PM
We've greatly enjoyed watching these re-runs at the poolroom this week. These players could still play amazingly well, though I'm sure nothing like they used to. I couldn't help but notice a number of observations I wonder if others picked up on.
First, the pockets on the Gold Crown with the new cloth were obviously playing fairly generous, though occasionally some balls were jawed. Just curious as I don't think they'd come up with Simonis 860 back in 1981, I wonder if it was Mali or what, but it seemed quite slick.
I couldn't help but notice the rule changes since then - for the better I might add. On one break Mosconi made nothing but totally snookered Babe where he had no chance to hit the 1-ball. Instead of having a push-out option, Babe was forced to try an unsuccessful nearly impossible kick, which gave Willie ball-in-hand. Had Willie made a ball on that break, Babe would have had the ball-in-hand. Obviously the push-out rule either had not been invented or was not used for that event. Also, in another match a player scratched while making a ball on the break. The ball was spotted behind another ball near the spot, which left the shooter with ball-in-hand behind the line with very little chance at a shot and even a tough safe. One should never have to come to the table with ball-in-hand and not have a shot - which I'm sure is why they decided to change the rule.
Most of the players seemed to have much shorter bridges than todays top players, and for the most part they played extremely fast. Mosconi appeared to hold his right hand choked well up on the butt of the cue - clearly forward of the perpendicular forearm position when the cue-tip was right behind the cue ball.
The trick shots were entertaining, but one had the impression due to poor planning that the players had little preparation time for these shots - and that they were just for filling time in the 1 hour taping once the matches were over. Many of the players played the same trick shots over and over on different tapes and were clearly not prepared for having to show off a repetoire of trick shots. Still all in all, a great idea of ESPN to re-air these matches. - Chris in NC
First, the pockets on the Gold Crown with the new cloth were obviously playing fairly generous, though occasionally some balls were jawed. Just curious as I don't think they'd come up with Simonis 860 back in 1981, I wonder if it was Mali or what, but it seemed quite slick.
I couldn't help but notice the rule changes since then - for the better I might add. On one break Mosconi made nothing but totally snookered Babe where he had no chance to hit the 1-ball. Instead of having a push-out option, Babe was forced to try an unsuccessful nearly impossible kick, which gave Willie ball-in-hand. Had Willie made a ball on that break, Babe would have had the ball-in-hand. Obviously the push-out rule either had not been invented or was not used for that event. Also, in another match a player scratched while making a ball on the break. The ball was spotted behind another ball near the spot, which left the shooter with ball-in-hand behind the line with very little chance at a shot and even a tough safe. One should never have to come to the table with ball-in-hand and not have a shot - which I'm sure is why they decided to change the rule.
Most of the players seemed to have much shorter bridges than todays top players, and for the most part they played extremely fast. Mosconi appeared to hold his right hand choked well up on the butt of the cue - clearly forward of the perpendicular forearm position when the cue-tip was right behind the cue ball.
The trick shots were entertaining, but one had the impression due to poor planning that the players had little preparation time for these shots - and that they were just for filling time in the 1 hour taping once the matches were over. Many of the players played the same trick shots over and over on different tapes and were clearly not prepared for having to show off a repetoire of trick shots. Still all in all, a great idea of ESPN to re-air these matches. - Chris in NC