Hatch Back on Top of Joss Billiards Event

Hatch Back on Top of Joss Tour
Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour / Amsterdam, NY

by Lea Andrews

Recent Mosconi Cup MVP Dennis Hatch may have briefly fallen from grace at the last Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour stop, but at the February 20-21 stop, he proved the fall was only temporary. Hatch topped the field of 44 that gathered for the $2,000-added event, which was held at Main St. Billiards in Amsterdam, NY.

Hatch edged out last stop’s winner Chris Orme 9-8 to reach the hot seat match against Dan Heidrich, who’d come out on top of his own hill-hill match against Kevin Guimond. Hatch took control of the set 9-6 to claim the hot seat and push Heidrich into the semifinals.

On the left side of the bracket, tournament director Mike Zuglan, who’d earlier taken a 9-7 loss to Hatch, had been blazing his way through the field. A 9-2 blowout over Tom Acciavatti put him up against Paul Dryden, who’d breezed past Jared Zimmerman 9-2. After taking care of Dryden 9-5, Zuglan moved on to Guimond. Meanwhile, Dave Grau eked out a win over Mike Dechaine 9-8 to face Dave Fernandez, who’d held Paul Rozonewski to five games. Fernandez managed just four against Grau, though, and landed in seventh while Grau moved on to Orme, who had his eyes on another stint in the finals. A 9-6 victory over Grau pushed Orme into the quarterfinals against Zuglan, who’d eased past Guimond 9-3. Both Zuglan and Orme were looking for the rematch with Hatch, and though Zuglan fought hard for it, it was Orme who got himself one step closer 9-6, and another 9-6 win over Heidrich in the semifinals put him there.

It seemed like a second set wouldn’t be needed in the true double-elimination final match as Hatch got out to a comfortable 7-3 lead, but Orme stormed back into the match, keeping the string to himself and pushing the second set 9-7. The two powerhouses stayed even at first, tying up at four games apiece, but once Hatch managed to pull away a little bit, he stayed there, earning his fourth Joss win this season 9-7.

Results:
1st Dennis Hatch $1,500
2nd Chris Orme $1,000
3rd Dan Heidrich $760
4th Mike Zuglan $560
5th Kevin Guimond $400
Dave Grau
7th Paul Dryden $250
Dave Fernandez
9th Tom Acciavatti $100
Jared Zimmerman
Paul Rozonewski
Mike Dechaine

American Grand Masters Heads to the Heartland

Team CSI – American Grand Masters Heads to the Heartland

CueSports International (CSI), in partnership with promoter Mark Cantrill, would like to announce that Team CSI – American Grand Masters is heading to the U.S. Midwest for the first leg of the Team CSI Tour.

The team is comprised of: BCA Hall of Fame inductee and 5 time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Earl “The Pearl” Strickland, 2009 Texas Open winner Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant, 2006 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion and 2009 Derby City Classic One Pocket winner John “Mr. 400” Schmidt, and 2001 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Corey Deuel who has also served on the U.S. Mosconi Cup Team 6 times.

Each of the four members of Team CSI still actively compete in both U.S. and international events, thus two members of the team travel together for each leg of the tour. The Midwest Tour, which is scheduled January 8-17, will feature Earl Strickland and John Schmidt.

“I have always enjoyed teaching and passing on knowledge in person. I also enjoy meeting new people and so this is going to be a great experience and can’t wait.” said John Schmidt.

Strickland and Schmidt will perform a series of exciting exhibitions and hold pool schools throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska and Iowa. The pool school is 4 hours in length with a maximum of 12 students per school. Each student will have an opportunity for individual instruction with both Strickland and Schmidt addressing the student’s personal needs to progress in their respective games. The total cost to attend the pool school is $200 per student.

The Midwest Tour schedule dates and locations are:

• Friday, January 8th Open to Public Exhibition: 7:30 pm, The Rack, Livonia, MI

• Saturday, January 9th Pool School: 11 am – 4 pm, The Rack, Livonia, MI

• Saturday, January 9th Exhibition: The University of Michigan Student Union, Ann Arbor, MI

• Sunday, January 10th Pool School: 1 pm – 5 pm, Big Shot Billiards, Muncie, IN

• Sunday, January 10th Open to Public Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Big Shot Billiards, Muncie, IN

• Tuesday, January 12th Private Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Springfield, IL

• Wednesday, January 13th Private Pool School: 4 pm – 8 pm, Springfield, IL

• Thursday, January 14th Pool School: 4 pm – 8 pm, Big Dog’s Billiards, Des Moines, IA

• Friday, January 15th Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Big Dog’s Billiards, Des Moines, IA

• Saturday, January 16th Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Heidelberg’s, Lincoln, NE

• Sunday, January 17th Pool School: 11 am – 3 pm, Heidelberg’s, Lincoln, NE

Strickland started working with Cantrill in 2008 with the Legends and Champions Tour. With Cantrill’s partnership with CSI, as Team CSI – American Grand Master’s will be able to expand the team and offer more opportunity to bring these accomplished professionals to area pool communities to broaden the sport and help expand the skills of local pool enthusiasts.

“I am really excited that we are heading to the Midwest, the people are always welcoming and friendly whenever I have been there,” said Strickland.

For information about Team CSI visit the CSI website at www.playcsipool.com. For more information about the tour, to schedule an exhibition or pool school in your area, and to register to attend a pool school contact Mark Cantrill at (480) 612-7732 or email him at markc@playcsipool.com

In addition to CSI, Team CSI – American Grand Masters 2010 Midwest Tour is sponsored by, Mueller Recreational Products, Cornhuskers Billiards, Sterling Gaming, and Nielsen’s Billiards.

CueSports International (CSI) is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League, the National Championship Series (NCS), and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the U.S. Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.

American Grand Masters Heads to the Heartland

Team CSI – American Grand Masters Heads to the Heartland

CueSports International (CSI), in partnership with promoter Mark Cantrill, would like to announce that Team CSI – American Grand Masters is heading to the U.S. Midwest for the first leg of the Team CSI Tour.

The team is comprised of: BCA Hall of Fame inductee and 5 time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Earl “The Pearl” Strickland, 2009 Texas Open winner Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant, 2006 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion and 2009 Derby City Classic One Pocket winner John “Mr. 400” Schmidt, and 2001 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Corey Deuel who has also served on the U.S. Mosconi Cup Team 6 times.

Each of the four members of Team CSI still actively compete in both U.S. and international events, thus two members of the team travel together for each leg of the tour. The Midwest Tour, which is scheduled January 8-17, will feature Earl Strickland and John Schmidt.

“I have always enjoyed teaching and passing on knowledge in person. I also enjoy meeting new people and so this is going to be a great experience and can’t wait.” said John Schmidt.

Strickland and Schmidt will perform a series of exciting exhibitions and hold pool schools throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska and Iowa. The pool school is 4 hours in length with a maximum of 12 students per school. Each student will have an opportunity for individual instruction with both Strickland and Schmidt addressing the student’s personal needs to progress in their respective games. The total cost to attend the pool school is $200 per student.

The Midwest Tour schedule dates and locations are:

• Friday, January 8th Open to Public Exhibition: 7:30 pm, The Rack, Livonia, MI

• Saturday, January 9th Pool School: 11 am – 4 pm, The Rack, Livonia, MI

• Saturday, January 9th Exhibition: The University of Michigan Student Union, Ann Arbor, MI

• Sunday, January 10th Pool School: 1 pm – 5 pm, Big Shot Billiards, Muncie, IN

• Sunday, January 10th Open to Public Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Big Shot Billiards, Muncie, IN

• Tuesday, January 12th Private Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Springfield, IL

• Wednesday, January 13th Private Pool School: 4 pm – 8 pm, Springfield, IL

• Thursday, January 14th Pool School: 4 pm – 8 pm, Big Dog’s Billiards, Des Moines, IA

• Friday, January 15th Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Big Dog’s Billiards, Des Moines, IA

• Saturday, January 16th Exhibition: 7:30 pm, Heidelberg’s, Lincoln, NE

• Sunday, January 17th Pool School: 11 am – 3 pm, Heidelberg’s, Lincoln, NE

Strickland started working with Cantrill in 2008 with the Legends and Champions Tour. With Cantrill’s partnership with CSI, as Team CSI – American Grand Master’s will be able to expand the team and offer more opportunity to bring these accomplished professionals to area pool communities to broaden the sport and help expand the skills of local pool enthusiasts.

“I am really excited that we are heading to the Midwest, the people are always welcoming and friendly whenever I have been there,” said Strickland.

For information about Team CSI visit the CSI website at www.playcsipool.com. For more information about the tour, to schedule an exhibition or pool school in your area, and to register to attend a pool school contact Mark Cantrill at (480) 612-7732 or email him at markc@playcsipool.com

In addition to CSI, Team CSI – American Grand Masters 2010 Midwest Tour is sponsored by, Mueller Recreational Products, Cornhuskers Billiards, Sterling Gaming, and Nielsen’s Billiards.

CueSports International (CSI) is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League, the National Championship Series (NCS), and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the U.S. Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.

Europe Billiards Team Retains Mosconi Cup

Europe Billiards Team Retains Mosconi Cup

Feijen / Souquet 5 – 2 Morris / Jones

Mika Immonen 5 – 3 Shane Van Boening

Team Europe retained the PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup by the second widest margin in the history of the competition.

They trounced their American counterparts at the Hilton Hotel, Portomaso by an 11- 5 score line with Most Valuable Player Mika Immonen potting the final 9 ball.

It was a sweet moment for the 35 year-old as he had the same opportunity to bring the trophy home in Rotterdam two years ago but messed up with the finish line in sight.

This time he made no mistakes as he took to the table following a lacklustre safety escape from Shane Van Boening and ran through the table for a 5-3 win.

‘It seems I’m burying a few ghosts. I won the US Open where I had a tragic final in 2001, then I won the Japan Open where I had lost in the final four times in ten years and won that,’ said Immonen.

‘Then, my final and biggest goal was to win the Mosconi Cup. Finally it has happened and I can’t believe it. I’m really overwhelmed.

‘The heart was pumping as much as earlier in the day when I was running on the treadmill at nine miles per hour to keep my conditioning.’

In the end it was a comfortable four days for Team Europe as their ebullient skipper Alex Lely made all the right moves, leading a team made up of players in some of the richest form of their lives.

“I played myself in 1995 and 2005 and we got spanked. We have got spanked quite often in this event. But I was made captain this year and I was very proud to be captain,’ said Lely.

‘I knew my team were already champions and they had my respect, we all had each other’s respect. We played with so much pride, discipline and focus on the task.

‘They’re a machine, all I had to do was push the button, make the sandwiches and rack the balls.’

The Americans, on the other hand, struggled to master the break shot and had their backs to the wall as they trailed throughout the competition. In fact they didn’t win a single session.

Lead by skipper Nick Varner, they never gained sufficient momentum to mount a serious challenge.

‘We didn’t get the result we wanted but I would like to thank my team. You guys are champions and it has been my pleasure being your team captain, thanks for turning up,’ said Varner.

‘The score line was reversed to what I wanted to see but I have to congratulate Team Europe – they played great,’ he added.

All of the European team played their part with the pairing of Niels Feijen and Ralf Souquet particularly potent throughout as they won four out of four matches to really set their side on their way.

Following his heroics last year, local boy Tony Drago surprisingly did not produce a point but to be part of the winning team on his home island was adequate compensation.

‘First of all a few weeks ago I lost a dear friend in Paul Medati so this goes to him. Secondly I tried to play my best. I played a great match against Strickland but he beat me 5-4 and Shane did the same,’ said an emotional Drago.

‘The Americans are great players. We don’t see eye-to-eye because that’s what it means. I always wanted to lift the trophy in front of my mother and now I have.’

After 15 runnings of the Mosconi Cup the score now stands at ten to the Americans, four to Europe and one drawn result.

The event moves back to the MGM Grand in December 2009 and the USA will need to turn things around if they are to win the Mosconi Cup for the first time since 2005.

European Billiard Team on Brink of Mosconi Cup Glory

European Billiard Team on Brink of Mosconi Cup Glory

 

Team Europe look set to retain the PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup for the first time in the event’s storied history as they took the Saturday evening session 2-1 to take a 9-5 lead into the final day at the Hilton Hotel in Portomaso, Malta.

Rodney Morris gave Team USA a massive shot in the arm in the opening match of the Saturday evening session as he won his first match of the tournament, defeating Niels Feijen 5-3 to reduce the European lead to two points.

Wins though for captain Alex Lely’s two lynchpins, Ralf Souquet and Mika Immonen, left Team USA reeling and needing to win six of Sunday’s seven games. There are two doubles and one singles match on Sunday afternoon and that may be enough.

A defeat in the opening game of the season would have left the Americans with an absolute mountain to climb, but Morris, making his sixth Mosconi Cup appearance looked all business as he went about his task.

Feijen won the lag but came up dry on his break and a fired up Morris ran out to take the opener. Despite Feijen getting to the table in the second, it was the American’s rack as they both had attempts on the 8 ball before Morris fired it home.

A 1/9 combo in the third game gave Morris a 3-0 lead, but the Hawaiian though, scratched in the next and with ball in hand, Feijen ran through the table to reduce the deficit to two racks.

That became just one rack in the next as following a safety exchange, Morris left the 3 ball on for Feijen and the Dutchman ran out.

A dry break in the next gave Feijen the opportunity and he tied Morris up in a snooker. Morris returned the favour and always had Feijen on the run. Eventually he ended the rack with a tidy 7/9 carom to reach the hill at 4-2.

A bad attempt by Morris to tie up the cue ball behind the black 8 to snooker Feijen on the 4 ball failed miserably and Feijen cleared to go 3-4.

Morris got nothing on his next break and Feijen pushed out. The Dutchman eventually missed the 1 ball and Morris, back at the table, secured the point with a 2/9 combo.

“I’m happy. I just wanted to enjoy myself and I kept thinking even if I lose every match if they call my name I will always be prepared,’ said Morris.

“They put me out there first and they call me the not-so-silent assassin. I can play as fast as anyone but you make mistakes playing fast. Even though I hate Ralf in the Mosconi Cup, he’s one of the guys that I want to watch because he takes his time. You have to slow down if you want to win.

“In singles you see the guys settle down and get into a rhythm so you will see some good stuff from us all.”

Ralf Souquet made it four wins out of four as he beat Shane Van Boening 5-2 to put Europe within three points of retaining the Mosconi Cup.

“I’m very pleased with the result but I wasn’t so pleased with the game as I made several mistakes at the beginning and couldn’t handle the shot clock,’ said Souquet after the match.

“I couldn’t pace myself into the shot clock but luckily at the end I calmed down a bit.

“You can only win as a team and lose as a team. It doesn’t matter who gets the Most Valuable Player award as long as one of our team gets it.

“It was very important I won after Niels unfortunately lost his match against Rodney. There’s still a long way to go – three points for us, but right now we’re just fighting for the next one.”

The turning point came at 3-2 when Van Boening, who has little or no hearing, incurred a time foul when he lost track of the time and could not hear the warning sound.

Souquet ran out with ball in hand and when Van Boening produced a dry break in the next, the writing was on the wall for Team USA.

In the final match of the session it was a rematch for Jeremy Jones and Mika Immonen and there was bad blood in the air following an altercation after their doubles match earlier today.

The Finn got the better of the opening encounters and at 3-2 ahead, Immonen had ball in hand as Jones failed to get out of a snooker.

However, the first beep of the shot clock count-down sounded just as he released his cue and he subsequently missed the pot. Jones made no mistakes as he ran out to level at 3-all.

The American made an illegal break in the next and with the 1 ball hovering over the edge of the pocket, it’s an easy start for Immonen and the 2-ball just falls over with his next shot. The rest is plain sailing for the European, who moves to the hill.

Immonen is smiling after the break as he closed in on another victory. It comes early with a 4/9 carom as the 9-ball disappeared into the side pocket. Another session goes Europe’s way and they finish just two points from glory.

‘The beginning was bad and I had a bad break then he played well and was 2-0 up. I had to fight back, I thought I was going to go up 4-2 but made a bad positional error so it got back to 3-3.

‘But I was breaking better than him and that was the edge. I think we’re going to sleep better than them. We just have to keep fighting, stay humble and do what we have done all year – winning matches.

‘One year I won four out of five matches and was Most Valuable Player and I think me and Ralf are fighting for the MVP. Hopefully we can win the Cup then we will see who is the MVP.’