What’s in a name?
Rack ‘em up
Why did Welcome Inn seem extra busy on the first night of the 2023 Spring Session of Fort Bragg Pool League? Well, because there were four teams playing there. Welcome Inn’s Teams 1 and 2. And Tip Top Teams # 1 and 2.
What the? Wheres the? I thought the . . . isn’t the Tip Top closed? However, it was working out fine but some were thinking aloud, “can’t they rename themselves?” I’m sure this had happened once before because Captain Dan and all League players were kicked out of a venue in the second week of League nearly 6 years ago and spent the rest of the season playing the front table at Welcome Inn. I don’t remember it being so packed, but then, Charla’s Angels hadn’t been making and baking and bringing in homemade food back then either, and when food is served, it always seems to bring in a few different smiling faces.
The match between the Welcome Inn Teams had Team # 1 showing twice as many wins at the half as
Team # 2 and within Team # 1 confidence reigned. Oops, and uh-oh time arrived quickly as Welcome Inn Team # 2 began the second half, by dominating the first two games to tie it. Team # 1 finally did prevail, but just barely.
Tip Top Team # 1 won decisively against Tip Top Team # 2, remaining the most formidable team in our 2023 League. I also bumped into a player that has remained unseen for way too many months. Ridge Gorman is playing again, and surprise surprise is playing for Tip
Top # 1. Even with Ridge on the team though, some players are still betting that the team will take some losses, we’ll see because some teams are still signing players. What is happening with the 3-player teams for Thursday night Pool League?
FOR TUESDAY, 2/21/2023
8-BALL ON BREAK >> Bob Wright set the tone for Golden West Saloon’s Team # 1 for Spring of 2023.
Visit Fort Bragg Pool League sponsors: Angelina’s Grille & Bar, Golden West Saloon, Milano Hotel and Bar, or Welcome Inn: all maintain a schedule of Fort Bragg Pool League players and teams. Look to the list for someone you know and find where they are playing. You might join the team, make new friends, or watch 8-ball games as they unfold. The League plays Tuesdays at 7 pm ending before 10 pm.
CUE TIP >> The Spring League of 2023 will be very competitive this year and we will also have playoffs. The League will play those playoffs on 07/04/2023. That is a very long time to keep your game strong from now until then. You should get a regular practice session started. You would be even wiser to include one of your teammates so you double the benefit for the team. Also, when you set a practice time with a teammate you might be more inclined to follow through and not skip it.
Watch weekly League games and identify your team’s needs. Practice helping teammates with problem shots. If it is at all possible take videos of one another while you drill. Seeing yourselves making the errors goes a long way to helping in correcting them. For example, a player we know is secretly shooting a thousand balls in 60 days on a straight-in-shot drill as part of a bet. Playing a cross-corner-to-corner straight-in-shot is boring, but will become more interesting as you improve, trust me. Remember, if you play straight-in shots correctly you will develop muscle memory and continue shooting straight on all shots. When you can do that, you will be able to cut a ball better because you will be more accurate with the cue ball. Becoming a straight shooter doesn’t take long, it takes a few weeks of steady practice playing a simple, straight-in shot. If you don’t line it up straight you are defeating the purpose, you want to shoot straight and make the ball. After you are making 95% of your straightin ball shots, you should start applying different types of spin on the cue ball as you shoot, reverse it, follow it, or just use sidespin, all while still playing your same exact straight shot. Once you get back to the high percentage of making balls, even while using spin, you have arrived. You are someone that will be winning more games simply because you are able to use spin for gaining shape while also making your object ball. Almost anyone over time can become a good pool shot, it’s much easier though when you practice drills designed to help you be a good pool shot. Contact me at mcbohanon@gmail.com.