Association of Billiard Professionals Launches Site

September 3, 2010 · 7 Comments

The Association of Billiard Professionals board of directors has released the organization's mission statement: to continually improve the sport of pocket billiards as measured by the Fans, Tournament Promoters, Sponsors and Players. In a statement issued by the ABP, the board stated, "We will accomplish our goals through a relentless commitment to open and clear two way communications, by constantly searching for opportunities for cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships and by making fact based decisions using industry input and research. Always, with the good of our sport and it's constituents being foremost in our thoughts and actions."

To the fans, the ABP's goal will be "to consistently provide a top quality sporting experience delivered by professional players and promoters and to expand the opportunities to follow professional pocket billiards via the internet and television as well as live events.

"To our Tournament Promoters and Sponsors, our goal is to maximize your return on your investment in tournament and event production. We will achieve this by providing the full cooperation of the touring professionals. We will help maximize interest and attendance through advance communication and planning, demonstrating the highest level of professional behavior at all times and providing access to billiard professionals for promotional opportunities."

The ABP additionally offered a mission to its players: "To our Players, our goal is to provide a platform, similar to other professional sports, where touring professionals can pursue the sport they love as a full time career and achieve reasonable financial success. By doing so we hope to increase the number of billiard professionals, tournament events, and sponsorships thus providing incentive for the growth of our sport. We will achieve this by supporting our Tournament Promoters and Sponsors while providing exciting and engaging performances for the Fans. We will achieve this by cooperation and partnership with all Players and Tournament Promoters so that we may develop a consistently fair, equitable and reliable system of play and rewards."

The ABP website is www.abp-players.com. The ABP invites players, professionals and amateurs alike to click on the visitors page and share your comments.

ABP board members include Johnny Archer, Mike Davis, Corey Deuel, Oscar Dominguez, Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, Stevie Moore, Rodney Morris, Shawn Putnam, John Schmidt, Shane Van Boening and Charlie Williams.

Tags: POOL TOWN · GREAT POOL PLAYERS

7 responses so far ↓

1 Harold Simonsen // Sep 3, 2010 at 6:41 AM

Congratulations on your welcomed endeavors. When you have to make those tough decisions, a good rule of thumb is to ask "is it good for the sport?"
2 Rod Neely // Sep 3, 2010 at 8:53 AM

It's great to see professionals joining forces for the betterment of the game. If you want more prize money you need more fan interest to get more recognition for TV money. Gentlemen show some personality, and be accesible, no actually reach out to the fans. I go to Turningstone every year. Thorsten Holman, Oscar, Mike Davis, John Schmidt to name a few have been very engaging when I approached them. Never did I feel like I was intruding or taking up there time. They were very gratious. I do understand there are times not to approach. Corey, Shane show some personality. Johnny Archer be more than a great pool player. You gaze straight ahead like a stick figure. I saw Tommy Kennedy at Valley Forge a few years ago, now there is personality. Earl although sometimes a jack ass at least interesting. I don't condone or suggest that he is the way to grow the sport, but he is far from a robot. I am a pool purest and love the sport. There are not enough of me for you to play for the money you deserve. YOU have to sell your sport if you want the money you deserve. This was meant to be constructive. I hope you take it that way.
3 ronn marcelais // Sep 3, 2010 at 9:35 AM

Great site so far. keep it up and full.
4 Ralph from Mesa Arizona // Sep 3, 2010 at 2:26 PM

Congratulations from the Senior Cactus League of Mesa, Arizona. We wish you the best of luck and great success with the new organization. I only wish you had a tournament in the Phoenix Arizona area.
Sincerely,
Ralph Bausch
Venture Out in Mesa Arizona
Poolroom Manager
5 Chip Elkins // Sep 3, 2010 at 5:14 PM

I'd like to extend my wholehearted support to this entire group of professionals and the Association of Billiards Professionals. It is paramount that the Association accentuates the positive while addressing necessary issues and well-deserved improvements. I look forward to excellent leadersip from such an astounding group.
6 Pool Tables // Oct 19, 2010 at 6:49 PM

So what are their methods of "Two-way communication?" I'm not sure I believe it unless they've got some kind of sweet website or something running.
7 Jean // Jun 27, 2011 at 12:00 PM

I like the idea of an association but unfortunately the players just are business professionals. This new ABP has already failed in their own standards. Oh well. Next association?