Willie Foster

Last month I wrote an article in the March Splash titled “Why We Play Pool.” I presented an idea about why we play this game and introduced the readers to Rod “Babe” Thompson, a player who knows more about the game than just about anybody who has ever played. He has spent almost his entire life unlocking the mysteries of the game of pool.

The game of pool is most definitely a mysterious art form. Yes, there is an art form to it, which probably eludes most people who do not see this the way serious players see it. As I stated in my previous article, the laws of physics applies as there are a myriad of types of shots, angles, speed and English to be considered as no two shots are the same.

As an example, there definitely is an art form to gymnastics, tennis, baseball, etc. where physical and mathematical laws apply when considering speed and angles.

What makes pool so worthy of our time, for those of us who play it, is the deep satisfaction we gain when we come upon and learn some new physical law that helps us conquer a shot which had previously mystified us.

There is also the competition factor where we actually get to apply what we have learned against an opponent. This ingredient is the key reason we put our time and effort into trying to attain enough skill and knowledge to play a match where we can apply what we have learned. Thank God for opponents. After all, isn’t this why we play all sports?

Our wonderful billiards opponents who live in Mission Royale, (located in Casa Grande) gives us an opportunity to test ourselves against opponents other than those we play with and against in our own pool room each week.

We recently played a Home and Home match with Mission Royale as both teams are shown. We have a travel team trophy that we play for and that can be seen in the above-mentioned picture. It is not very big but the team who won the last match keeps it until the next Home and Home matches are played. This little trophy and where it resides produce a huge incentive, as both teams want to display this trophy on their own poolroom shelf. The last set of Home and Home matches produced a tie as we both won our games in our own poolrooms.

Of course we will soon be embarking on a new challenge to see who has the trophy at the end of the next Home and Home exchange. I cannot tell you how much fun this competition generates! There is endless teasing going on during these matches that adds to everyone’s enjoyment. You should join our league and find out for yourself how much fun it is.

For more information about the IronOaks Breakers Pool League contact Chairman David Mork at [email protected] or Tournament Director Willie Foster at [email protected].