As a huge fan of tennis, golf, and many more worldwide sports, it is now time to follow suit by seeding 64 players, instead of 32. We have been seeding players for 15-20 years. Of the 32, about 10 did not fall into any qualifications category from the WPA or BCA rankings. To pay homage to our past champions we also included some of them, which left about 20 true seeds from the U.S. and other countries that were deserving. Well, not anymore.
Take the World Tennis Association, for example. They have around 1,000 ranked players from all over the world and for all four majors they seed 25% of the field of 128 players, 32 seeds. After going to the past two U.S. Open Tennis Championships, I have learned quite a bit about how they structure majors.
This year’s structure for the U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships is long over due. These changes are best of our sport for many reasons.
Before I begin, we are certain to have a full field this year, partly due to adding more money this year because of the success of 2010 with 256 players and 2011 with 251 players. Here is the breakdown with the added money of $72,000.00 which totals a prize of $200,000.00.
1st $30,000.00
2nd $15,000.00
3rd $10,000.00
4th $8,000.00
5th through 64th will pay better and instead of 65th through 96th only receiving their entry fee back, it is now $1,000.00. How do you like them apples?
Deadline for the top 64 seeds must be paid by October 15th to guarantee proper seeding. 64 players should pay by Oct. 15 to keep their seeds.
Players from around the world who put in the time traveling to many events, gaining points, are deserving if they meet the criteria to obtain one of the seeds. By doing this we are also structuring for the future of our sport. Positive changes occur each year at the U.S. Open because most everyone is here. We, along with Ken Shuman, Jay Helfert, and others, can approach different views and make very good decisions regarding our sport. Deadline for the top 64 seeds to pay their entry fees is October 15th to guarantee proper seeding.
Proper seeding has been an issue on my mind for several years now, especially since more players from across the globe are coming to the U.S. Open and we want to thank them properly. This year marks 37 years of the U.S. Open and that is a very long time, a lifetime, and I am proud to have made improvements along the way. I would like to thank Rob Johnson, president of the B.C.A., for helping these past two years by collecting entry fees, which turned out to be a savior for us and assures everyone gets paid on time with no delay. And I would like to thank the ABP for supporting us once again and we welcome their participation.
Having 64 seeds is absolutely, 100%, the correct thing to do. Again, each year the U.S. Open begins new ways for others to follow suit, which may be better. Better is always a good thing. There are so many great players every year, anything could happen. There will be many upsets along the way, as any player can have a great match and win against anyone in the field. Take Tom Kennedy for example. In 1992 he was unseeded and won the U.S. Open. Mike Dechaine three years ago, unseeded, defeated Shane Van Boening in the first round. The list goes on and on. We will have the seeds in order, as best we can, before the event starts.
Someone said this could cause us to have less than a full field, but, again, we feel just the opposite. We are making a statement for other promoters to follow. We hope to open the eyes of corporate America to become involved with a structured organization and federations around the globe. We need to finally be sound rather than wishy washy. I know why Coca-Cola decided not to be involved with pool a few years ago and it was not good. Shannon and I made a deal with Pepsi and they are not going anywhere. They like the way they were treated. Lastly, being structured is what the corporate world is looking for so lets give it to them properly.
See you in Virginia Beach!
Barry Behrman & Shannon Behrman Paschall
