Florida Pro Tour

[Neil Fujiwara]

The first stop is this weekend at Capone's in Spring Hill, anyone planning to attend?

[audiopro]

Opposite side of the state for me... But as soon as it get's closer??? :?

[Neil Fujiwara]

The next stop is in Melbourne, you down for Chinese food again?

[audiopro]

You know it! Pero Yo compro!

Hey is Buddy gonna be there? If so we can try the cheeseburger in a pocket tihing... :twisted:

[Neil Fujiwara]

I thought a Snickers in the back pocket would work better, sweets are irresistable.

[Neil Fujiwara]

Talked to John Ditoro a couple of days ago, he said that Strickland, Varner and other strong players are going to be there. The tournament was full and they had about 8 people on the waiting list, this is going to be crazy!! Not to mention Sigel making his comeback into competitive pool, he will be playing also.

Good thing I brought an MP3 player, I would hate to listen to him talk all match long.

[DEATHTRON]

Hes getting pretty old now...bring some speakers for that mp3 player...and get yourself some obnoxious rap, then blast that. Or maybe if you have to play him just beat him...that will shut him up too.

Zach

[Neil Fujiwara]

just beat him...that will shut him up too.

It doesn't sound like you know Mr. Sigel very well, there is a reason why they call him "The Mouth". Him talking while you are playing him is not the worst part about it, it's playing while he is on the sideline talking about matches, players or whatever pops into mind. His voice carries a LONG way and he has something to say about everything.

[audiopro]

Two words: Duct Tape

[spartan]

I never heard of him being called "The Mouth" before the IPT. I always heard "Captain Hook".

[Neil Fujiwara]

Well, he HAS been retired for a number of years (like 20) so his name doesn't pop up much. Try Google-ing: mike sigel mouth

The first thing that comes up is his website which proudly announces his nickname: "The Mouth".

[DZ314]

I remember seeing that push shot that Sigel got away with in an old match and the announcer said sometimes that happens with a player who is such a big name, the referee somehow doesn't believe that "such a great player" would do that so it is ignored. Maybe the ref didn't want to have the mouth all over him lol.

[spartan]

I met him when I was 17. He was at a local room representing Brunswick. He didnt seem loud, and cocky like he apparantly is. That is the only time I have seen him in person. Neil, do you know Mike?

[Neil Fujiwara]

Don't know him personally, but watched him play in Orlando and Atlanta for several hours. At first his banter is comedic but after a while it weighs on both his opponent and the crowd.

He is perfect for TV, he has the attitude and the mouth so everyone wants to beat him.

[spartan]

It is good to see him out of retirement. I am glad that older players like Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Allen Hopkins are finally being rewarded for their accomplishments.

[Neil Fujiwara]

I just had this conversation:

NF: Hey Tony, what are you up to?
Tony Crosby (TC): Nothing much, just got down here to Capone's to hit some balls.
NF: That sounds cool.
TC: It would be cool, but he won't shut up!!
NF: (busts out laughing with this thread in mind)

SEE!! I am not the only one!!

[audiopro]

ha ha ha... lol...

Definitely bring some duct tape with ya Neil. I think everyone would join you in holding him down in order to get his mouth closed...

[Neil Fujiwara]

The next time you watch him play, watch his eyebrows. They go up and down so much that he probably burns 100 calories just by moving them.

Do you know if the tour is coming to gainesville or not? KNow a URL for a list of stops?

I found this, http://www.azbilliards.com/2000showschedule.cfm?tournum=26

anybody with some more inside information as o the other 4 stops? I need to know whether or not i have to travel to see it.

[spartan]

Just read on AZ that Neil took 4th. With a field like that you should be very proud of yourself. Congrats.

[audiopro]

Damn Neil! Nice finish!!!

Oh wait,y our name is Neal? You have misspelled your own name on this forum for how long!?!? Geeze...

[DZ314]

Congrats Neil! You pwnz daWg!!!! :lol:

[Neil Fujiwara]

This weekend was the 1st event of the season and with the IPT spurring pool to new heights the field was tougher than usual. I think they got 61 players and the stands were constantly packed, it was a great event.

Saturday-
Match 1: Nice gentleman, I think it was his first big tournament, he drank two beers during our match. Score 7-1

Match 2: Another nice gentleman with a pretty large cheering crew, he played decently and almost won. Score 7-5

Match 3: I had to play Butch Croft, a good friend and great player, it was a close match and it came down to a circus jump shot to win. Score 7-6

Sunday-
Match 4: Charlie Williams........the score was hill-hill, I break and make 3 balls and have a shot at the 1-ball. I promptly scratch and lose the match. Score 7-8

Match 5: Had a marathon match with David Broxson, he played more safeties and I kicked more in this match than either one of us ever have. Hill-hill I broke and ran the last rack. Score 8-7

Match 6: Trevor Braymore, great player but didn't bring his game to the table. Score 8-2

Match 7: Next I played against one of the 3 players from Japan, Hiroshi Takenaka. Strong player but uncharacteristically missed 2-3 balls and I capitalized (amazingly) each time. Score 8-4

Match 8: The famous Earl Strickland......that guy is truly off his rocker. Has me 7-2 and I make a small comeback and just like against Charlie I break hill-hill and scratch while making the 1-ball. Score 7-8


Overall I was very happy with the way I played, against Earl in particular I had no fear and really no recollection of the balls made, I was truly in the zone. When it was hill-hill and I had a choice on the 1-ball I took my time to weigh out all the options and best course of action, then promptly screwed the pooch. 4th place was worth $1k which just about covered our drinking tab, Friday night I saw some friends from Orlando that I haven't seen in a while and we got OBLITERATED.

It was great to see everyone again, there were a lot of new faces too and I even signed some autographs and took a couple of pictures with fans. Capone's is a great place, they really make you feel at home there and the tables play absolutely perfectly.

[skor]

Very nice finish neil :!: you're the man

So what are you going to do with that $1000 prize??? are you getting another cue..... 8)

[Neil Fujiwara]

New shoes of course, actually I just got a new pair shipped to me on Friday and they are awesome.

Here is the jump shot against Butch, hill-hill:

START(
%A[1\3%B[7\9%C[3\3%D[8\9%E[3\3%F[2\2%G[3\6%Hh7V8%I[3I9%JH0U5
%K[6\5%L[5\4%M[8]0%N[8\7%O[1\3%PD1U5
)END


Does anyone know how to post the table? I have seen it done but have NO CLUE as to how to do it.

[skor]

[audiopro]

In the past two weeks I have ordered 6 pairs of new shoes... 8)

[Neil Fujiwara]

I just got a taste of Ecco shoes, so 6 pairs would be about $900.......no thanks. Bought two pairs so far and they are the greatest, was looking at another pair to buy in the next month or so.

Skor: Thank you for posting the table, that is what I left myself after shooting the 7-ball, great huh? When I walked to get the jump cue I told Butch "You are going to love this", meaning that I was going to go off the air and screw up hill-hill. After I made the shot and stopped it dead I was nervous and shaky, it's a surprise that I didn't miss the 9 or 10.

[skor]

Once I make a great jump or any great shot, I always run out, it's as if I get a boost of confidence.....

[DZ314]

Bad leave, but great shot Neil. Sometimes after I make a great shot I get a little shaky as well so it must not be too abnormal. I try to take a deep breath and use a moment to try to settle down for the next shot if there will be one.

[audiopro]

Once I make a great jump or any great shot, I always run out, it's as if I get a boost of confidence.....

Ditto that here... It makes you feel invincable!

[Neil Fujiwara]

Japanese proverb- "After victory, tighten your helmet chord. "

Even though it is good to have confidence, you can't bask in your own glory till the job is finished. After a tough shot there are plenty of times when you miss the next shot due to carelessness, I have done that too many times to get caught in that trap again.

[audiopro]

Chinese Proverb - "Man who stand on toilet, high on pot."

Sorry, couldn't resist...

[DZ314]

Chinese Proverb - "Man who stand on toilet, high on pot."

Sorry, couldn't resist...

:lol: :lol: :lol: LMAO good one

[Neil Fujiwara]

Here are a couple more:

Man who walk through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok

Confucious say: baseball wrong, man with 4 balls can not walk

[audiopro]

Man with hand in pocket, not always looking for change.

[spartan]

Neil with a field like that nd even going hill-hill with Earl Strickland is a great accomplishment. I think it is also important to add that you also work full time and play at a high level. That is very difficult to do. Hope to see ya at VF in a couple of weeks. Congrats again.

[Neil Fujiwara]

Actually I will tell you what it sticking in my craw and has been since it happened. Hill-hill against Charlie Williams I broke, made 3 balls and had a shot at the 1. When I got down to shoot the ball I had one thing in mind and I changed it without getting up. Of course I missed, scratched and watched Charlie run out for the win. I haven't done that in YEARS and admonish anyone I see doing it, guess I just took the heat and folded.

And against Earl I was down 2-7, came back 7-7 and of course he checks my rack for the first time. Not because the rack was bad, but just to interrupt the flow of what I was doing and trying to throw my game (possibly). Well again I make a ball on the break and have a choice on the 1-ball, which I try to avoid a scratch in the side unsuccessfully. Again I am relegated to watch from the chair again as my opponent runs out for the win.

Two fatal flaws at the same critical junction in the matches, what a coincidence huh? Not really. The more I play the more I am realizing about my game and what I need to work on, here it was just purely bad decision making on my part. Live and learn, each situation I am in like this the tougher I am going to get because I am going to learn and grow from it.

Oh, thank you very much, it was a very tough field but I was in a relatively easy bracket.