MIKE KAY CITES DAN RAYNOR FOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD!

Dan and I were playing in the Poker tournament held on April 3, 2005 at Skip & Jan's.  It was a 5/3 race for me.  Dan and I were playing the sixth game with Dan having 2 wins to my 3 wins.  Dan had called an extremely difficult shot wherein the cue ball was almost touching his object ball that was lodged in between my two balls.  Dan subsequently missed the shot.  I had asked him if it was ball in hand because it did not appear to me that he had hit his object ball even though the cue ball did travel around the table and strike one of his other balls but neither that ball nor the cue ball struck a rail.  Dan said "no".  So, I left the cue ball where it was and called "defense" and made a successful defensive shot.  Dan then pulled me aside and explained to me that he was thinking incorrectly about his previous shot and that yes, in fact, it was a ball in hand foul and that I could put the ball that I had shot the defense on back in its original position and take ball in hand and redo the shot.  I explained to Dan that that was not fair and unnecessary and for him to go ahead and take his shot.  Later in the game I was attempting to play another defensive shot and I missed my object ball.  Dan told me that he would shoot his balls from the location that the cue ball had landed and that he would not take ball in hand to make it fair for the previous ball in hand that I should have taken.  We both agreed and he completed one shot and scratched the cue ball on the last of his remaining balls.  At this point, I took ball in hand and won the game.  I proceeded to win the next game as well for the match.  I am extremely positive that Dan would have won the match if he would have taken ball in hand when I missed my defensive shot. 

I believe that Dan deserves much more credit than I could give him by expressing my immense respect to him after the tournament.  Dan is definitely the man to see for the definition of sportsmanship.  Not only does Dan have a great respect for the game but also a great respect for his fellow player.  I am proud to have had the honor of playing such a great adversary.

MIKE HUBBARD RECEIVES "SPORTSMANSHIP" AWARD!

I would like to recognize Mike Hubbard of "Pocket Rockers" (F-9), a fellow team Captain, for a truly unselfish act of sportsmanship.  During my match with Mike on Wednesday, March 23, 2005, I was excited that I was doing so well.  Due to this enthusiasm, I mistakenly thought I had ball in hand after Mike scratched on the break.  As we all know, I should have taken my follow-up shot "in the kitchen," but I did not.  While Mike had an opportunity to perhaps stop my momentum during our match. he chose not to.  Instead, he mentioned this afterwards for information only.

There is a level of competition that sometimes exhibits itself that isn't commensurate with a trophy league.  As long as I've known Mike he's always played his matches with the proper perspective. after all, isn't the idea to have fun?  As a player in this league for three seasons now, there have been ups and downs my team and I have experienced, and I felt it would be a disservice to allow Mike's behavior to go unrecognized.  Mike has always exhibited an overall sense of fair play, and this is further demonstrated by the play of his fellow teammates, which is exemplary too.

Those of us fortunate enough to play against individuals of his caliber have a duty to "spread the word" so we all can better enjoy the great sport of billiards.

Three days following the occasion that prompted this submission, I found out when visiting w/ friends at Mike's home bar that he will be moving on to another division at the end of this season.  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mike and his team for the fantastic matches played and wish them all the best in their new division.

Sent in by Robert Hunkins - Captain of Team "Just for Fun" (F-3).

"Doc Rice Receives Award For Top Performance"

It takes a lot of dedication, commitment and perseverance to become an excellent pool player and Phoenix T.A.P.'s Doc Rice has all three, plus a love for the game that is unrivaled.  Doc's near-flawless performance for Spring in his division prompted his team mates to nominate him for Phoenix T.A.P.'s "Top Performer" award.  Not only did he win 13 out of 14 matches, he only lost a total of 9 games out of 80! During the middle of the session he won 10 weeks straight, losing only 3 games.

When speaking to Doc about his fantastic performance, he was asked what made this session different.  He stated that he was practicing more and felt more focused; however, he said that the camaraderie of his team was a big part of him playing so well.   

Doc stated that if a player's goal is to get better, practice is the key - and a lot of it!  He schedules between 10-20 hours every week for practice.   Doc said, "to be a good player, you need a little talent, love for the game, and the willingness to work hard for what you want to achieve."

Doc started playing pool when he was 17 years old in Wisconsin "because there wasn't anything else to do during those cold winters!"  His biggest influence was a local talent by the name of Willy Munson and his goal was to eventually beat him one day...that day came 14 years later.

Even though Doc loves to play in the weekly local tournaments, he looks forward to league play a few times a week.  Doc is one of T.A.P.'s greatest supporters and we are proud to have a player of his caliber in the league.  It gives all of us a chance to see a really great player and aspire to his level.

Doc also enjoys teaching the sport of billiards. He offers lessons at a reasonable price for anyone interested in taking their game to the next level. Whether you are a new player to the sport or a veteran player looking for advanced techniques, Doc has the talent to help you improve your game. To discuss lessons, call him at 480-603-8783.

Congratulations Doc - you are definitely Phoenix T.A.P.'s "Top Performer" for Spring 2004.