Rack 'Em Pub & Billiards - Matthews, NC

FYI: Ever tried to get a team into Rack 'Em and you couldn't? Got privy to some info. and wanted to pass it on ASAP.

This upcoming session there are a few openings you may be interested in. If you want to play, please let Bob/Blake, the bartender or us know before week's end.

Space availability is first come/first serve.

Sundays - Inhouse 8-Ball. There is an opening for a team and possibly a few slots for players. Great relaxed division and a great way to start the week!

Mondays - May have some availability for a travel 8-ball team.

Tuesdays - Travel 8-ball and 9-ball. Travel is contained pretty much to a five mile radius and lots of fun.

Wednesdays - Travel 8-ball. Travel is contained in a five mile radius.

Thursdays - Inhouse 8-ball & 9-ball travel. With the addition of 3 more 9-ball teams an inhouse could be created. This Inhouse 8-ball division produced last Winter's $10,000 winning team, so the competition is high but the people are friendly.

Email info@8ballexpress.com for more info.

Playoffs Are Coming!

As both a friend and a league manager, kindly let me offer the following tips to those who will be in the playoffs to ensure a safe and happy holiday post-season:

• Two people will step to the table, one will win and one will not. Accept this and move on. Do not talk bad about their mother or question their moral up bringing if you loose. You just look silly and I may have to laugh at you and include you in a future blog post.


• I don't care how good a player is or what your put up strategy is, if a player is drunk or drinking heavily, play them early or not at all, then call a cab. You can check with the bartender before hand if not sure or make them do a practice lag to judge. If the ball flies off the table, ends up in a pocket or they try to lag with a coaster, just go ahead and bench them. They probably weren't going to win anyways.


• The rules are the same in post season as in regular season. Keep this in mind during the regular season AND the post season. While it's not right, if during weeks 1-13 you've let opposing teams go over the handicap limit, take 20 minute time outs, run late and then weeks 14-playoffs turn around and hold them to every rule in the book, don't be surprised if they don't exactly send you a Christmas card or ask for a group hug when it's all over. How about, for the most part, sticking to the rules through the Session to avoid this sudden change of good will. This will help people learn rules and hopefully avoid unnecessary confrontation. Chances are you will see your opponents again/play against them after all is said and done, so treat them accordingly.


• Week 2 of the Playoffs is not the optimal time to bring up handicap questions. If you see something Playoff Week 2 you've never seen before, like a 2 running racks, ok then, it is the optimal time. But if you've known/suspected for a while that a handicap is not right, let us know as soon as you can. If you know something isn't right the ENTIRE Session or even the 2nd half of it, but only let us know if your team looses AFTER the matches are all done, the situation is a lot messier than it has to be. We can handle the issues much better if we know there may be an issue AHEAD of time. Contact kim@8ballexpress.com right now if you have a handicap complaint or if you think there may be another issue at a match coming up.


• Don't take out your issues/stress/problems on your opposing team or your league manager. Hey, we've all got problems these days. How about you leave yours at home and let everyone have a good time! If you can't don't be surprised if you are removed from the league. One bad grape will not be allowed to spoil a bunch (or a division).


• 8 Ball Express is competitive but above all else it's about coming out each week and having a good time.

Now, good luck and have fun!

New Divisions Forming For Jan 2010 Play!

In case you are interested, there are some new things happening in our area for next session.
New Divisions:
* There will be a Wednesday 8-ball Inhouse out of Sharky's in Mint Hill with a min.
of 6 teams. If you are interested, let Sharky's or me know.
* New Tuesday 8-ball Travel Division forming on the North/West Side of Town. New locations include an awesome new bar that recently opened in the old Derita Station location. It's now "Da Bear's Den" (as in The Chicago Bear's) and they really did a great job with remolding and offer a full kitchen, patio and tons of tvs. Let them know if you want to play Tuesday 8-ball travel.
* Open spot in Tuesday 9-ball travel for 1-3 teams.
* New teams forming out of the recently opened "Bad Fish Billiards" in downtown Matthews. Check with Danny Caldwell for more info. Travel any night S-Th 8-ball or travel Tues/Thurs 9-ball.
* New locations joining and looking for a few members such as Yesteryear's, Five Steps, Sharky's, Da Bear's Den, Bear's Lair, Jillian's, Bad Fish Billiards and a few others. If you are interested, email me at dawn@8ballexpress.com.
There are some more things in the works and we are VERY excited about 2010 and hope you are too!

More Sundays With 8 Ball Express

FYI - Two other Sunday Divisions exist in Charlotte in addition to the new 2pm Sunday travel division we are starting on the South side.

• 4:30pm - Inhouse at The Getaway Pub. Spots open for players.
• 7pm - Rack 'Em. Opening for team of players. As far as I know, most of the teams are full, but Rack 'Em can accommodate additional teams due to more tables.

If interested, either email Dawn@8ballexprss.com so I can point you to a team or simply show up at either location the 1st Sun in Sept and let the bartender know you are looking to join a team.

Pineville - Sunday Afternoons Spent with 8 Ball

Sunday afternoons at 2pm there will be an 8 Ball Travel Division in Pineville. If you are interested, let Kim or I know. Dawn@8ballexpress.com. Because, well, Sunday afternoons mean no late nights out playing pool! Gotta love that right?

Double Down, Single Hit, Nil

Don't forget this is the last week to turn in team registrations in order to get your two bonus points. Deadline - 4/5/09.
After this Sunday you have 1 week to get 1 point. Deadline - 4/12/09.
After that you just get a smile and a slot to play. :)

Here I Am!

I met someone last night for the, I'd say, 3rd or 4th time. While I remembered him, he couldn't seem to place me with working for 8 Ball Express.

Since I've had the same job/route for the past few years and work all the tournaments and Charlotte meetings, I know I've met many members but realize it hasn't been every member and maybe I've met you only once.

I guess I don't have a memorable face or maybe I just take for granted that people would recognize me out in public, so in hindsight, I'm posting my photo here and reintroducing myself. That way, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to approach me if I don't approach you!

Dawn Reid, 8 Ball Express Charlotte Area Administrator w/Kate

I know I am terrible with names, so forgive me if I don't recall yours off the top of my head, but I can for the most part remember faces and which team and location you play with.

Didn't See That One Coming

Tonight someone complained about a handicap, no big deal right?

Except they were complaining about their opponent being OVER ranked. That's right, this guy actually said about his opposition..."He's no 6! That guy I played really should be a 4".

Now, I'm not naive and will acknowledge there is a possibility a player may try to downplay their own performance by diluting his opponent's game, but I don't think that was the case this particular time. (And no, I don't believe they are friends or relatives.)

I simply think he was genuinely surprised by the rankings and made a non-formal complaint to help the guy out. Good sportsmanship or not, hearing it just made me laugh and want to mention it in my blog.

(Fill a) "Supper" Bowl Sunday

If you aren't doing anything for the Super Bowl and are hungry, I got invitied to Getaway's "Chili Cook-off" today. I think Chili's have to be there by 6pm for judging. Come and help pick the best!

Fun Levels Fall 24%

The "fun level" at my job has fallen an estimated 24% recently, all because one particular member has taken some time off from 8 Ball Express. You see, she was the driving force behind unusual nicknames for players and themes for teams. Since she's been gone this session, when I update member nicknames I find myself only keying in "Dave" for "David" instead of "Dirty Pirate Kroch" for "Brandy". No one on the "Breakin' Wind" team has anything unusual to be called by...that is unless you count "Simply Bob" as unusual.
So I have to report my fun levels are down about 12% on Tuesday and Sunday nights. I hope A.H. returns and brings her crazy team themes with her!

Problems? What Problems?

In a division that gives me little grief there is one individual in particular that gives me hope my job means something to someone. (After the occasional night of more than one issue and/or complaint, sometimes I REALLY wonder what this is all for. I mean, it's not like I'm out there curing cancer or anything.)

From what I've been told, this woman has had a tough time in life recently. She's had multiple personal problems but seems to be on the up and up lately. She confided in me that, in spite of her problems (no correction, because of her problems) she has turned to and found solace in pool. She uses practice and league play along side a desire to be the best she can be to rise above her issues. She is playing several nights a week around people that support and care about her on her rode to recovery. She never complains and seems genuinely excited about pool and always appears to have a good time. (I think she's even going to start her own team next session!)

Hearing her story last night really helped me to take my focus off the few (but seemingly repetitive) issues that can plague my nights from time to time. I, instead, began to recall the many members in 8 Ball Express that have a great time and enjoy the game. The majority should be controlling my job satisfaction, not the minority right? (Hey, I'm a member myself and know that I L-O-V-E my 9-Ball night out!)

The Girls

Last week I met two amazing sisters (J. & C.).

They play pool three nights a week, travel frequently (at least once a month from what I could tell), get manicures/pedicures, wear bright pink lipstick, stop smiling only to laugh and playfully flirt and tease all the guys. Oh yes...did I mention they are both at least in their 60's?

Good for them and what great role models for those of us who believe you never stop living if you chose to get out there and live it up!

First Post

Ah, the first post!

Basically, my job as the Charlotte Area League Administrator for 8 Ball Express is so full of interesting things that I just had to start a Blog about them all.

As to not offend, I will use initials instead of full names and try to limit any negative things or exclude idle gossip.

Enjoy the ride!