Billiard Signatures
So through out the site I have some other pictures of me with some notable players but recently I have been trying to either get that picture signed or at a minimum a signed picture of them. Here is my ever growing collection of autographs. I am always looking on how to expand this collection.
Darren “Dynamite” Appleton
On June 6th, 2016 I was lucky enough to not only meet Darren Appleton but also had a chance to participate in a group lesson given by him. He is a phenominal player and teaching not only helps his students but he said it also helps him prepare for upcoming tournaments. By teaching it helps the students learn something new and cements it even further into the teachers mind. So I not only got a great photo with him but I had it printed at the local CVS so I could then have him sign it too.
He showed me one of the best practice shots you can take to prepare yourself to play. Also how best to shoot when the cue ball is frozen against the rail. Great guy and if you are able to get a lesson from him I recommend that you take it.
Shane Van Boening aka The South Dakota Kid
On September 4th, 2015 I had to opportunity to watch a challenge match between Shane Van Boening and Mike Dechaine, Click here to see the video of the match. At the end of the match I was able to take a picture with Shane knowing that he was going to be in Connecticut the next day. So I went to Walmart Friday night and had a 8×10 picture printed so I could have him sign it the next day. I thought to myself how many opportunities will you have to have a picture of you with the person and their signature on it.
Shane of course is a great guy and more than willing to accommodate a fan.
Mike Dechaine aka The Fireball
So again on September 4th, 2016 Mike Dechaine was in Rhode Island with Shane Van Boening doing an exhibition match where I was able to get a picture with him. I then had him sign it the next day while they both where at Shooters in Connecticut. I actually had the pleasure of playing a fe games against him a few years back while he was at the Claddagh Pub in Lawrence supporting the APA League. I actually came very close to beating him but I broke and ran down to the 8 and then shanked it. Mike did shoot great during the September 4th match against Shane and was able to pull out a victory, it came down to one game which since the race was to 21 it made for a 4 and a half hours match. Talk about endurance pool.
While I was up in Maine I found a cue ball in an antique store so I purchased it. Figured you never know when you will need one. Well a time when I needed it came up, I was having Mike and Shane sign stuff so I had them both sign this cue but since Mike is from Maine maybe it was a cue ball that at one time in the past he shot around with (maybe not but its kewl to dream).
Make It Happen 10 Ball Invitational Dec 17-20, 2015
The Make It Happen 10 Ball Invitational happened from Dec 17th to Dec 20th, 2015. From left to right, Earl Strickland (Five Time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion), Shane Van Boening (Four Time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion), Jayson Shaw (Three Time Turning Stone 9-Ball Champion), Pat Fleming, Darren Appleton (Two Time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion), Thorsten Hohmann (Two Time World 9-Ball Champion), Yu-Hsuan (Kevin) Cheng (2015 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion). Shane Van Boening ended up coming on top by beating Jayson Shaw in the finals.
While at the Super Billiard Expo there was a booth that had a collection of billiard pictures. He had a handful of these and I liked how it looked so I got one. Having quite a few of the greats made it even more appealing to me.
Earl “The Pearl” Strickland vs Darren “Dynamite” Appleton 4 Pocket Match
Format: 4 Pocket Table, 10 Ball, Race to 75 Call Shot
I went to the 2016 Super Billiard Expo because one of my teams made it to TAP Nationals. I was lucky enough to catch Earl Strickland doing an exhibition at The Kings Of Vapor booth. I was able to get him to sign his side of the flyers that were getting handed out in advertisement of the upcoming challenge match between him and Darren Appleton.
Then the next day I saw Darren Appleton playing a series of games against someone. I waited until he stepped away from the table and got him to sign it as well. So I was able to get autographs of two great players of the game on a single flyer.
Darren ended up pulling out a victory against Earl in this no side pocket challenge.
Jarrod Clowery
Jarrod Clowery is a Semi-Pro player who was also at Snooker's in RI on September 4th, 2015, he can be heard in some of the commentary in the video linked to above. He is not only a star of Tru TV's show The Hustlers but he is a Boston Bombing survivor. I see that playing pool is something he loves to do and he is always encouraging people to play their best. Even though he spelled my name with two g's he still signed it “Stay Low & Hitem Slow”. Thank you Jarrod for being Boston Strong.
