Sophies III

How does one get onto a pool league team? I was talking with a fellow "Killer Pool" participant last night at Edge Bar and he lamented the fact that all the East Village team rosters are full. It made me think of how fortunate I was with getting onto Sophies III (our team's official name). I was really drawn to the structured environment of the league matches that I had seen at several places, but I liked playing at Sophies the most. So I started by deliberately going in there to watch the matches and try to figure out how league pool is played, scored, etc. I asked a few people questions every once in a while. Then, once I had been around enough, I started to take pictures of the pool scene there, which led to prints I'd drop off for people, which led to them recognizing me and thanking me. One day I summoned the courage to ask Caveman, "What do I have to do to get onto one of the teams here?" He said, "Show up Tuesday around 7. We need the bodies." So I showed up, paid my APA dues and lo and behold he put me up as the first player of the night. A "baptism by fire" was how he put it. I decisively beat my opponent, to which Caveman said to the others, "I'm hanging onto this guy's contact info!"

A group picture taken this Tuesday outside of Sophies before our last match of the summer session. The fall league starts October 3rd, and I can't wait. Thanks to my teammates who make Tuesday nights so much fun. From left, team captain N. J. Gonzalez (aka Caveman), Wilfredo Correa (aka Freddy), Noah Rider, Cary Conover, Joseph Williams (aka Slima) and Josh Vietze. Photo by Po Chen.