If you played in Diamond Eight’s Wednesday night APA Double Jeopardy division, chances are pretty good that you are now making plans for a trip to Las Vegas in August! The APA of Greater Albany’s Local Team Championships was held at Diamond Eight June 3-5, 2011, with 35 teams competing for 2 slots to the APA National 8-Ball Team Championships and 16 teams competing for the lone 9-Ball slot. Two Wednesday night Diamond Eight teams were able to stay undefeated throughout the single-elimination tournament to become Albany’s representation at the Riveria in Las Vegas in August.

“U Rack We Run,” led by captains Frank Rich and Wes Hotaling, was able to hang on in some tight matches to go undefeated and capture both an 8-Ball and 9-Ball Championship and those tickets to Las Vegas.

“Gone Shootin,” led by captains John Stock and Craig Eagleson, stayed strong throughout the tournament to earn the other 8-Ball Championship. The teams will compete in the APA National Team Championships, held in August at the Riveria Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Diamond Eight was well-represented in the exciting semi-final matches in all three brackets, with 5 of 6 teams, including Gone Shootin (8-Ball), U Rack We Run (in 8-Ball and 9-Ball), The Misfits (8-Ball), Blue’s Cues (8-Ball).

All the teams put up a valiant fight in the well-run and well-organized tournament. See selected photos over at the Diamond Eight Flickr photostream.

Diamond Eight’s 9th annual Toys for Tots 8-Ball Tournament was a huge success, thanks to all of our very generous players! 28 league players from the area came together to benefit the local branch of the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots initiative. Many others stopped by to participate in the raffles and enjoy the home-cooked buffet. Two over-filled boxes of toys were collected and over $300 was raised, which will be used to purchase more toys for teens aged 13-15.

Congratulations to Ryan Brown and Larry Meliak, who defeated John Robinson and Arun N. in a good final match. Both teams played very well to reach the finals, in a very competitive field. Larry was able to strike the decisive blow with a 9-ball on the break! Nice shooting guys! Tied for third were Jeffrey Delefano and Pete Mitchell, and Val Williams and Mike Herlihey. Special thanks to Mike and Val who donated their winnings back to the Toys for Tots! Thanks guys!

The 9-Ball Scotch Doubles tournament saw 28 players matched up in pairs to compete in this fun event and enjoy the delicious buffet provided by Diamond Eight. Thanks to everyone who came out to support Toys for Tots!

Congrats to Tom Acciavatti, who won the awesome cue, donated by the APA of Greater Albany! Linda won the 50/50 while many of the players won great raffle prizes!

Thanks to everyone who came out to support Toys for Tots! Special thanks to Tracie and Kim for their help!

Jackie Ford got the best of Frank Majewski while Audre Hartman slipped past Joe Sinicropi to advance to the finals. Audre and Jackie played well to reach hill-hill, but Jackie was able to take the deciding game and win Diamond Eight’s October 16 8-Ball Singles Tournament. It was a fun tournament and thanks to everyone who played! Congrats also to Eddie Skawinski, playing in his first singles tournament; he shot very well and won his first two matches! Good job Eddie! Thanks to all the players: Touche, Arun, Larry, Stephen, Ed, Eddie, Joe, Frank G, Frank M., Frank M., Jackie, and Audre! Congrats Jackie!

Congrats to Kathleen and Arun, who bested John and Kevin in our October 9 Scotch Doubles 9-Ball Tournament. The four players are all part of “Blue’s Cues,” a Sunday night league team! John and Kevin seemed to have the early edge, but Kathleen and Arun both played smart throughout the match to earn the win. The field of six teams had a great time playing in this fun format. Ed and Eddie (in his very first tournament!) slipped by Scott and Tracie while Kathleen and Arun edged out Cindy and Jeff to advance to the semi-finals. Stephen and Larry were eliminated by Kathleen and Arun in the 3rd round despite overcoming a 3-1 deficit against Ed and Eddie in the 1st round.  Ed and Eddie gave Kathleen and Arun a run, bringing the match to the hill, but after both teams swatted at the 9-ball a few times, Kathleen made a difficult cut with the 9-ball on the rail to win the match and advance to the finals! Great shooting to all!

Diamond Eight once again hosted the APA of Albany’s Local Team Championship, the culminating event of the league year. Teams who qualified during the 2009-2010 season competed in both 8-ball and 9-ball formats. In 8-Ball, Diamond Eight’s “Gone Shootin,” (John Stock) were able to hold on against Diamond Eight’s “Odd Balls” (Ryan Brown) in an extremely tight final match and punch their ticket to Las Vegas, where they will compete in the APA National Team Championships.

The final battle saw “Gone Shootin” ahead 2-1 with the following matches played in a sudden death 1-game format. Tom easily broke and ran the 4th match, putting the teams tied at 2. Scott Winchell then battled Steve Smith in the final and deciding game. (no pressure!) Both players looked at a very difficult table and traded shots until only 3 balls remained. Steve made his last ball, but his draw shot veered short and to the side to sit nearly touching the 8-ball. Steve miscued while hitting the 8-ball which boded well for Scott until the 8-ball ended up blocking Scot’s 7-ball from the corner. Scott played an amazing safe to force Steve to try to kick in the 8. Steve’s shot looked good, but too powerful and the 8-ball landed between the corner and side pockets. Scott made the 7 easily but left himself a tough cut shot in the side on the 8. Somehow the 8 fell and the “Gone Shootin” are gone to Las Vegas!

1st: Gone Shootin: John Stock, Chris Titterton, Ryan Dean, Craig Eagleson, Tracie Aldous and Scott Winchell

2nd: Odd Balls: Captain: Ryan Brown, Scott Lendin, Sanita Baggetta, Tom Acciavatti, Mccrea Manning, Steve Smith, Adam Banker

The APA-sponsored U.S. Amateur pre-qualifier tournament held at Diamond Eight on Saturday, April 24th saw nine of the top players in the area compete for the $100-added prize money. Tom Acciavatti played expertly throughout the day to once again prove his dominance in the league format. Frank Rich also played strong to finish 2nd, while Scott Winchell held on to 3rd place.The event was notable for two main reasons: great practice for the upcoming U.S. Amateur Championship Preliminary Rounds, to be held nationwide September 17-19, and an introduction to the Masters league format which will start up at Diamond Eight in the Fall.

U.S. Amateur

Winners of the preliminary rounds advance to the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship, to be held in early November at Strokers in Tampa, Florida. The Men’s Championship: is scheduled for Nov. 5-7, while the Women’s Championship will be held Nov. 6-7.

APA Masters Division

The Master format is a no handicap format, with three team players participating in each week’s matches. A fourth member can also be added to the roster. Each individual match is a race to 7, which can include up to eight games of 9-ball and five games of 8-ball. Contact APA of Albany league operator Matt MacPhail at 518-708-9567 for more information.

The Brian Mason Memorial Tournament was an overwhelming success, with 32 fellow APA league players and Brian’s family and friends coming together to remember Brian. In one of the largest league tournaments ever held at Diamond Eight, 16 teams played scotch doubles 9-Ball, with the all-female final match going to the hill. Audre Hartman and Bernadette Westbrook edged out Christine Skawinski and Jen Oliver to win 1st place. Dan Murray won the beautiful Cuetec cue donated by the APA of Albany while his brother Dave took home a Diamond Eight gift pack. Over $500 was raised for the American Diabetes Association. A plaque was installed at Diamond Eight to remember Brian. Frank Rogers shared some memories of Brian with the emotional crowd of players, family and friends, who all shared in a delicious hot and cold buffet. Thanks again to everyone who participated to help make this event so successful!

Audre Hartman and Bernadette Westbrook lost in the first round to Tracie and Scott, but played strong to get to the finals by beating Jeremy and Steven, who had been undefeated to that point. Christine Skawinski and Jen Oliver also found their way back to the winner’s side after a 2nd round loss to John and Brian. They defeated Brian and Julie to meet Audre and Bernadette in the finals. The final match was played very well, with neither team deserving a loss. In a 3-3 tie and the 7-8-9 left on the table, a safety battle ensued, with Audre and Bernadette coming out on top, after Audre made a tough cut shot on the 9-ball for the win.

Brian Mason’s son Brian and his future son-in-law Eric played very strong, and finished tied for 5th place with Kathleen and Arun. If they ever join the league, watch out! The Mason Family was very appreciative of the support and love shown in memory of Brian, in an event that Brian “would’ve loved,” playing pool, and spending time with friends and family.
More photos from the event are posted on flickr.

Congratulations to Tom Acciavatti for advancing to the U.S. Amateur Championship, to be held November 6-8 at Stroker’s in Tampa, Florida! Tom was among the four Diamond Eight league players competing against the very best pool players in the region, in the preliminary tournament held in Connecticut over the weekend of September 19-20, 2009. Congratulations to Frank Rich, Joe Sinicropi, and Chris Smith, who impressed the field with their skills. Frank and Joe got to the semi-final round, while Chris advanced to the final table in his bracket. Winners of each bracket gained entry into the prestigious U.S. Amateur Championship.

All four players advanced to the semi-final round, proving once again the strong competitive nature and skills of Diamond Eight players.

Joe Sinicropi and Tom Acciavatti unfortunately met in the same bracket, and Joe could not get past the surging Tom. Frank Rich also fell before the final match, but both players deserve recognition for extremely strong showings.

Chris Smith and Tom Acciavatti both advanced to the final match in their respective brackets. Chris got off to a slow start, and could not gain the ground necessary to finish his fight for first place. Congratulations to Chris, for a noteworthy journey to the finals. Tom again showed his mettle by staying focused and securing the victory and entry onto a much larger stage.

Congratulations to Rack ‘em Up 2 (Joe Sinicropi) and Off the Wall (Frank Majewski), champions of the 2009 Summer session Wednesday night Double Jeopardy division. Both teams played each other in both the 8-ball and 9-ball Session Finals.

Rack ‘em Up 2, 1st place in the division standings in 9-ball, captured the 8-Ball trophies by defeating Off the Wall 3-2. Emily Smith stayed sharp and provided her team a key victory in her match against  Frank Majewski.

Off the Wall, 1st place in 8-ball during the session, won the 9-ball playoffs in a tight match against Rack ‘em Up 2.

In a fitting twist, 9-ball session winners Rack ‘em Up 2 won the 8-ball trophies, while 8-ball session winners Off the Wall won the 9-ball championship.

Brian Mason who played out of Diamond Eight on the “Intimid8ers” Sunday night team, has passed away at the age of 62. Brian was great to talk to and fun to compete against. He had a great attitude about winning and losing that set an example for the rest of the league. Words cannot express our sadness, and our hearts break for his family and friends. Please share your thoughts in the comments. More information, and express your condolences with Brian’s family, at the Times Union site.