Once again, our friends Chris and Ann Smith returned to Diamond Eight from “across the pond” (England) to sponsor the Trans-Atlantic Challenge II! The field of 12 players formed into 6 scotch doubles teams to compete in the double-elimination format. Chris and Ann were the early favorites, but were sent to the 1-loss side by Amanda and Brian who took advantage of a few bad rolls.

Chris and Ann were able to bounce back after a challenging match against 3rd place finishers John Stock and his nephew Shane. The match went to the hill, with the 7-8-9 left for John and Shane. Shane made a nice shot to pocket the 7, but left John a long cut shot on the 8. John made a great shot to pocket the 8, but the cue ball found its way into the corner pocket, and gave ball-in-hand on the 9 to Ann, who made it to win the match.

In the meantime, Amanda DeCelle and Brian Struwe got through their bracket without losing a match to set up the final rematch with Ann and Chris.

Having barely survived the previous match, Ann and Chris lost a little steam and Amanda and Brian were able to pull ahead to a 4-1 victory to stay undefeated, win the match and earn the tournament championship.

Congrats and thanks to all the teams for a great afternoon!

Thanks to an overwhelmingly positive response, we are extending this great deal Four players on one table for only $20 per hour! Five players? $20 per hour! Six players? How about $20 per hour! That’s right, four or more players on one table is $20 per hour! See you soon!

Congratulations to Rich Kriz, longtime league member at Diamond Eight, who edged out Ed Littell to win the 2011 Summer Flight of the 14and1.com Straight Pool league by 1 point. Rich finished with 57 points, with Ed coming in second with 56. Both players are now qualified for the 2011 14and1.com National Championships, to be held at Diamond Eight Billiards over the September 24th weekend. Ron Palka made a strong showing at 3rd place, with 52 points and Frank Bogardus rounded out the top 4 with 48 points.

The final standings:

1. Rich Kriz (57)
2. Ed Littell (56)
3. Ron Palka (52)
4. Frank Bogardus (48)
5. Ed Skawinski (47)
6. Ernie Mumford (41)
7. Jerry Argay (32)

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.

The Spring 2011 edition of Diamond Eight’s 14and1.com Straight Pool league has come to a close, with 1st place going to Mike Fitch, in a very competitive field. Arkley Mastro was able to take second place by just one point over an impressive Ernie Mumford, who was playing in his very first straight pool league. Ed Skawinski followed in fourth place, while Frank Bogardus and Doug Shaffer rounded out the field in a tie for 5th.

In addition to their cash prizes, both Mike and Arkley have also qualified for the 2011 14and1.com Straight Pool Championship, to be held at Diamond Eight starting September 24th.

Final Standings

• 1. Mike Fitch (71)
• 2. Arkley Mastro (63)
• 3. Ernie Mumford (62)
• 4. Ed Skawinski (60)
• 5. (tie)Frank Bogardus (52)
• 5. (tie) Doug Shaffer (52)

The next Straight Pool flight takes off Thursday, April 28th!

Although Diamond Eight regular Tom Acciavatti did not get very far in the main Joss Northeast 9-Ball tournament held on March 19-20, 2011, he was almost perfect in the Second Chance tournament held on Sunday. Tom went 18-1, losing only 1 rack in his journey to 1st place through the 19-player field. Nice shooting Tom! Congrats!

You can read more about the main event and the second chance tourney at azbilliards.com.

Our friend and fellow league player Dave “Frosty” Wallace has passed away at the early age of 42. Known as Frosty to his dear friends, Dave started his pool league career at Diamond Eight Billiards and had aspirations to become a professional pocket billiards player. He always managed to be competitive at the table while retaining his good nature. When his team entered the playoffs as a wild card and won the session championships in the summer of 2008, he could not have been more happy or more proud. He took his love of pool and the APA pool league to a new level when he became an APA League Representative in 2009. His numerous “Quick Sticks” teams became a force to be reckoned with each and every session. We have all been influenced by Frosty’s gentle spirit and kindness, and will never forget him and his infectious smile.

Ben Dobert of Troy has won 20 hours of free table time! As part of Diamond Eight’s 20th Anniversary, anyone who signed up for the Diamond Eight e-mail club was entered into a drawing for 20 hours of free pool. The drawing was held during the 2010 Toys for Tots tournament and Ben “BennyCool” Dobert was the lucky winner. Congrats Ben! Said Ben when he found out he won, “Wow. That’s great. And I really need the practice!”

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!

Diamond Eight’s annual Toys for Tots Tournament is set for Saturday, December 3. This 9-Ball Scotch Doubles tournament benefits the Albany Regional Toys for Tots program, as run by the local Marine Corps. Practice at Noon, play at 1pm!

• Doors open at Noon for practice, sign up by 12:30 pm, and play begins at 1:00 pm
• Entry Fee: $15 and a toy or $25 (per person, toy must be new & unwrapped)
• Scotch Doubles (partners alternate shots not turns)
• “Semi-Random” Draw for Partners. You can also choose a partner if deemed handicaps are fairly equal.
• Modified Single Elimination, Race to 3 (play at least two team matches). Call the 9-ball to win.
• Cash prizes, determined by number of entries

All skill levels are welcome. Everyone is invited! Free buffet with donation! Raffles and lots of fun!