Challenges of a Young Pool Player: International, both gave significant help to help him reach the Junior Nationals. The 2010 Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Junior Nationals was in Illinois. He learned more about competing and what pool was about. Chris ended up 7/8th, and for not knowing what to expect, did very respectable for his first time. He witnessed what other young players were capable of, and he felt he could match it. He signed up with Cascade Pool League, the local BCAPL league, and qualified to attend events. His league play was exceptional, and he won a league award for his high winning percentage. Chris moved on to play in one of the most prestigious regional tournaments in the country, the Western BCA Regional Championships. In the 8-ball tournament, he went through a very good field of regional masters and got 2nd place in singles, losing to Damian Pongpanik. His team finished in 3rd place. It was the first real money he had ever won in a tournament. His young age, 16, brought him attention from the adult participants. BCAPL Nationals in May 2011 was a big ordeal, and preparing for the trip, competitively and financially, was a task. In addition, Chris had to manage his schoolwork to be gone for that length of time. The biggest event in the world was an eye opener for young Chris. He started out slow by cashing 9th-12th in 9 ball Open Singles. He did much better in the next event, 8-ball singles, where he earned 2nd place. For being one shot away from double dipping a Texas champion, Mike Alonzo, and winning a national singles title, he did very well. It was the most prize money of his young career. His team (pictured above), which included mentors
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20 The Break - October 2011
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Todd Gooch and Andrew Monstis, claimed 1st place in the 3-man 9-Ball team event. Chris had his first National Championship. He spent a lot of time watching the US Open where many of the pros were playing. It was a trip, and experience, he is not likely to ever forget. He is eager for more. Chris got another invitation to attend the July 2011 Junior Nationals. Excited to try again, he had a desire for a chance at a scholarship. He could also make a team to represent the United States at the Junior Internationals. Chris fell short and came in 7th/8th again. A little disappointed that he didn’t do better, he recognized there are other very talented young players his age. Chris is in the upper echelon of current young players across the country, and is hoping to make the big time. Some have given him the nickname “The Devastator”, which reflects how some feel after playing him. Chris Byers is considered one of the top homegrown young talented pool players to come out of the Portland metropolitan area. It is an honor to be mentioned with other homegrown teenage pool legends of the past 45 years like Frank Armstrong, David Rhodes and Leo Newberry. He wants to develop to be better with his pool game and his character. Chris has some uphill battles. The hometown pool arena is not thriving in recent years as it once was. The excellence of pool as a sport has lost its compass in promoting a higher level of play. There is little to no action. Players are rarely matching up and there are no open tournaments. It has succumbed to what some call a B player mentality. A lot of the industry emphasis has been on the bulk of recreational players and making a buck. It’s probably good for the sport in some ways, but little support exists to strengthen the above-average and top local players. It is hard for Chris to advance his skills. There are no tournaments that he can play in, no action. All the tournaments are for adult players and money driven. He understands he needs to advance with more experience to be part of the higher level of the sport. He would love to have players to play and to have action to be a part of. Chris has to travel many miles to be allowed to compete, not because he is too good, but to be part of a genuine pool environment. It takes resources like a car and money, and is expensive to get out of town to obtain pool experiences. Traveling distances to pool tournaments and juggling going to high school is really problematic. He knows he needs to finish high school to pursue his passion. His pool options are limited. He has to wait until he is an adult to be able to excel. He might also have to consider moving to another area of the country where pool is thriving. He would have to attend a new high school just to be able to pursue the sport of pool without major travel. He could take on the task to positively cultivate a change in the local pool attitude. It is possible for him to take it on, but as a teenager he will have a hard time doing it alone. It would take time and would be a real learning experience, and maturing process, too. Chris will be an adult some day and much of this will be behind him. Chris wants to get a drivers license and get a car, what kid doesn’t. Chris loves video games and playing basketball. He has aspirations to go to college and become a health professional. He has a desire to be a pharmacist or a nurse. Growing up is demanding; understanding and experiencing the trials and rights-of-passage is key. It is a task to try to stay calm, cool and collected. He will have to deal with new challenges, discover who his real friends are, and show appreciation for those who have helped him. He will have to learn the “Rule of the Road of Life”. No one knows what the future will hold for Chris Byers. It’s hard for him to imagine himself doing something other than playing pool right now, except basketball. Maybe Chris can make a difference in the local pool scene. He could wisely help promote and develop pool, and restore its excellence in his hometown and even beyond. It is this author’s hope that, down the road, he will not only be known for being a great pool player, but also a well-rounded, fine young man.
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