Welcome to Minnesota's own straight pool league.

September 11, 2009
Why a straight pool association and league? As I make this organization a reality, I wonder that myself. I discovered the game in 2006, and very soon after was intrigued by it. It's not the fast action, quick paced game of 8 or 9 ball, which is what most pool league tournaments are. This is a game of skill, precision, knowledge of the cue ball and being mentally strong. There is no hard smash break, even the break shots are controlled and set up in 14.1.

So, again, why create the MNSPA? When I started frequenting pool halls in the northern metro, I would maybe see players in a straight pool match once every week or so. Now, I see it quite a bit more than that, hopefully in part because of the work of the MNSPA.

My goal with this association is to try and bring pool's premier game back to the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Bar box 8-ball and 9-ball seem to be dominating the competitive scene in the Minnesota as far as pocket billiard tourneys and leagues are concerned. Hopefully, this league provides a format in which players can learn the intricacies of the game, pass on knowledge, socialize with other straight pool players, and play 14.1 in a respectful environment (all on a traditional nine foot table in good working condition).

The MNSPA was founded in 2007, after a year of complaining to everyone that would listen, that there was nowhere to participate in organized 14.1 competition in the Twin Cities area (unless you happened to know someone at 3M). In addition, we are looking at expanding our reach to the "other" cue games of one pocket, 3-cushion.

The MNSPA offers several divisions to compete in. There will be multiple divisions at three locations:
* Mondays & Tuesdays - 7:00PM - Jimmy's Pro Billiards in Columbia Heights, MN
* Saturdays - 1:00PM - Two Stooges Bar & Grill in Fridley, MN
* Sundays - Shooter's Billiard Club in Burnsville, MN

The MNSPA is affiliated with 5 separate divisions, and administers 4 flights, each tailored to a specific type of player. Please note that the Shooter's league is not run by the MNSPA.

All leagues will begin between October 5th and 10th.

* Flight 1 - Intermediate/Advanced - Mondays @ Jimmy's - For players who have the ability to string multiple racks together, with an occasional high run from the 10's to the 50's. MNSPA Handicapping. $65
* Flight 2 - 14and1 Open - Saturday's @ Two Stooges - Open division for all, provides 14and1.com sanctioning and handicap system. $75 includes 14and1 sanctioning fee.
* Flight 3 - Beginners - Mondays @ Jimmy's - For the player whose high run is between 5-15 and great for learning the game. MNSPA Handicapping. $50
* Flight 4 - Masters - Tuesdays @ Jimmy's - Lightly handicapped league. All players welcome. Matches will be to 75, 100, or 125. $70
* Sundays @ Shooters - Please email Joel Lovrencevic - jlovrencevic@digitalriver.com for more details.

MNSPL details:

* Handicapped play using a custom MNSPA system and the 14and1.com system.
* BCA World Standardized Rules, cue fouls only
* One match scheduled per week.
* Green fees are the player's responsibility (Stooges - $8.50 day special, Jimmy's - $10 night special).
* League fees are due on the first week of play (if you have difficulty paying in full, please contact me to work something out).
* No other weekly fees beyond table time.
* We accept credit cards & PayPal for registrations.
* 14and1.com sanctioning available on Saturdays at Two Stooges.
* Automatic qualification to the MN ASPC (MN Annual Straight Pool Championship)
* This is a singles league, there are no alternates or teams.
* If you are going to miss a match, at least 24 hours notice must be given to your opponent.
* Keep track of your high runs, there will be a high run prize at the end of the season.
* League fees to be awarded back as prizes (minus the operating costs of the MNSPA and entries to ASPC).
* Eligibile for Minnesota Straight Pool Association pool clinics, instruction, tournaments, and table time specials.

Changes from previous MNSPA seasons:

* 14and1.com sanctioning. The top two players from each division are eligible for entry to the yearly national tournament in Atlantic City.
* Top finishing players from each league gain free entry to the MN ASPC.
* All players will qualify for the MN ASPC.
* Returning to the old MNSPA handicapping system for 3 of the divisions.
* Prizes will be awarded for the flight high run, and will pay out to the top 2 or 3 places (depending upon the number of players).
* Lowered the price on the beginner's and 14and1.com divisions.
* Reorganized all divisions and added a Master level bracket.

Several Straight Pool Associations have switched to 14and1.com for a national SPL format. For more information about 14and1.com, including the national tournament, please visit their website.

I'm not doing this to make money, but to spread the game of straight pool and increase sportsmanship and excellence within our sport and in the billiard community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

I would like to take the time to thank Rich Anderson, Avsar Aras, Jimmy Wetch, Dennis Green, Kevin Vidal, Demetrius Jelatis, Mike Fieldhammer, Bob Jewett, Samm Diep, David "Blackjack" Sapolis, operators of other leagues, and my fellow 14.1 players for their assistance with the MNSPA!

To register online, please click here


About Matt Lind, founder of the Minnesota Straight Pool Association:

Ever seen a man of a larger stature, with long dark curly hair and glasses, speaking with an Iron Ranger accent, playing a game of straight pool in the northern metro? That's probably me. I began playing pool seriously shortly after becoming a Minneapolis "smoking ban refugee" to Anoka County in late 2005. When I'm not playing pool, I'm either working at CCNow, playing 3-cushion at the Minneapolis Billiards Club, curling at the SPCC, drumming for my band Stress Position, attempting to converse in Turkish & Finnish, or wasting time on my Facebook account.

Yes, I know straight pool has a safety break.
yes I know this is an 8-ball break...on a dreadful bar box no less.