That's What I'm Talking About-Man of Steele

That's What I'm Talking AboutBy Keith McCreadyMan of Steele When I was a youngster, my older brothers would spend hours with wooden Lincoln Logs, re-creating the Wild West, but my interests kept me in the basement on our bumper pool table, firing balls in at warp speed against imaginary opponents. Recognizing that his youngest son had a propensity for pool, my dad sought to nurture my interests and enhance my abilities, and what better place than the neighborhood billiard parlor with those who held the same passion and love for the game.Not long ago, I was playing in a regional tournament near my home in D.C., and between matches, a tall, silver-haired gentleman from Pennsylvania approached me. Very polished and articulate, his memory was remarkably accurate at the age of 69. He reminded me of the first time he saw me play in California when I had to use metal hair clips to hold back my long bangs. Don Steele, a strong player then and now, had continued his pool journey into the autumn of his life. We're both old-school players, and there was a sense of irony when the tournament director announced our names as the match on the next available table.The last time I had played a legend, it was Luther Lassiter, and when Don won the lag, I saw a little "Wimpy" in his eyes, a spirit of unconquerable freedom and very worthy of respect. The match seesawed back and forth, with the turning point coming right before the hill-hill. I choked on the 8 ball, which ended up frozen on the end rail, leaving a long shot. This is an old-time campaigner shot, and with Don's knowledge of the game, I knew he was going to pocket it without hesitation. And that he did, with perfect execution. Shots like these separate the lions from the lambs.As shown in the illustration, the location of the 8 ball with respect to the cue ball and corner pocket forms a 90-degree angle, looking to some darn near impossible. Aim downward on the cue ball at about 8 o'clock and apply as much spin as you can generate, making contact with rail and then spinning the cue into the object ball, walking it down the rail into the corner pocket.I have had better results by placing my hand farther back towards the butt end of the cue and then spinning the stick a little to find my balance, because it gives me a longer stroke. This is a "feel" shot. Lengthening your stroke will give you the ability to generate enough english to produce the necessary spin. The object ball will hug the rail and go in like Grant got Richmond. With the appropriate speed, the cue ball will come down table and bounce off the back rail, leaving perfect shape on the 9 ball. Practice at a shorter distance until you are at ease with the ball speed in tandem with your stroke. When you develop a level of comfort and smoothness, you, too, will not hesitate to get up and shoot it in with authority.There are countless players, legends, and roadsters, many of whom never make the headlines, but all the same are an integral part of the fabric that makes up the history and culture of our pool world. Some of these unsung heroes receive little recognition, but their actions touch the lives of others and continue the legacy of the sport. Today, Don Steele is the owner of an upscale, clean, and friendly poolroom outside of Pittsburgh, much like the one from my youth. Winners may not always be those at the top of charts, but those who have come the farthest over the toughest roads have a wealth of knowledge to share. Visit InsidePOOL for the latest tips and instructions in billiards and pool.

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