Rasmussen Shines Again at Strokers in Palm Harbor

Niki Rasmussen overcame a 3rd round loss and battled through the one-loss side to win the TiGER Bay Area Amateur Tour (BAAT) tournament at Strokers Billiards in Palm Harbor, FL, on July 24th. She is the tour's second repeat winner this year, topping the field of 24 players in the $500-added event.

The 9th place tie was shared by Bettina Chase, Jessica Barnes, Christine Brenner, and Sabra MacArthur Beahn. Each received prize bags of gifts, thanks to tour sponsors.

7th place was shared by tour regular Connie Mago and Heather Platter, who joined the tour last month. Both players showed exceptional fortitude by fighting through the one-loss side after 1st round shutout losses! Way to go, ladies! Each received $50 for their efforts.

Opponents in the next round were Kelly Cavanaugh vs. Shanelle Loraine and Tour Director Stephanie Mitchell against Rasmussen. Cavanaugh and Mitchell had been sent to the one-loss side by the same player, newcomer Chris Fields! Both seemed to run out of steam during this round, as Cavanaugh was defeated 4-0 and Mitchell lost 5-1. Each won $75 in prize money for their 5th place finishes.

The quarter-final match featured Loraine and Rasmussen. Rasmussen had found herself out of the tournament after the quarter-final match in the last BAAT tournament when she lost a hill-hill struggle. Once again she went hill-hill, but this time she prevailed, winning with a score of 7-3 in the handicapped format. Loraine ended up with 4th place and $150.

Rasmussen's win in the quarter-finals proved to be a double win, as her semi-final opponent Fields was feeling ill and had to forfeit, launching Rasmussen into the final round! Congratulations to Fields for taking 3rd place and $175 in her first BAAT tournament!

In the hot seat and waiting for her final round opponent was Virginia Billie. Billie joined the tour during the last BAAT tournament, and she was now poised to win in the true double-elimination format! Her trip to the hot seat had included a 4-2 win over Rasmussen earlier in the day and she was ready to strike again. She started out the match by winning the first game of 9-ball. During the following games, fatigue showed in both players as the games went multiple innings. Conquering her fatigue, Rasmussen showed determination by taking the next five games of 9-ball and one game of 8-ball to win the first set 6-1.

This forced the second set, with Rasmussen winning the first game of 9-ball and Billie taking the second. Rasmussen bounced back, winning the next three games, before Billie took the final game of 9-ball. The score was now Rasmussen 4 and Billie 2, each needing two games to win the 6-4 race. The next game was 8-ball, and after another multiple inning game, Rasmussen took the game and the hill. Reaching the hill must have given her a burst of energy, as she broke and ran the last game of 8-ball to win the match and the tournament! Rasmussen made $300 for her strong finish, while Billie took home $225 and 2nd place.

Thanks to all of the players for a great tournament and for your good sportsmanship!

Thanks also to Jose DelRio, owner of Strokers Billiards, and his staff members for providing a great location for the tournament. Thanks also to our sponsors, including: Tiger Products, Lucasi Hybrid, Sterling Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Ray Martin, Nick Varner, Strokeitwear.com, Robertson Billiard Supplies, Tweeten Fiber, Billiard Scoop, and Sports Rock, for making it possible for BAAT to give gifts to players, fans, and room owners.

Caso Repeats

Kim Caso has the distinction of being the first repeat winner in 2010 for the TiGER Bay Area Amateur Tour (BAAT), topping the record-breaking field of 30 players on May 22nd. The $500-added tournament was held at Stix Billiards in Palm Harbor, FL.

Tied for 9th place and receiving prize bags with gifts from sponsors were Bettina Chase, Keva Hevener, Margie Soash, and Sabra MacArthur Beahn.

Of the several newcomers welcomed to the tour, Virginia Billie made the money by coming in 7th. Following a first round loss to Jessica Barnes, Billie battled her way through several matches including two shutouts before succumbing once again to Barnes. Tying with Billie was Sis Tarver who has played in several BAAT tournaments, having joined the tour shortly after it's inception in 2008. Both received $50 for 7th place.

"You can't win the game if you don't step up to BAAT."

Kelly Cavanaugh's 5th place finish was hard-fought, having lost her second round match hill-hill to Barnes, then going to the hill two more times over the next several matches, with the third hill match ending in a loss to Niki Rasmussen. Cavanaugh has been a force to reckon with this year as she has had two 2nd place finishes! In a tie for 5th was Rachel Delaney, who has also made her mark by winning her first BAAT tournament as a newcomer in January. Cavanaugh and Delaney took home $75 for their efforts.

Squaring off in the quarter-final match were Rasmussen and Barnes. Rasmussen always proves to be a formidable opponent, having won three BAAT tournaments during the last seven months! Barnes has had her share of success, winning a BAAT tournament earlier this year, and having been the first BAAT champion ever in January of 2008! The fight to advance was a grudge match as Rasmussen had sent Barnes to the one-loss side in the third round. Rasmussen showed early determination by making it to the hill with Barnes needing three more games, but Barnes wouldn't fold and she won the match. Rasmussen earned $150 for her 4th place finish.

Barnes faced off against Caso in the semi-final match. It had been a long day for both players, and Barnes showed her will to win by striking first blood. The match see-sawed for the next four games, but with Barnes ahead 3-2, Caso kicked into gear and won two more games and the match with a score of 4-3 in the handicapped format. Barnes left the tournament with 3rd place and $200.

Sitting in the hot seat was Deanna Foster, who had prevailed in three hill-hill matches and sent Caso to the one-loss side with a 5-1 score. Both players were ready for battle and were determined to be the next BAAT champion. Foster jumped out of the starting gate by winning the first game of 9-ball. Caso answered with a string of three wins, but Foster wasn't giving in and she took the final game of 9-ball in the match. Next was 8-ball, and Caso took revenge on Foster by winning the first game of 8-ball and the match with a score of 4-2.

The true double-elimination tournament would see one more round. In the second final round match, Caso was riding the crest, winning the first two games of 9-ball. Foster held on by taking the third game, but Caso was unwavering, winning the last two games of 9-ball and her second BAAT championship! Caso's 1st place finish earned her $350. Foster took home $275 and was thrilled with 2nd place, her best BAAT finish yet!

Thanks go out to Tom George, owner of Stix Billiards, and his staff members, for providing a great location for the tournament. Thanks also to our sponsors, including: Tiger Products, Lucasi Hybrid, Sterling Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Ray Martin, Nick Varner, Strokeitwear.com, Robertson Billiard Supplies, Tweeten Fiber, Billiard Scoop, and Sports Rock, for making it possible for BAAT to give gifts to players, fans, and room owners.