Joseph (Joe) Balsis (born 1921,

Minersville, Pennsylvania Minersville is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. Anthracite coal deposits are plentiful in the region. The population was 4,388 at the 2020 census. Minersville is located west of Allentown, northwest of Philadelphia, a ...

, died January 2, 1995, Minersville), nicknamed "the Meatman", was an American professional

pool Pool may refer to: Water pool * Swimming pool, usually an artificial structure containing a large body of water intended for swimming * Reflecting pool, a shallow pool designed to reflect a structure and its surroundings * Tide pool, a rocky po ...

player, who was inducted into the

Billiard Congress of America The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) is the governing body for cue sports in the United States and Canada, and the regional member organization of the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).` Puerto Rico, though a US territory, and Mexico, though ...

's Hall of Fame in 1982."Hall of Fame Inductees, 1977-84"
, Billiards Congress of America, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; accessed February 2, 2007

Career

Early life

Joe grew up playing in the

billiard room A billiard room (also billiards room, or more specifically pool room, snooker room) is a recreation room, such as in a house or recreation center, with a billiards, pool or snooker table. (The term "billiard room" or "pool room" may also be us ...

of his father, John, whose business was in the sale of meat. At an early, Balsis was deemed skilled enough by age 11 to play

exhibition match An exhibition game (also known as a friendly, a scrimmage, a demonstration, a preseason game, a warmup match, or a preparation match, depending at least in part on the sport) is a sporting event whose prize money and impact on the player's or ...

es against professional players including

Andrew Ponzi Andrew Ponzi (January 20, 1903–April 11, 1950) was an American pool player and world champion. Biography Andrew Ponzi was born Andrew D'Allesandro in Philadelphia. As a boy, he injured his right hand as a result of a trolley mishap. He wen ...

and

Erwin Rudolph Erwin Rudolph (December 30, 1893 - May 19, 1957) was an American pocket billiards player from Cleveland, Ohio and a five-time world champion. One of his great feats was running 125 points in 32 minutes (now eclipsed). Biography Rudolph was born ...

. When in his teens, he won four consecutive annual junior titles, then left the game and joined the

Coast Guard A coast guard or coastguard is a maritime security organization of a particular country. The term embraces wide range of responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to ...

as a boat machinist for several years during pool's temporary decline. In 1944, he took up competition again, winning the Armed Services Champion title.

Professional career

Balsis rejoined the game in 1964 Balsis, where he began to compete professionally. The following year, he won the

World Straight Pool Championship The World Straight Pool Championship is a pool competition, that was held up until the game of Nine-ball became popularized in America. It was the most prestigious straight pool tournament up until the early 21st century, tournaments like the Amer ...

twice and once in 1966. He won the Johnston City All-Around Championship, in 1966. Balsis would then win back-to-back titles at both the 1968 and 1969 Stardust Open All-Around Championship as well as the All Japan Championship Straight Pool in 1969. Between 1966 and 1975 Balsis reached the final of the U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship on five occasions, where he would win twice (1968 & 1974).

Titles

* 1965 BRPAA

* 1965 National Billiards News Achievement Award * 1966 Johnston City Straight Pool Championship * 1966 Johnston City All-Around Championship * 1966 BRPAA

* 1966 U.S Invitation Pocket Billiard Championship * 1967 Culver City Straight Pool Invitational * 1967 Eastern States Straight Pool Championship * 1968 Stardust Open Straight Pool Championship * 1968 Stardust Open All-Around Championship * 1968 U.S. Masters Straight Pool Championship * 1968 U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship * 1969 Stardust Open 9-Ball Championship * 1969 Stardust Open All-Around Championship * 1969 All Japan Championship 14.1 * 1971 Stardust Open Straight Pool Championship * 1974 U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship * 1982

Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame This is the list of people inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's hall of fame to honour outstanding people who, through their competitive skills and dedication, have enriched the sport and industry. Two categories have been established in ...

References

American pool players 1921 births 1995 deaths People from Minersville, Pennsylvania {{US-pool-bio-stub