BCA Hall of Famer passes away at 89

ARTHUR CRANFIELD: 1915 - 2004

Arthur "Babe" Cranfield, of Syracuse, New York, passed away o­n Sunday, October 31, 2004, at the age of 89. Born into the sport as the son of a room owner in Buffalo, NY, he was introduced to billiards at an early age and practiced constantly for free - an advantage that combined with a natural aptitude to produce an unusual talent. He was giving exhibitions at 10 years of age and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1997, at 81.

Mr. Cranfield was the o­nly person ever to have won the US Junior, the US Amateur Championship three consecutive times (1938, 1939, 1940) and the World's Professional Championship (1964). He won the New York City and National Junior titles at age 15, breaking previous high run records. In the 1930's, he attended Cornell University to study agricultural techniques that might benefit the family fruit farm in Hudson, NY. His studies were cut short when he accepted an offer to tour the country performing billiard exhibitions for the National Billiard Program, which he did for five years.

He interrupted his promising career to enlist in the Army Air Corps in 1942 to serve during World War II. After completing that service, "Babe" returned to billiards, appearing frequently in the World Tournament rankings. He took the world straight pool title from Luther Lassiter in 1964, making him the first left-handed champion since Alfredo de Oro (1913).

Well-known for being a gentleman, Mr. Cranfield spent his professional life in the music industry, working for the Muzak Corp. (formerly Davis Distribution) for 40 years and becoming its Vice President of Sales. But he always found time to promote the game of pocket billiards and authored two books o­n the topic, The Straight Pool Bible and Essential Pool, with longtime friend Lawrence Moy. He was also recognized as a member of the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.

To view Arthur Cranfield's Hall of Fame achievements, please visit the BCA website at www.bca-pool.com [follow links to Industry > Hall of Fame (1997)]. To contact the family, offer condolences or arrange contributions, please see the Cranfield guestbook at www.burnsgarfield.com/display.asp?id=113.

Arthur "Babe" Cranfield