2 year old pool prodigy a real 'shark' in the making

May 21, 2009 - 4:24 PM

Jerry Gretzinger

More guppy than shark, Keith O'Dell Jr. is still new at the game of pool.

Of course he is.  He's just 25 months old. But the tender age and innocent face all part of this toddler's

hustle.

He's not only good for his age.  He's better than some people 10 times his age.

Anchor and reporter Jerry Gretzinger asks Keith's dad, "When did you first discover he had a knack for

playing pool?"

"It was right around christmastime," Keith Sr. says.

He says he and his wife love to shoot pool and their son always saw them play at home. Still, they were a

little surprised when "Keithy" asked for his own table.

"Keith found a small 36 inch pool table and we said there is no way we are getting this for you" dad

recalls.

But keith persisted and got the table, though he quickly lost interest in his new toy.

It wasn't challenging enough.

Like any 2 year old, Keith sometimes loses his focus, but when this kid is on his game it's almost hard to

believe.

"I find myself saying that a lot," says Keith Sr.  "You've got to be kdding me."

Already being called "the child prodigy" and "the Tiger Woods of pool"... Keith Jr. is racking up some

celebrity status. He's already filmed a commerical for the American Poolplayers Association, been featured

 in 2 national billiards magazines, and is about to appear on some national daytime talk shows. Dad, a

semi-pro player himself, says he didn't see the big deal at first.

That is, until Jr. beat him.

"Beat me in the rack of 9 ball," he admits, "and I said I am never playing 9 ball with him ever again."

Is he hoping Keith Jr. will be the Tiger Woods of pool?

"Maybe, eventually, hopefully," he says.  "We're treating him like a normal kid we dont want that to get

out of hand."

 

Link to Video:

 

http://www.cbs6albany.com/video/?bcpid=1137806146&bclid=1143371293&bctid=23960002001