Founders, Reps, and Players

“I want to be an inventor” are the words Reed spoke when he was little. Since then, Reed has done just that. He is known for his ability to universally create and bring ideas to life. From shooting, editing and producing his own films (with actual film) in the ‘90’s that gained a cult following and inspired the world’s top mountain bike trials athletes, to being a rally car driver, to unearthing the perfect line on a dirt bike trail, Reed has a creative eye like nobody else.

After playing league pool for years with this same creative eye, Reed recognized a need for a new way to find players and meet new competition. It was on his 1890 Brunswick Balke Collender table after a night of league play that the idea for Salotto first saw the light of day. Reed’s ability to see things differently and solve any challenge is an unmatched key component of our team.

It was a late Tuesday night in co-founder Reed Merschat’s basement leaning over the table for a post-league 8 Ball session. In mid stroke, Frontiero said: “What if there was a better way to find a game of pool, like an app to connect players and keep stats?”.

The concept of Salotto was born late that night in January 2018. Immensely dedicated to performance, perseverance and an American Ninja Warrior top 10 finalist, Frontiero fanned the flame of Salotto until it became a reality. A competitive pool player, world class climber, expert cyclist, educator, fund-raiser and unbridled dream chaser, Frontiero is a component for success.

Ty comes from a hard working family in the heart of Wyoming. He brings that hard work and heart right to the pool table where he’s a fearless tactician. Blowers has stood up to and beaten the best in the world (Shane VanBoening, Corey Duel, Tyler Styer etc.) proving his unshakable resolve. Ty is still only 19 but his ability extends far beyond his year.

Currently sponsored by Mike Curby Custom Cues, Salotto is proud to welcome this young man to the Salotto Pro team. Having played in multiple US open and pro events with good showings, we’re confident in his ability to perform on the table. What’s more is that he’s a good person with integrity and the ability to stand on his own. Salotto is proud to welcome Ty to the pro team!

Nick De Leon was raised in Phoenix Arizona and currently resides in Gilbert, AZ. Nick’s spent most of his life in the Valley of the Sun but travels world-wide to play pool. At thirty-eight years old, he’s living a blessed life with two children and a career that gives him purpose. He recently married the woman of his dreams, Dori, who’s also an outstanding pool player. Between work and family life, Nick’s billiard career remained a latent passion, but there are no regrets about taking time for family. That experience helped shape Nick into the man you see today, a true professional and open-arms ambassador to the sport. With Dori’s full support and motivation, Nick is in chase the next chapter of his story, a Billiard Professional. He has what it takes.

Joining the team from England, world champion Darren “Dynamite” Appleton is a household name in pool around the world. Appleton is a passionate player carving his way into the indelible ranks of pool with both 8 and 9 Ball World Championship titles, Multiple Mosconi Cup championships and World 10 Ball Championship. It’s hard to love pool as much as Darren does, he’s a formidable opponent in any game, and has a heart of gold. Catch him off the table and he’s always willing to help a player get better or have fun. Appleton is hard working, and professional in competition. His coaching and original video content are awesome. Salotto is proud to have him representing the brand. He stands for what is good in pool and aims to have the sport grow like few do.

Quite a few professional players will tell you they felt some sort of unexplainable gravitation to the pool table and their ability to seemingly forget the world around them while they played. For Blaine it was no different. He started playing when he was about 16 years old and fell in love with its endless possibilities and inability to be mastered. He’s now been playing pool roughly 16 years and resides in Houston, TX with his wife Michelle and their two children. Outside of playing pool (or maybe still inside) Blaine is also a table mechanic in the Houston area. Blaine is looking forward to the future of pool and is optimistic its best years are ahead. The game is growing, and Salotto is proud to welcome Blaine to the team.

I‘m Daniel Schneider from Switzerland and currently live in San Antonio, TX. I grew up in Bern (capitol of Switzerland) and now live with my wife and kids in San Antonio since late 2019. Pool has been a very big part of my life since I turned 11 years old. My dad showed my brother and I what a pool table was during a family vacation and that‘s when we got “hooked“ with this awesome cue sport. I was lucky enough to be around some great supporters and coaches in my junior years while I dedicated as much time as possible into pool. When I was 16 of age I achieved my first bronze medal at the Juniors European Championships which was followed by a runner-up place the year after. This got me qualified for the Juniors World Championships in 2013 where I was able to finish with another bronze medal (3rd place). After my strong junior years I transitioned into the Men‘s Pool-World and finish a couple of times in the last 16 of the Men European Championships.

Besides these international achievements I have recorded over 15 medals at the National Swiss Championships in Juniors, Men and Teams competition.

My business/professional education and background is in Human Resources. Besides playing pool I love spending time with my family and enjoy working out in nature.

I am happy to be part of the Salotto Pro Team because I see the quality in the product and the Team that works behind it. Further I am supported by Predator Cues, Kamui Tips and Brutal Game Gear.

I believe there is a lot to come in pool and I‘m excited to see where my journey will go.

The future of pool is here and her name is Savannah Easton AKA Road Runner. Salotto is happy to announce this sponsorship with a fresh WPBA member, fierce competitor and young ambassador for the sport. Savannah has won or been on the podium in many open events far beyond her years. She’s been featured on TV shows and news programs highlighting her ability and passion.

Playing players heads up and a willingness to challenge anyone (even Jayson Shaw) to a set. She plays well under pressure and thrives on competition. Give Savannah a follow – enjoy her enthusiasm, skill and energy for pool! BEEP BEEP!

Salotto is pleased to welcome D’angelo “Jawz” Spain to the family. Hailing from Maryland, this young player has the passion and work ethic well beyond his years. Pool is growing right now and it’s because young players are choosing to work hard, get good, and win. At Salotto our goal is to help people play more pool and having Jawz on the scene with us is a prime example of our mission as a company.

Jawz started playing pool at age 4 when a table showed up at their house. His dad, Frank (a PBIA instructor) was needing to get more table time to reach the next level of his play. Little did Frank know that young D’angelo would soon become the fire lighting the way in his family’s pool journey. The tide soon shifted from Frank practicing to Frank coaching.

Fast forward 7 years and the motivation and momentum have only grown and D’angelo has become a seasoned competitor. Frank is quite a coach. Jawz has been playing several hours a day since and is now one of the most formidable youth players in the country. His humility and guidance are an inspiration to players everywhere.

This young ripper has begun to place high in his events, in fact he recently won the Junior National APA Qualifier and is on a run the world should be paying close attention to as it’s just getting started. He’s ranked number in the U13 boys as of June 2022.

Jawz is also aligned with some of the foremost billiards companies such as Predator, Taom, Center Pocket and Risky Shotz.

Welcome to the team Jawz! It will be fun to watch you best the players you now look up to. It won’t be long!

Chris developed a love for the game when he was 5 years old watching his mom play leagues. The first time he ever picked up a pool cue, he ran four balls and the rest was history! He won his first open 48 player tournament at age 13 further setting the hook in what was soon to be, a lifelong passion. He would have to say my favorite games are 9 ball banks and is developing a new found appreciation for 8 ball. Chris spends his spare time giving lessons, playing tournaments and promoting the sport as much as possible. His cue bag is currently a 2nd gen predator road line with a z2 shaft and a lucasi airhog 2 jump cue that is compatible with the playing cue as a break cue inside. Simple but effective. Please Welcome Chris Smith to Team Salotto. It will be great having him on board helping Salotto find its way into the hands of player who want more out of their game.