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"Once Upon A Time"

The summer officially started on June 21st. Another year, another season. This year is different though. Paddleball as we know it is on a different playing field. It's competing with another one wall sport, with the same rules as it, or the parent sport handball. The difference is the bigger ball and a racquet. With that said. I guess the world is in store for a new and exciting sport.

Funny thing though, the concept is very similar to paddleball. The WOR (World Outdoor Racquetball) group/Organization has brought their version of racquetball to the Northeast. From Paddleballmag's prospective it seems to very popular and players have adapted well. There are still quite a few big ball paddleball players and surprisingly some small ball groups. The word in the Northeast from A-1 Ball is that they have gone through a shipment of  paddleballs already. But they have indicated to us that they will have a full stock in about a week. This will help the small groups like Family Affair with their upcoming three remaining events.

The USPA (United States Paddleball Association) for lack of any better understanding, is quiet. We have not tried to contact Henry Marquez to ask for an understanding. We as a paddleball magazine hope that the organization regroups and will come back and redefine their effort to "promote" the sport of "One Wall Paddleball".

Handball is a different story, We have tried on several fronts to somehow get a handle on who's who, and what is happening in the Northeast. I am sure as I write this someone is saying, how come all the problems are always in the Northeast? Well there not. It's just that the season for outdoor sports is upon us. With that and the different groups agendas it makes for a soap opera of who to follow. But in the handball world the issues are just as common. The smaller handball groups run tournament counter to each other, which in some ways works against the larger groups. The USHA (United States Handball Association) is gearing up for it one wall events in July and August. While other smaller groups  ICHA (Inner City Handball Association) is in swing with it's City wide handball event on June 26th, 2010. Then later in August the SkyBounce Handball Event. But also there are four or five other handball groups around the area that are also having events on the local scene. 

The issue that comes to mind in this month's opinion is and I wasn't going to write about it. Then a funny thing happened due to our Facebook page. Issues and comments become rumors and here say!  The WOR group has a following for several versions of it's brand of racquetball. There common phrase is a simple and true phrase about the different type of equipment and safety gear. But there main difference is that they are outdoor. Which groups them with the three and four wall events. So we understand they are not indoor racquetball, or are they ?

In the Northeast they have their one wall season underway, Mostly events in the Bronx, NY. Orchard Beach. A good traveling distance if you come from Long Island. But that can speak for any of the events that are held. Another issue addressed in the page was some comment / questions written to one of the top paddleball players in country. He is 62 years old. Players of one wall racquetball were concerned about the idea that there are only a few divisions in the sport. Primarily it's considered the "Open Division". Whether it's Open Mixed Doubles, Open Men's Doubles or Open Women's Doubles. The question that several players brought up was that there are no "B" or "C" tournaments. Just Open events. Which we understand limits new players and intermediate players from having any chance at winning.  It is said that there are junior divisions to attract the youth for the sport. We find that to be most incouraging. In five years, they will be the pro's.

The other issue is that if you have a large turn out for your event. There is an organization which takes the credit for the tournament being held. The prize is cash, which no one knows how much in advance. Because it's undetermined, based on the number of players minus some factors. Like tournament expenses. So in fairness the math needs to be done first to prove if there really is an issue of something being wrong. The second thing is to understand what the sponsor if any is providing. Whom ever they may be. So in the nut shell, what bang your getting for your buck.

Some of the questions asked were directed to what the organization brings to the table. The tournament director's should be about to explain to the players whats on the table in each event. Then of course the player can decided if it best for him or her to play in. Remember the "Budweiser One Wall Paddleball Events, City wide and were all free." Seems so long ago. A sponsor provide shirts for the playoffs, then different shirts for the finals. An "man" remember those trophies, wall placques and jackets. Not to mention the new "AF" Marcraft paddles. Oh, sorry, this is one wall racquetball.

This is the second year for the WOR group. Another funny thing, Last year we Paddleballmag open our newsletter to promote their events. We reached out to Benny Bandana and to Aiser Medible in the Maine and New England area. They were happy for us to post their flyers and promote their events to players that looked at our little newsletter. Not that we were "Sport Illustrated", But the funny thing they wanted our help. Now we don't hear a word from the directors. Interesting?

12 Park has a event that is considered to be exciting and fun, as we were told. We extended our little newsletter to Richie Rivera and Edwin Viera. We found out by mistake that it's really Edwin Viera's tournament. Someone had told us that it was Richie Rivera's. But Edwin straighten me out on that. We provide as much space as they need to present their event, the charts, their photo's and stories. Then we built a You-Tube.com presentation based on their photo's with music for the groups. Then we indicated that everything belongs to each group that has their event. All we wanted to do was show players in other areas and places. The Northeast sport of one wall racquetball. Sort of like "Promote the sport" try to get others interested in playing. Players that play other sports like handball, padel, platform tennis, paddle tennis. You know peek their curiosity. But I think we had the wrong concept?

Well it's the first week of summer, there are 12 other weeks. If they stay as exciting as the first day. We should be reading about one wall sports in the "Daily News" soon! 

Paddleballmag is offering it's opinion on the current situation of One Wall Paddleball. This is our opinion. If you don't like our opinion, you can do two things! You can ignore our point of view or you can write your own views and we will print it. Word for word. All we ask is that you reframe from words that are not appropriate. We want to help the sport, we want the sport, sponsors, organizations and players to enjoy the game. But to help something grow. Sometimes like a parent you have to push it in the right direction. E-Mail us at: Info@paddleballmag.com