Kane Waselenchuk’s two year absence from the pro racquetball tour has seen two new IRT year-end champions crowned, and one new victor to the sport’s premiere event, the US OPEN. As of June 2008, Kane Waselenchuk is again eligible to compete in events sanctioned by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF), and more importantly, USA Racquetball (as USAR sanctions all IRT events). Many anticipate Kane will immediately return to the top spot in the sport, while others speculate that he’ll need some play time to get his game back on par with “big boys”.
Kane has been sporadically participating in regional exhibition events in Texas, but gets the opportunity to “level” his skills in just two days during a non-sanctioned event against Jason Mannino. His next stop will be in Arlington, TX where he will complete against all the top ranked IRT pros in a Tier 2 … . Hmm, just as I am writing this, it looks like the Arlington event has been “downgraded” to a one-day shootout as part of the “Triple Crown” in Texas. Damn! I guess if you want to see Kane play prior to his official comeback during the 2008-2009 season, you’ve got to go the “Battle of the Champions” versus Jason Maninno.
I think many people were really looking forward to see how Kane’s game has changed after being gone for two years, and now we’ll have to wait for a few more months to see how he holds up for a full-fledged event. This is going to be a long off-season!
The other unknown is Kane’s new equipment for the up-coming year. He has started a relationship with Pro Kennex for his own racquet, the Krowning Moment. Little is known about where the racquets will be sold, specs, etc.
May 13th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
There have been MANY rumors surrounding an affiliation between the IRT (Men’s Pro Racquetball Tour) and ESPN, to provide live video streaming of the events. On May 8th, the IRT sent out a newsletter, part of which is copied below. In summary, ESPN360.com will provide live video streaming for all Tier 1 IRT stops next season!! This move by the IRT should provide a HUGE increase in exposure for the sport, and we can only hope that things continue to move in this direction. Next season should be a VERY exciting year for the sport!
I’m still not sure why ESPN360.com is only available to certain ISP’s (licensing fees?), but any increase in viewership is a good thing, IMO.
ESPN360.com will become the official home for live IRT action this fall. A deal was signed before the Motorola IRT Pro Nationals presented by Verizon Wireless between ESPN and the IRT to broadcast all semi-final and final matches at all tier one IRT events in the US. Also as part of the deal ESPN will air the Motorola Pro Nationals in Chicago and The Motorola World Championships in Denver on ESPN Classic on a tape delayed basis. Air times will be in primetime and re-aired in prime time. More details are coming so keep your eyes on the IRT website.
ESPN360.com is ESPN’s signature broadband sports network, delivering more than 2,500 live global sports events per year. The service offers a mosaic of screens that allow users to follow multiple events simultaneously, and expanded controls including live-event pause, rewind and fast forward. ESPN360.com is currently available in nearly 23 million homes nationwide via more than 20 Internet service providers including AT&T, Verizon, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Charter, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and more. Additionally, it is available to approximately 18 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel (fans accessing ESPN360.com from computers connected to an on-campus educational or military network – those with “.edu” or “.mil” domains).
Consumers wanting more information about ESPN360.com, which high speed Internet services currently provide it, and how they can get it should go to www.espn360.com.
May 12th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
Although Double Donut Studios did not attend the 2008 IRT Pro National Racquetball Championships, veteran racquetball photographer Mike Boatman was onsite. Besides being all all-around great guy and talented racquetball photographer, Mike is an accomplished national photographer based out of Memphis, TN. Here are a few “teasers” - head over to the galleries for the complete 145 photo set.
**** All photos Copyright 2008 Mike Boatman - www.MikeBoatman.com. ***** (please contact Mike Boatman directly for licensing inquiries)
May 11th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
May 8th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
- USA Racquetball adds a "retro bingo" and "70’s costume contest" to the agenda of evening events. Can’t wait to get there with my camera!! #
May 4th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
- @byflutter only if you’re doing it right
#
May 3rd, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
May 2nd, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
As racquetball claws its way back into mainstream sports media, Rhonda Rajsich is scheduled to be interviewed in ESPN News to talk about dominating performance on the women’s pro tour this season. If any is successful recording this, I’d love to have a copy to post on the site! Here’s a press release from Shannon Feaster of the WPRO:
#1 WPRO Pro Rhonda Rajsich will appear on ESPNEWS’ “The Pulse” this Saturday (May 3) between 1-3pm ET to discuss her recent victory in New Orleans at the 2008 Chemtech WPRO World Championship presented by Ektelon! Rhonda will also talk about her career accomplishments and how she got to be #1 in the world for the third straight time. Rajsich won the last four major WPRO events to close out the 2007-08 season. We will try to send an update on the approximate segment time if we can but please set your VCR’s, DVR’s and Tivo’s to record the show! For more information about Rhonda, visit her Web site at www.rhondarocks.com.
Next season’s schedule will be posted on the tour’s Web site the first week of June, so please check out www.wpro-tour.com to see when the top WPRO pro’s will be in a city near you! On behalf of the WPRO, thanks for your support an d we hope to see you soon.
May 1st, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
Kicking off this weekend in Las Vegas, NV are the Pro National Championships for the Classic Professional Racquetball Tour (CPRT). The CPRT is a Pro tour for athletes over 40 years of age, and not ranking in the top 8 of the IRT. Players include Cliff Swain, Ruben Gonzalez, Woody Clouse, Brent Harnet, and more. Throughout the season, the CPRT has come to many events (such as the US OPEN), and made the Men’s 40+ draw into the “CPRT event” with amateurs qualifying to face off against the top players on the tour.
This weekend, the players are in Las Vegas, and the draw looks like it’s stacking up for some good competition. Check it out here (PDF). If you’d like to see any of the matches live, tune in to www.racquetballonline.tv, were the action will stream live (and free!) over the internet.
May 1st, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
Time is fast approaching for the 2008 USA Racquetball National Singles Championships. This is the last big adult national level event of the year, and winners of the National’s Qualifier divisions will be appointed to the USA Racquetball National Team to compete at the 2008 World Racquetball Championships.
Dates: May 21-26th, 2008
Location: Downtown YMCA / Hyatt Regency, Houston, TX
Entry Deadline: WEDNESDAY, MAY 7th
Quick Links:
Evening Events:
- Wednesday - Party in the Park Bar (Hyatt)
- Thursday
- Ladies Night Out! (Hyatt)
- Retro Bingo and 70’s Costume Contest (bring your best 70s outfit!!) - Sponsored by Aflac
- Friday - Texas Hold’em Tournament /Head Penn American Idol Contest (Hyatt)
- Saturday - USA Racquetball Banquet “Celebration: The History of Racquetball” (Hyatt)
- Sunday - Farewell in the Bar (Hyatt)
update 5/3: added bingo & 70’s costume contest info
May 1st, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
- Anyone interested in a good racquetball discussion forum should check out http://www.meetandplay.com/forum. Good tools for finding area players! #
- Looks like USA Racquetball replaced “casino night” with “Hold em” and “American Idol” night at National Singles Champs in Houston. Fun fun! #
April 29th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
- The last big national racquetball event of the year approaches - 2008 USA Racquetball National Singles Champs - May 21-26, Houston, TX #
April 28th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
The 2008 IRT Pro National Racquetball Championships finished this weekend, with defending champion Jack Huczek(2) defeating Rocky Carson(1) in a LONG 5-gamer. Although a BIG win, Rocky Carson still sealed the deal for a year-end IRT #1 ranking with his second place finish. There were TWO huge additions to this year’s event - a new portable court with 4-wall glass, and LIVE video streaming via www.espn360.com.
The court looked great (from what I saw on the live ESPN feed), and it appears the front wall was covered with the IRT Pro Nationals logo. There were also two logo banners on either side wall of the court. The commentators made some comments about “the dark left wall”, where players were having some troubles immediately seeing the ball. It will be interesting to hear further reports from players who spent some time on the court this weekend. From what I understand, this will be the court used for all future IRT Grand Slam events.
The streaming on www.espn360.com was great! As with any internet feed, there was some intermittent “pauses” in the audio/video, but the overall quality made it easy to follow the action. It was exciting to see the ESPN logos around the video score banners and other areas 
This could be a HUGE relationship for the IRT, and I hope to see ESPN bring racquetball to people who haven’t experienced the sport. The matches from this weekend are currently available in the “archive” section of www.espn360.com, and I HIGHLY encourage anyone to spend a few minutes checking them out!
April 27th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
I was able to spend a few hours last weekend at the 2008 USA Racquetball NW Regional Championships at Cascade Athletic Club in Gresham, OR. This was a huge event, featuring over 250 participants from around the Pacific Northwest. The only regional qualifier larger in size was the 2008 IRT Pro Nationals with 305 entrants, which was also a regional qualifier for the Chicago area. There were well over 50 people in just the men’s pro division, and MANY people who flew in from around the US to participate - which, in my opinion, really goes to show just how big the event in Oregon was.
Rocky Carson made a guest appearance on Saturday of the event, to do a pro clinic followed by a few “play the pro” matches. The crowd seemed to be very impressed that the current #1 pro in the world was there to share some racquetball insight.
Be sure to check the galleries for shots of the following players: Jimmy Lowe, Chad Westwood, Taylor Knoth, Dan Darling, Dave Azuma, Grant Stalley, David Laforest, Joey Lakowske, Jeremy White
April 27th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
- Jack Huczek and Jason Mannino both advance to the semis, where they play each other tomorrow at 330PM EST (live on http://www.espn360.com)! #
- Rocky Carson advances to the Semi’s after a win over Chris Crowther. Looks like no upsets in the quarters! #
- Saturday 4/26 430PM EST on http://www.ESPN360.com: IRT Pro Nationals Racquetball LIVE Semifinal - Jason Mannino(3) vs. Jack Huczek(2) #
- Saturday 4/26 600PM EST on http://www.ESPN360.com: IRT Pro Nationals Racquetball LIVE Semifinal - Rocky Carson(1) vs. Alvaro Beltran(4) #
- Pictures from the 2008 NW Regionals are processed, and will be online VERY soon! #
- Huge thanks to the REDBULL girls for handing out FREE Redbull at the 2008 NW Regional Racquetball Champs. Your backpacks were SWEEET! #
April 26th, 2008
by Geoff Thomsen
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