Racquetball business

Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 ranked player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), has agreed to a contract extension with Pro Kennex International Co., Ltd. In a press release, Michael Martinez, President of Pro Kennex USA stated "Kane will play a vital role in the success of the sport and Pro Kennex."

Waslenchuk is "excited to continue to be a part of Team Pro Kennex. I look forward to continuing our successful relationship with what I think is the best company in racquetball."

While Waselenchuk is staying with the racquet company he played with last season, The Racquetball Blog has confirmed the rumour that Rocky Carson, IRT #3, is leaving Ektelon for Head. We expect a formal announcement to be made next week.

Carson's move means 3 of the top 5 IRT players will be sponsored by Head, as Head also sponsors #2 Jack Huczek and #5 Shane Vanderson.

Finally, Mitch Williams and Wilson Racquet Sports agreed last month to continue their relationship. Williams won the 2010 US National Doubles Championship in May with Ben Croft, which gives him a chance to defend his World Championship title in South Korea next month at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships. Williams won doubles in 2008 with Jason Thoerner.

Williams has been with Wilson for three years, and said “I am pleased to continue playing and endorsing Wilson.”

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Tim Keown on sport specialization

Recently, we discussed sport specialization and how the top racquetball players played other sports in addition to racquetball, which they credit with helping them be better racquetball players. Tim Keown of ESPN recently wrote a piece on the topic of sport specialization, which is doing away with multi-sport athletes to the detriment of those developing athletes.

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Carson & Paraiso double winners at WOR

Rocky Carson won his 3rd straight Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championship (WOR) title in Huntington Beach, California on Sunday with a convincing defeat of Alvaro Beltran in two straight games 15-1, 15-8. Carson also won the doubles title with partner Rob Hoff as they defeated Kevin Booth and Mike Peters in the final, 15-13, 15-11.

Jackie Paraiso was also a double winner outdoors as she defeated Rhonda Rajsich for the singles title, 15-12, 8-15, 11-5, and then teamed up with Aimee Ruiz to win the doubles title defeating Rajsich and Martha Mcdonald, 15-7, 12-15, 11-7.

Rajsich had the dubious distinction of losing three finals Sunday as she also lost the mixed doubles title with Craig Love to her women's doubles parter Martha Mcdonald and Chris Mcdonald, 3-15, 15-6, 11-3.

The Classic Pro Racquetball (CPRT) doubles division was won by Cliff Swain and Craig Lane, who defeated Dale Valentine and Richard Eisemann, 15-9, 15-2.

2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships
Huntington Beach, California

Men's Pro/Open Finals

Singles: Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 15-1, 15-8
Doubles: Rocky Carson & Rob Hoff d. Kevin Booth & Mike Peters, 15-13, 15-11

Women's Pro/Open Final

Singles: Jackie Paraiso d. Rhonda Rajsich, 15-12, 8-15, 11-5
Doubles: Aimee Ruiz & Jackie Paraiso d. Rhonda Rajsich & Marth Mcdonald, 15-7, 12-15, 11-7

Mixed Pro Doubles Final
Chris Mcdonald & Martha Mcdonald d. Craig Lane & Rhonda Rajsich, 3-15, 15-6, 11-3

CPRT Doubles Final
Cliff Swain & Craig Lane d. Dale Valentine & Richard Eisemann, 15-9, 15-2

Follow the bouncing ball....

WOR Finals (kind of)

It's two days since the final of the 2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships (WOR) in Huntington Beach, California and we still can't tell you who won between Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran, although we can say that Jackie Paraiso defeated Rhonda Rajsich on the women's side. But please don't ask what the scores were.

This highlights one of the most frustrating things about racquetball tournaments: finding out what happened. The introduction of R2Sports.com on line tournament system was a great advance, but still there are tournaments that fail to update their event in a timely fashion or with complete score information. This is poor. Moreover, such failures reflect badly on the both the specific tournament and on racquetball in general.

We can't stress enough how important communication of events is. Making this communication happen is easier than it has been in the past, which only causes more frustration when it doesn't happen.

What should be done? The tournament director or tour commissioner should designate a person to be in charge of getting the results out. Someone who is detail-oriented should be given this task and the person should be available to get the results out as soon as they occur.

The purpose of The Racquetball Blog is to communicate racquetball information to the interested public, and we know that public exists. They are probably as frustrated as we are by these instances of non-reporting.

If you're not going to care about your event/sport enough to ensure that the results are communicated promptly to the public, how are you ever going convince anyone else to care?

2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships
Huntington Beach, California

Men's Pro/Open

Final - Rocky Carson vs. Alvaro Beltran

Women's Pro/Open

Final - Jackie Paraiso d. Rhonda Rajsich

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WOR - Men's & Women's finalists set

Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran will meet in the final of the 2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships (WOR) in Huntington Beach, California on Sunday in what will be a repeat of last year's final, which Carson won in two straight games.

Carson had to play three matches Saturday, and reached the final with a win over Greg Solis (scores unknown) in the semi-finals. In the other semi, Beltran defeated Robert Sostre, 15-14, 15-12.

On the women's side, the top two seeds will also face off in the final as Jackie Paraiso, the #1 seed, defeated Angela Grisar, 15-14, 15-7 in one semi-final, and 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Janel Tisinger, 15-5, 15-1, in the other.

Rajsich won this event two years ago, when she beat Grisar in the final. Paraiso was runner up last year, losing the final to Paola Longoria.

2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships
Huntington Beach, California

Men's Pro/Open

Semi-finals
Rocky Carson d. Greg Solis
Alvaro Beltran d. Robert Sostre, 15-14, 15-12

Final
Rocky Carson vs. Alvaro Beltran

Quarter finals
Rocky Carson d. Josh Tucker, 15-9, 11-15, 11-4
Greg Solis d. Charles Pratt, 15-5, 15-5

Robert Sostre d. Shane Vanderson, 15-14, 15-12, 11-7 (unknown who won game 1 & 2)
Alvaro Beltran d. Nick Montalbano, scores unknown

Round of 16:
Rocky Carson d. Dillon Silver, score unknown
Josh Tucker d. Manuel Flores, 15-1, 15-2

Charles Pratt d. Chris Crowther, 15-3, 6-15, 11-5
Greg Solis d. Jose Rojas, 15-13, 15-9

Robert Sostre d. Bradley Bowers, 15-3, 15-6
Shane Vanderson d. Rafael Filippini, 15-9, 15-10

Nick Montalbano d. Jim Bronson, 15-7, 15-5
Alvaro Beltran d. Brandon Davis, 15-12, 15-10

Women's Pro/Open

Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso d. Angela Grisar, 15-14, 15-7
Rhonda Rajsich d. Janel Tisinger, 15-5, 15-1

Final
Jackie Paraiso vs. Rhonda Rajsich

Follow the bouncing ball....

WOR - Men's Round of 16 Results

The men are down the quarter-finals at the 2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships (WOR) in Huntington Beach, California, and most of the top seeds are through to the quarters. The exception is Mike Orr, the 7th seed, who lost his first match to Nick Montalbano, 15-12, 8-15, 11-3. Montalbano then defeated Jim Bronson, 15-7, 15-5, to go through to the quarters where he will face 2nd seed Alvaro Beltran, a 15-12, 15-10 winner over Brandon Davis in the Round of 16.

The top Rocky Carson isn't yet through to the quarters as he has to play his Round of 16 match Saturday morning against Dillon Silver. Carson may have to play three matches on Saturday, if he makes it to the semi-finals.

2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships
Huntington Beach, California

Men's Pro/Open Round of 16:

Rocky Carson vs. Dillon Silver (Saturday)
Josh Tucker d. Manuel Flores, 15-1, 15-2

Charles Pratt d. Chris Crowther, 15-3, 6-15, 11-5
Greg Solis d. Jose Rojas, 15-13, 15-9

Robert Sostre d. Bradley Bowers, 15-3, 15-6
Shane Vanderson d. Rafael Filippini, 15-9, 15-10

Nick Montalbano d. Jim Bronson, 15-7, 15-5
Alvaro Beltran d. Brandon Davis, 15-12, 15-10

Quarter finals
Josh Tucker vs. Rocky Carson or Dillon Silver
Greg Solis vs. Charles Pratt

Robert Sostre vs. Shane Vanderson
Alvaro Beltran vs. Nick Montalbano

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WOR - Women's QF Results

The women's 3rd and 4th seeds were upset Friday at the 2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships (WOR) in Huntington Beach, California. Angela Grisar, the 2008 winner of this event, took out the 3rd seed Michelle Poage in two straight games, 15-10, 15-10, and Janel Tisinger defeated 4th seed Keely Franks, 15-13, 14-15, 11-6.

In Saturday's semi-finals Grisar will face top seed Jackie Paraiso, who beat Aubrey O'brien (scores unknown), while Tisinger will take on 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich, a quarter final winner over Aimee Ruiz, 15-12, 15-8.

2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships - Huntington Beach, California

Women's Pro/Open Quarter finals

Jacqueline Paraiso d. Aubrey O'brien
Angela Grisar d. Michelle Poage, 15-10, 15-10

Janel Tisinger d. Keely Franks, 15-13, 14-15, 11-6
Rhonda Rajsich d. Aimee Ruiz, 15-12, 15-8

Semi-finals
Jacqueline Paraiso vs. Angela Grisar
Rhonda Rajsich vs. Janel Tisinger

Follow the bouncing ball....

WOR - Women's Round of 16 Results

The 2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships (WOR) began Wednesday in Huntington Beach, California and the top women's seeds won their first matches. Top seed Jackie Paraiso defeated Cathryn Mahoney, 15-3, 15-1, and second seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Courtney Chisholm (score unavailable).

The closest match of the day was between Angela Grisar and Jennifer Saunders, as it went tie-breaker with Grisar coming back from one game down to win 13-15, 15-9, 11-6. Outdoor experience may have played a role in the match, as Grisar won this event two years ago while Saunders is playing in her first outdoor event.

Next up for Grisar is Michelle Poage who defeated Veronica Sotomayor, 15-9, 15-9.

2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships
Huntington Beach, California

Women's Pro/Open Round of 16

Jacqueline Paraiso d. Cathryn Mahoney, 15-3, 15-1
Aubrey O'brien d. Devon Pimentelli, 15-7, 15-8

Angela Grisar d. Jennifer Saunders, 13-15, 15-9, 11-6
Michelle Poage d. Veronica Sotomayor, 15-9, 15-9

Keely Franks d. Michelle Key, 15-7, 15-10
Janel Tisinger d. Linda Scales, 15-5, 15-8

Aimee Ruiz d. Christie Noller, 15-11, 15-4
Rhonda Rajsich d. Courtney Chisholm

Quarter finals
Jacqueline Paraiso vs. Aubrey O'brien
Angela Grisar vs. Michelle Poage

Keely Franks vs. Janel Tisinger
Rhonda Rajsich vs. Aimee Ruiz

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WOR's a comin' to Huntington Beach

The 2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships (WOR) begin Wednesday in Huntington Beach, California. With 326 players participating there are again more players participating this year than the year before, as there are over 40 more players than last year and almost 100 more than two years ago.

Last year's finalists are the top two seeds on the men's side, as Rocky Carson will try to defend his title with Alvaro Beltran as his chief competitor. Outdoor racquetball specialists Robert Sostre and Greg Solis are seeded 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Last year's women's winner, Paola Longoria, isn't in Huntington Beach this time, so Jackie Paraiso, runner up to Longoria last year, is the top seed with former champion Rhonda Rajsich seeded 2nd.

Of note on the women's side, Veronica Sotomayer is playing in her first competition since May 2009, as she took last year off of competition. She's up against Michelle Poage in the first round and playing doubles with Jennifer Saunders.

If Sotomayor and Saunders win their first match against Celeste Pafford and Mary Schoumaker they'll face Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz, who are seeded third as they were semi-finalists last year, losing to eventual winners Rajsich and Martha Mcdonald. Poage and Janel Tisinger were runners up last year and are seeded 2nd.

2010 Racquetball Warehouse World Outdoor Racquetball Championships
Huntington Beach, California

Men's Pro/Open Top 8 Seeds
1 Rocky Carson
2 Alvaro Beltran
3 Robert Sostre
4 Greg Solis
5 Charles Pratt
6 Shane Vanderson
7 Mike Orr
8 Josh Tucker

Women's Pro/Open Round of 16

Jacqueline Paraiso vs. Cathryn Mahoney
Devon Pimentelli vs. Aubrey O'brien

Angela Grisar vs. Jennifer Saunders
Veronica Sotomayor vs. Michelle Poage

Keely Franks vs. Michelle Key
Janel Tisinger vs. Linda Scales

Aimee Ruiz vs. Christie Noller
Rhonda Rajsich vs. Courtney Chisholm

Follow the bouncing ball....

C'est triste !

Philipe Lecompte of the Paris Racquetball Association (PRA) informed us that their club plans to convert its four racquetball courts to squash courts in the near future. He expects it to happen this summer.

Anyone who wants racquetball to grow internationally will be saddened by this news.

The courts are at the City Form location of the Forest Hill chain of athletic clubs, and are located in the Nanterre part of Ile de France just to the west of Paris. Forest Hill has multiple clubs around Paris including a club that was exclusively for squash also located in Nanterre. They are closing that other club and to accommodate the members there are changing the racquetball courts at City Form to squash courts.

The French Open has been held in Paris for many years and was part of the European Racquetball Federation (ERF) tournament schedule. It's unclear when that event will be held again.

The PRA is not giving up on racquetball and plans to lobby to get courts in another location, and we wish them the best with that effort.

But having had the pleasure of playing racquetball in Paris, we are depressed by this news.

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