A NEW ROAD

     Just a few days after the World Professional Racquetball Championships in Cali Columbia, some of the sport's top IRT and WPRO players made their way to Nevada. To the professional racquetball player, traveling from one city to another, (or in this case, one country to another), is not unusual. That the they did it to take part in an Outdoor racquetball event is, especially considering there was a Tier 1 IRT Pro Stop in San Diego the following week. To date, most pro racquetball players competing in Outdoor events did so during the off season or only participated in the RB-WOR Outdoor Championships held annually in Huntington Beach, California.

     Racquetball over the past few years has experienced the beginnings of a shift in the way it is perceived. With the explosive growth of Outdoor racquetball, many of racquetball's top players have begun to rethink playing outdoor and how it relates to their professional careers. Recognizing this growth potential, the professional organizations are also progressively thinking on just how the Outdoor game will relate to the well established indoor tours in the future.

EXPANDING INTEREST

     The 3 Wall Ball Championships was an inaugural event that featured the first open draw tournament played on portable 3 wall courts. The 3 Wall format courts were set up in the parking lot of the Stratosphere Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Nine courts were build to accommodate four days of competition for both racquetball and handball. This event was sanctioned by both WOR and WPH (World Player's of Handball), making it a first of it's kind inter-sport outdoor event. Both the IRT and WPRO committed their support to the event with scheduling clearance and endorsement of the event for the participation of their pro players. The NPRA (police), WFRA (firefighter), and MRF (military) racquetball associations were also active in promoting the event.

     Presenting Sponsors of the event were the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino and Racquetball Warehouse. Significant support also came from Beck’s, Stella Artois, and Mike’s Hard Lemonade. There were a number of additional sponsors and exhibitors at the event including Ektelon, Gearbox, Head and Pro Kennex from within the racquetball industry.

     It's pretty important to note the sponsors, because it is a clear indication of two things. The first is the recognition given to Outdoor in that it is viewed legitimately. The second (and this may be a bit progressive in thinking), is that the recent transition in how the sport is viewed could open the door for an increase in potential sponsors to find opportunity within the sport.

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME

     CPRT Commissioner Steve Lerner served as the tournament Director for the first ever 3 Wall Ball Championships. CPRT and 3 Wall Ball share resources, sponsors, and leadership so along with the other sanctioning bodies, CPRT had a featured division in the event. According to Lerner, "3 Wall Ball was a company started to design and build portable, temporary and permanent outdoor courts and to develop and promote outdoor events. The World 3 Wall Ball Championships was launched this year to be the marquee event and 'coming out party' for the company."

     Knowing this can add perspective to some of the thought and resources being committed to Outdoor and it's relationship to racquetball as a sport. $45,000 was distributed in prize money. That is a pretty significant amount of money, especially for an outdoor event. During the last few years, there has been an increase in these large type outdoor racquetball events. Traditionally, most outdoor events have been regional affairs and almost grass roots in feel and execution.

     Relatedly, WOR has grown their marquee event, the RB-WOR Championships, into a large affair, a must attend for serious outdoor players. Equivalent to indoor Racquetball's US Open, it has been the only real incentive professional players have had to venture Outdoor over the past few years. However, we may be seeing a shift over the next few years, where already established large outdoor events grow significantly and at the same time, additional large events may be created similar to the 3 Wall Ball Championships. As attendance in these events grows and with the injected money and interest increasing accordingly, pro racquetball players will have to seriously consider fitting Outdoor racquetball into their schedules if they want to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to them as professional athletes.

CONNECTIONS

     The 3 Wall Ball Championships drew large numbers of outdoor players from all over the country. As is the case with the RB-WOR Championships and WOR in general, the community of players all lived this as a main event in the world of Outdoor. Social media, primarily Facebook, allowed the outdoor community (and indoor) to share and re-experience this event with news, tons of pictures and shared thoughts starting mere hours into the event and continuing well after. The nature of Outdoor events, as much social as it is competitive, allowed many of the professionals to continue interaction, albeit virtually.

     This is a pretty big deal when you consider how professional players are exposed. These events offer significant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to experience professional racquetball players on and around the courts. It's important to note because it lends itself to the growth of racquetball, both in general and very specific ways.

     When talking of growth in racquetball as it relates to Outdoor, there are two things that can be considered. Both relating to how players connect to the sport of racquetball. Aggregating people who participate in only or mostly outdoor type racquetball and drawing indoor players outdoors and vice versa. The past few years has seen an exponential growth in outdoor players coming together to play all types of outdoor formats which represents a very large and significant group.

TOP PLAY

     When discussing professional racquetball players playing Outdoors, an obvious topic is the professional who has yet to play outdoors. There will continue to be speculation and maybe some deep rooted feeling on the matter that will, as with all things, work themselves out. That this event is significant enough to warrant a discussion is, in itself, an intent of this article, whether direct or indirect.

     Another topic, which isn't so obvious (except within the die hard Outdoor community,) is the status of the Outdoor pro caliber player. That most of the 3 Wall Ball prize money was taken by indoor pros can be looked at as indicative of what we may see in the future.

     What we will see happening (in the way of a prediction,) is the need for future professionals and players to be well versed in all formats, especially in light of the professional and national organizations seriously contemplating Outdoor as it relates to it's players, members and the sport's overall growth.

     The possibilities that future racquetball professionals will aspire from Outdoor racquetball, could very well be legitimately discussed, when you look at how some of Outdoor's best players transitioned into the sport.

A CASE IN POINT

     Robert Sostre, who is known as "Iceman" and who has a truly deep competitive history, transitioned to Outdoor racquetball after having legendary success in Paddleball and Handball. At the 3 Wall Ball event, he played both Handball and Racquetball. Limited to 3 divisions in each sport, he had a successful run reaching the finals in both the Racquetball Pro MIxed Doubles and the CPRT Pro Doubles, while making the semi-final of the Small Ball Doubles.

     This is not surprising considering Sostre is the holder of well over 100 professional titles in Paddleball, Handball and One Wall Racquetball combined. No exaggeration. And it's at these events, someone like Robert can find serious acknowledgement by someone like Marty Hogan, who himself is no stranger to professional titles.

INDEED

     Indeed, this event was a big opportunity for racquetball players and enthusiasts from all places, formats and organizations to come together and share in appreciation some truly extraordinary match play. It was an open door to network and discuss anything and everything racquetball.

     Throughout the 4 sunny days and warm clear nights, racquetball was being watched and commented on. The atmosphere was friendly and open. Anyone could just show up, sit anywhere and dialogue would break out. You may or may not have known who you were talking to yet you shared a common life interest.

A SHOT IN THE ARM

     Whether or not the success of the 3 Wall Ball Championships leads to a continued annual run remains to be seen. What can be seen is that this event clarifies a view that there is a shift in how racquetball is experienced.

     It's a broader view and should be looked at as complimentary to all formats. It promises to provide drama and intrigue as interest spreads and the sport grows. The lifestyle and horizon that is racquetball has been broadened.

This goes well beyond a shot in the arm.

Lerner Speaks On The Inter-Sport Connection

They Played