To my Racquetball Friends and Teammates,

Hopefully everyone is having a great and productive off season while you train for the coming season. I anticipate this one to be a very interesting and highly competitive one.

An awful lot has changed and is in the works.

1. Hamburg has some new floors on two of their courts - - this will make for better play and more consistency in the bounce. As we all know, that makes for a totally different game. (Be afraid Hamburg, be Very Afraid)

2. Ireland has been chosen to Host the 2008 World Racquetball Championships in Kingston. This means they are fired up and practicing very hard to make a great showing. His is very evident in their dominance at the 2007 European racquetball Championships in Italy.

3. Catalonia, Spain. Victor has made a successful transition from squash to racquetball. This was evident in his victories at the 2007 European racquetball Championships. He has implemented the skills and expertise he developed as a World Class Squash Champion and created the necessary strategies to win his matches. They were not easy or particularly pretty, but his strategies were effective as evident in his going home with the title of 2007 European Champion. Hopefully he will enjoy basking in the victory, but will not allow it to cloud his judgment or assessment of the players this year. I anticipate some very intense matches in the coming year. So everyone better get ready to play hard or bring a soft cushion because they will be on the spectator’s bench.

4. Youthful players. There is really not much to say on this except that the kids have come to play. Ireland and Hamburg have developed some awesome youth players that are giving fits to the more mature Open division players. We better add a healthy dose of cardio to our work-outs or they WILL run circles around us. They are fast, flexible, and hungry for success. The more match play they get the more mature they become. If you do not come to play from the start, it will not be pretty and it definitely will be a short tournament weekend if you run into them in the early rounds.

5. New venues. Turkey, Italy, and Spain will have tournaments added to the calendar this year. This means new players and different locations (more travel). Let’s make sure to all have bright attitudes as we welcome the new players and countries to the circuits. Some of them may be nervous about making the transition from other sports to ours and about the interactions with the various countries. Many new spectators will be present and some of a very influential nature. Let’s make a good impression by displaying good sportsmanship and dressing to impress. (Stealthy plug for Country / Team clothing)

Okay that is my scouting and impression report. Now for suggestions on how to get ready.

A. I am going to Hamburg to play on 18 Aug. It would be great if more players were able to show up to get some practice on the new floors and to play with the Hamburg Team. Remember, Hamburg is the 1st tournament of the coming year and their players will be the ones having the home court advantage. It is best to get a little practice to know what you need to work on.

B. I will host a one-day invitational tournament in Heidelberg on 1 September. We will play all day in a Team competition format; retire to my flat for a light dinner before hitting the club(s) for some great socializing and communications. I have additional space in my flat for several overnight visitors (bring a towel and sleeping bag). This will be Open players only and Teams of 4. We will play singles and doubles.

I look forward to a wonderful season of excellent, yet highly charged, competition. Hopefully you will be healthy and ready.

Talk to and see you soon,

Spiderman