Politics and racquetball

The latest trend is political bashing, Cant say I blame the Michael Grab's of the world but in reality politics in a broader sense are a part of life.School,job and yes even racquetball has its politics.There are many different levels to the "political" process of our sport. We first need to start at the international/national level. Hiser,Negrette and a host of other people have a lot to say about how racquetball gets developed and how your newly increased membership gets spent. They have to play the role of politicians by keeping both the pros and amateurs happy. One serve for the pros to keep it moving two for us. The importance of national junior development and getting the fast ,furious ,fitness message out to the masses. Then comes the state level,one I am much more familiar with. A large board,generally speaking,of different people with different views of how to do things. Unlike our politicians or USAR representatives there is no financial compensation for them. Though ideas are passed down from the USAR, the implementation is at the state level. Even though everyone on the board is motivated by the same thing there are many questions and differences that may occur though all seem to agree on the chicken cutlet sandwich on tournament day. Where should resources go to Juniors or the tournament players. Better shirts or maybe no trophies. Now that I think about it I am glad I don't go to those meetings with all those tough decisions. For a guy like me an hour or two of that hurts the old noggin. That is very true being a dictator your whole life running your own business and making all your own decisions and since I have never made a mistake my whole life it is hard to be part of a political process. Any way enough about me being perfect lets get to the real topic I started this blog for .COURT POLITICS. After playing for many years you are bound to get better usually ,and the opportunity to get on the A challenge court is more and more of a possibility. As being invited in as part of the A crowd now I see the process as sometimes cruel but I also look at it in many other ways. First of all at many clubs your time is limited on the courts,do you want to spend your time on the court with a jaboop. Safety is a huge issue for me when inviting in new double players,almost all of us will hold on a call. Will the caveman racquetball player trying to prove his self worth do the same. A persons style could also be a safety issue when you are not used to a player like a very wide swing,shadowing, or not being mobile. Sadly a few times it has been the stink issue. I have had some very nice people with either terrible body odor or taken a bath in Ben Gay before they got on the court. Either way after they are long gone they are still there. The issue that affects players the most is odd man out . We discussed at Red Robbins after playing the other night (thanks for dinner Chubby)about 7 being the worst scenario 4=perfect 5= 1 player rotate out 6= team waiting on deck 8= two courts rotate out winner and loser courts 7=Please go run on the treadmill or something until someone quits or someone else shows up. Then the notorious lock out game reserved for the ultra elite players(hum sincerity ?) Everyone has to learn to respect this scenario,I wasn't always the first kid picked when splitting up the teams for baseball. You don't get over it but you do develop a desire to play better and show those guys someday how great you can play. In the famous words of Rodney King "Why can't we all just get along ? " and every one is equal. Well I am not one for communism and kumbayya(I am 100% sure I spelled that wrong). Hard work reaps great rewards,someone has to sweep and being hungry makes you stronger. Nuff said. my
next blog" Legal ways to have open players removed from the courts" Jon "Hit smarter not harder"