After a brief rain delay that brought a much needed break for players and tournament staff alike, 3WB and the MRF
honored current and past veterans with an outstanding presentation. The presentation was well attended and was
a major highlight of the tournament.
NPA INTRODUCES PADDLEBALL TO THE 3WB EVENT
This was the first appearance of the sport of paddleball at the outdoor event. In addition it was the first chance for players to hit the new Ektelon paddleball, Official ball of the NPA. The turnout was small, but the play was excellent. The handball and racquetball contingents were more than gracious with their courts and times. We offered two divisions (Open and B), with the first round losers rolling down into A and C respectively. The players with the most titles all come from the Midwest and had little to no experience on playing outdoor paddleball and the learning curve was steep! It takes a while to get used to no back wall (cant tell you how many times I heard Id have had that if there was a back wall there). Outdoor experience showed with the Open division winners being Todd Entriken from California and Richie Miller from New York. The B winners however were quick to adapt Norm Bruemmer from Michigan and his son Alex of California (who has been playing paddleball for five months under the tutelage of Charlie Brumfield) were the winners. Norm had a very bad fall in the second round running to get a long ball, tumbling over the chairs and severely pulling a hamstring, but soldiered on to win the event.
Everyone who played had an excellent time and has been spreading the word since their return. We hope to have a very strong showing for next years event.
MRF PARTICIPATING IN 3 WALLBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM LAS VEGAS
"In support of Wounded Warriors, THANKS to 3 Wallball & World Outdoor Racquetball for participating in a one-day shootout to raise funds to support the MRF Rehabiliation Racquetball Clinics."
The only words that can possible describe this past weekend in Las Vegas are, WOW, WOW and O.M.G. (Ohhh My God)! What a time in Vegas. Special Thanks to Mike Coulter, Hank Marcus, and Steve Lerner (all who brought the 3 WallBall Championships alive on the Vegas Strip at the Stratosphere Hotel) was nothing but amazing. If you have never been to Vegas before, this is a great excuse to get away and see the famous town. This five-day event started out with a fund-raiser in support of the MRF's Rehabilitative Racquetball Clinic (RRC) with a 4 team Charity Doubles featuring outdoor pros & generous amateurs. At the same time, Steven Harper of MRF was interviewed by local TV Station (FOX News) on the purpose of the RRC Helping severely wounded warriors and their involvement in racquetball. (The video link will be posted later this week).
There were so many things to do for the entire family, not just including playing racquetball. Some things included were; for those first time visitors (like me), once you left the airport you ride down Las Vegas Blvd to the first thing you see is the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. *A must see item*, especially if you arrive at night. The city itself is a showpiece of bright lights. As you are riding down the Strip to get to the Stratosphere, and if you are lucky, you will see the famous Water and Light show from the famous Bellagio Hotel. The next sight you will see is the famous replica New York New York city-view and the famous Eiffel Tower of Paris. All before you get to your hotel, the grand Stratosphere Hotel, where if you don't leave the grounds of the hotel, there are still so many things to see within the hotel itself. From the full floor of nothing but casino slot machines, blackjack tables, and etc. as far as your eyes can see. Several diners and restaurants to choose from, and the players were treated to the hotel's buffet dinner (where you could easily gain 8lbs over the weekend). Not to mention several shows in the hotel, but the main attraction was on the roof; there was a ride called the "Sky Jump" if your heart and courage would allow you, you could jump from the tower to the hotel ground floor at a height of 855 ft, falling at a rate of 40mph!!!! Good luck to that one (and NO I didn't', not this time). One other sight that is a MUST; while in Vegas, you have to go see Hoover Dam. It is one of the top 8 attractions in the world. I highly recommend it, only a 40-minute drive away from Las Vegas.
The tournament itself was fantastic! A lot of play time, especially playing at night under the lights; just something about that feeling that gives your ego a boost. There were over 500 players competing in this year's event, which included racquetball, handball, and paddleball divisions. The tournament allowed for a combined Uniform division (comprised of Military, Police, and Firefighters) first time this was allowed at the national event. Some of the greats were on-hand; Ruben, Rocky, Cliff, Chris, Alvaro, Javier, Clubber, Greg, just to name a few.All matches were exciting and fun to watch. Although, everyone got a sun-tan (whether you wanted it or not) the weather was Great! Funny though this year, it rained on Saturday night for about an hour. However, the main event took place after the rain stopped. SSGT Marcia Roberts US Army, who was introduced to racquetball by an MRF one-day clinic held at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX was the highlight of the entire weekend event. With the coordination of Steven Harper MRF, the Honor Guard from NELLIS Air Force Base truly put on a show that made anyone proud to be an American. The Honor Guard presented the National Colors during an evening sunset ceremony and SSGT Roberts was the special Guest of Honor. There wasn't a dry eye during the ceremony, as those who looked on were treated a special tribute to those who gave their lives serving this country or severely wounded protecting our freedom. A musical selection of TAPS was played to bring the house down, and then Steven gave a speech to honor those serving in uniform.
I highly recommend that you plan to make next year's event. This is something that you want to be part of!!! See you in San Diego, California for the All Military National Racquetball Championships October 28 30, 2011.
Day 3 WOR Handball: SHORTY CROWNED KING
Day three at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino produced a new king in the world of 3-Wall Handball. Shorty Ruiz stunned David Chapman three weeks ago in Toledo, and emphatically validated that win in Day 2 in Las Vegas. Shorty avenged a lopsided loss to Nik Nahorniak in Toledo by coming back from a first game loss to win Day 3’s semifinal clash in a tiebreaker. Shorty then clinched his maiden title in dramatic fashion, rallying from a 12-14 first game deficit against one of the game’s giants, Sean Lenning. Scoring three unanswered points to win game on 15-14, Shorty cruised to a 15-3 second game win to become the WOR/WPH Handball Small Ball Men’s Singles Champion.
Shorty will vie for the unprecedented Triple Crown on Day 4 as he and partner Eddie Chappa will face brother-in-laws John Bike, Jr. and Naty Alvarado, Jr. in the Men’s Small Doubles Final. Shorty and Pee Wee Castro will also play for a spot in the Big Ball Men’s Doubles Final on Day 4.
In a day filled with upsets and breakthrough performances, Boxer Rosales defeated the reigning King of 3-Wall Big Ball Handball, Samzon “Totoy” Hernandez. Boxer with face Gambino “GMan” Velesquez in the final of the Men’s Big Ball Singles. “GMan” defeated Pee Wee Castro to advance to the final by diving to all corners of the court.
Bitty Bidegain announced her arrival on the big stage by shocking top 10 pro Jennifer “The Hin” Hinman. Bitty battled outdoor Queen Tracy Davis in the Women’s Pro Singles Semifinal before succumbing 25-15. Tracy Davis will face doubles partner and defending champion Sandy Ng in the Women’s Final.
Sean Lenning and Bitty Bidegain captured the Pro Mixed Doubles by dominating Dave Chapman and Jennifer Hinman, 21-13. Bitty seized her first of what will assuredly be many Open Championships.
Handball fans poured into the Stratosphere from all corners of the country to watch the riveting action.“I was watching the webcast at home, and I had to get on the next flight to be at the event. This event has been the most incredible experience I have ever had in handball. The WPH continues to produce the most incredible events in handball. Thank you to Dave Vincent and all of the crew who made this event so amazing.” –Loweens Jacques, New York 1-Wall aspiring A player
“The Stratosphere continues to go above and beyond great hospitality. When the rains came, the Stratosphere provided blowers and hundreds of towels to make the courts playable as soon as possible. I cannot wait to come back next year. –Wally Amaro, Team Puerto Rico 1-Wall Big Blue
“I have never had so much fun at a handball tournament. The WOR and WPH have created the ultimate mega-event, and every handball player should come to this event to experience top handball and top hospitality.” –Jennifer Hinman, top 10 pro
Day 4 will crown champions in the Womens’s Pro Singles, Men’s Big Ball Singles, Men’s Small Ball Doubles, Men’s Big Ball Pro Doubles, and Womens’s Pro Doubles.
-David Fink
Big Day of Handball at the 2nd WPH/WOR 3 WallBall Outdoor World Championships in Las Vegas, NV, as Shorty Ruiz takes down Sean Lenning to win the small ball world singles title (nabbing Chapman, Nahorniak and Lenning in less than 24 hours).
WPH members can watch the videos, on demand, here: http://www.vimeo.com/wph (we will be uploading all week)
David Chapman, and mixed pro partner, Jennifer Hinman, are in the finals Sunday and geared up to face Sean Lenning and Bitty Bidegain after both teams dominated the mixed division.
In the men's pro big ball singles, Samzon Hernandez was upset when The Boxer (G.Rosales) stunned the SoCal native. Rosales will face The G'man, Gabino Velazquez, in the Sunday final after G' got past Pee Wee Castro in two games.
For all the results, go to http://www.r2sports.com. To watch LIVE purchase your Enet / WPH webcast pass at http://www.race4eight.com.
Troubles with the webcast? Email support at support_enetlive.tv.
Sunday Webcast Schedule:
0900 Women's Pro Singles
1000 Men's Big Ball Pro doubles Final
1100 Men's Small Ball Pro doubles Final
1200 Men's Pro Big Ball Singles Final
1315 Women's pro doubles Final
Watch: http://www.race4eight.com
