The greatest value that comes from our tournaments is not able to be gauged.The fun factor,the stress relief while on the court and hanging out with good friends,chewing the fat and talkin' the trash and of course being an expert on everyone elses game while watching the matches.When I walk down those steps to the courts I feel like Norm on Cheers.It is one of the best places to be for me.The tournaments are something that we do for ourselves,something that we definately deserve in an age of terrorism and financial uncertainity.We are issolated that weekend from the outside,almost like the fortress of solitude in Superman. Looking forward to seeing all the old and hopefully a few new faces next weekend.do not forget we are limiting this tourney to 120 people so get you app in.  Jon "Hit Smarter not Harder"

 Before you go to sleep at night does your arm "swing" through a forehand in a jerking fashion ? (Funny I whacked my wife in the head pretty hard with a follow through when sleeping at my relatives)

 Do you spend more tham one hour a week looking for racquetball related sites ?

 Do you check your USRA ranking more than once a month when you know the results come out only once a month ?

 Do you find it difficult talking to people when they say what is racquetball anyway ? ( I personally want to smack them in the head with my 170 )

 Do you think about and even get "buteerflies"on Monday for a Saturday start tournament ?

 Do you play through injuries that any other sport of much less impact would rest it out ?

Do you look out the window hoping that the ups guy has that newest equiptment in his truck,and when it comes it is better than Christmas ?Then you take everything out of the box and stare at the new stuff like a drooling idiot ?

 Do you rationalize that tournaments are a good value if you eat enough food and drink enough gatorade ?

 Are more than 50 % of your close buddies players and do you have a category on your cell phone just for players ?  continued below

 We all must do our part helping to grow the sport.Next time you see a person female or not grab them on the court.If I could do my duty ,these darn heels hurt,so can you no matter what level you are at.Besides if you are single a little court time might end up in courtship.Jon " Hit Smarter not Harder"

 Enter 2008,does the two years of peace sound familiar.Two years without Kane.If he were a gunslinger he woulde arguably be one of the best gunslingers around.Then enter the announcement he is teaming up with Mannino at Prokennex.Not that there is a dislike for these guys but they are definately a  lot more outspoken than the rest of the players on tour. Enter Rocky Carson,I would say todays Wyatt Earp. Keeping the peace on the IRT. Always the gentleman on the court during the absence of Kane.Wiil Jack rise to the occasion when the Clanton gang(Mannino and Wasselenchuck)comes to town ?

The days of gladiators and gunslingers are of the past,but the story to be told remains the same .Kane being suspended was actually a great thing for our sport(Though he may disagree with me).Signing with Prokennex just increases the drama.Teaming up with Mannino is the icing on the cake.I am very much looking forward to how the matches go.I do not think you will only be seeing Jack and Rocky in the finals at almost every event,It goes to prove that you need the Dennis Rodmans and Darrel Strawberries of the sports world.

 Load your weapons gentleman. Jon "Hit Smarter not Harder"

 Our first type is the younger college player.In  some ways this group has the greatest flexibility in chosing tournaments.No family,serious career,or for that matter not much to worry about.The downfall of a lot of younger players is finding a way to pay for all these tournaments. The upside ,resilitant bodies that can play as many tourneys you can throw at them.

 Our next group is the 20 - 45 year old player. It may sound like a large age range but they share a lot of the same characteristics.Generally family obligations come in many forms.Getting married,having kids,toting different children to different directions for baseball,ballet,gymnastics,cub scouts, girl scouts,etc(married peoiple know what I mean),Then there is the barage of friends getting married,kids birthday parties,and people kicking the bucket.(sometimes I do not know which is the worst to attend)The plus side is we are by this point in our life able to eat somewhere besides fast food and afford tournaments without asking our mothers for money.The obvious downside is we start to have a little bit of breakdown and as an average we are living day to day with some type of injury or injuries.The other plus side is we are probably peaking and are old enough to drink from the keg at the tournaments now

 Next group 45  +. They finally got those kids out of the house ! Now it is a little time for mom or dad.Kids are driving and probably have little interest in hanging out with dad.truly this may be the most flexible time in a persons life for tourneys if it were not for a few things such as ,ankles,knees,hips,lower back,wrist,elbow,and shoulder.now you can travel easily to those out of state tournaments.Hop on a plane to Memphis or Houston..

 The great thing about racquetball is the ability to play at so many different levels and so many different ages.There is a part of me though that says I want to get as many tournaments as my schedule will allow.I plan on attending all of NJAR s tourneys of course.Now we will see what my family obligations,and body will allow.I hope to attend at least eight weekend tournaments and at least four shootouts.To all the married people start on your schedule now for the upcoming season with your spouse.Just about every state has their tournaments up except for Connecticut.It could make your marriage better. Jon "Hit Smarter not Harder"