Join us this Sunday for a special guest appearance by six-time world champion and six-time US OPEN champion Kane Waselenchuk. The current no. 1 player in the world will be joining us LIVE, this Sunday--August 7 @ 8pm CDT. We will answer all your text and chat messages, you won't want to miss this show. Like this and share it with everyone you know.
www.racquetballjunkie.com

Posted: 08/06/11 in Men's Professional. Score: 0 Special Guest on RacquetballJunkie.com 0 replies

Who would win...let's talk about it. Come listen and watch.
www.racquetballjunkie.com
www.ustream.tv/channel/racquetballjunkie

Posted: 07/25/11 in Men's Professional. Score: -3 Kane vs Sudsy 26 replies

I noticed some good picks for the first player to beat Kane? USA Racquetball posted a picture and posed the question. Check it out.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/USA-Racquetball/164703169528

Posted: 12/15/10 in Men's Professional. Score: 0 Who Will Beat Kane? 2 replies

Did anyone else know that USA Racquetball had a Twitter page? If you already have a Twitter account, you can follow them by searching usaracquetball or visit their Twitter page directly and click the follow button, top left.
http://twitter.com/usaracquetball

If you do not have Twitter, it is free. Twitter lets you write and read messages of up to 140 characters, for more more visit their site.
http://twitter.com/

Posted: 09/14/10 in USA Racquetball. Score: 0 USA Racquetball Twitter Page 0 replies

Mobilizing sports content our main objective: ESPN360 now ESPN3
February 11, 2010 @ 2:38pm PST by Colleen McColl

Tags: ESPN, ESPN3, mobile sports, portable


Buzz up!

ESPN360 is about to get a slight name change, as of April it will now be known as ESPN3.com. Damon Phillips, the gentleman in charge re-branding the network was bursting with excitement over the success that ESPN360 has had and their direction towards delivering mobile content is still their main focus.

“We are an extension of the network and in many ways we are a portable, take it anywhere version of the ESPN family of networks. We had over seven million people watch college football this season smashing our records from before. We are up double digits in all of our sports from college basketball, to soccer and the recently concluded Aussie Open was huge for us. We will continue to offer plenty of quality content to our user’s laptops and cell phones.” said Philips.

“The name ESPN3.com more closely aligns with the existing naming convention for our networks,” said Sean Bratches, executive vice president, sales and marketing. “users have become more accustomed to engaging with content across various screens, it made sense to make adjustments that reflect both the product’s and the industry’s evolution.”

A brief line-up of what ESPN3 will be showing: Basketball – NBA, FIBA, WNBA, college, Euroleague; Football; Soccer – FIFA, any of the events you could want in this category; Baseball – MLB, College & Little League World Series; Tennis – lots and lots of tennis events; Golf – US Open, The masters, Open Championship; Lacrosse – Major & NCAA College; X Games; NCAA Hockey & Softball, Open-wheel Racing, Racquetball & Polo. Not so brief is it.

As far as I am concerned; if sports can be viewed anywhere/anytime – I’m in.

Posted: 02/12/10 in Racquetball News. Score: 0 Mobilizing sports content our main objective: ESPN360 now ESPN3 0 replies

Posted: 01/10/10 in Men's Professional. Score: 0 Another Win Huh Kane? 38 replies

Posted: 11/19/09 in Racquetball Talk. Score: 1 Live Stream Now 6 replies

Posted: 08/07/09 in Midwest. Score: 0 Live Streaming Now of August Triple Crown Shootout 2 replies

Bethany Smith, 12, left, Robert Hemphill, 13, and Jessica Smith, 14, right, pose for a portrait at Fitness One in Northport, Ala. Saturday, May 31, 2009. The three youths will be competing in the Junior National racquetball championships.

By Becky Hopf Special to The Tuscaloosa News
Published: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, June 1, 2009 at 11:26 p.m.
Photo: Dusty Compton / Tuscaloosa News


TUSCALOOSA | Robert Hemphill is only 13, but already he's a bit of a legend.

Locally, he's known as the kid you don't want to play a pick-up game with if you're a grown man whose ego can't take losing to a kid.

Nationally he's known as the racquetball player from Tuscaloosa who has been a regular fixture at the USA junior nationals since he was six.

On June 24-28, Hemphill and Tuscaloosa sisters Jessica and Bethany Smith will be in East Lansing, Mich., participating in the USA Racquetball Junior Olympic Championships.

It will be the first appearance at nationals for the Smiths and the eighth for Hemphill. The trio is coached by Hemphill's mother, Ann Hemphill, and train at Fitness One.

Finalists in their divisions in singles and the winners in doubles will qualify for a position on the Junior USA team.

Hemphill and Jessica Smith are competing in the 14-under singles divisions and together in mixed doubles. Bethany Smith will compete in the 12-under singles and in mixed doubles with a partner from another area.

Hemphill first took racquet in hand when he was five.

'It was fast and fun,' Hemphill said of what initially drew him to the non-traditional sport. 'I started competing at nationals when I was six because somebody I knew went to nationals and told me I needed to go to nationals, so I decided to go.'

He said he didn't remember much about his first trip. He does know that he has improved since then.

'I've become a lot better. I'm faster. I dive more and I hit better shots,' said the two-time Junior World Championships participant.

Hemphill, who will be an eighth-grader at Holy Spirit this fall, competes mostly against adults and has been sponsored by Ektelon since he was eight. He ranks No. 18 nationally.

He's known for his power, backhand, and low shots and ability to read his opponent, having medaled on every trip.

'I've been so many times to nationals, I know my opponent, and, if I can't recognize him, then that means they're probably not that good, so then I usually beat them easily,' said the No. 1 ranked player in Alabama in his age group. 'I guess what makes me good or helps me win against the older players is because I've played since an early age and it just comes naturally to me.'

Hemphill followed his mother, a former Auburn club player who still competes, into the sport.

The Smith sisters followed their dad onto the courts. Jessica is ranked first and Bethany second in the state and both are among the top 40 nationally, making them, perhaps, racquetball's answer, at least in Alabama, to tennis' Williams sisters.

Bethany's strength is speed. Jessica's is power. The two, both state champions, are part of a group of about 30 area home-schooled youth who play. Jessica, 14, is going into 10th grade. Bethany,12, is going into eighth grade.

'My dad played when he was in college, and, I didn't really want to do it at first. But he really wanted me to play, so I tried it,' Jessica said of her start around age nine. 'I really had a lot of fun once I started playing.

'I started competing about two years ago. I liked it because it was new competition instead of playing the same people in class over and over again. It's better to play somebody different so you can get better.'

Bethany was eight when she started playing and began competing two years ago as well.

'I didn't really like it at first, the balls coming at you all different ways. It's just hard,' Bethany said. 'But it was fun, the exercise and everything. I really like it now.'

Having one another to train with has elevated their games.

'Jessica has power, and it's a big challenge to play someone with power. And my speed helps her,' Bethany said.

The sisters said making their first trip to nationals is easier since they are sharing the experience together and with Hemphill.

'I'm kind of nervous about it, but I just have to keep a positive attitude and hopefully I will do OK,' Jessica said.

'I'm nervous but I'm just going to try to do the best I can,' Bethany said. 'It helps me that Jessica will be there with me.'

Posted: 06/04/09 in Racquetball News. Score: 0 Racquetball Trio Heads to Michigan for Championships 0 replies

Bethany Smith, 12, left, Robert Hemphill, 13, and Jessica Smith, 14, right, pose for a portrait at Fitness One in Northport, Ala. Saturday, May 31, 2009. The three youths will be competing in the Junior National racquetball championships.

By Becky Hopf Special to The Tuscaloosa News
Published: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, June 1, 2009 at 11:26 p.m.
Photo: Dusty Compton / Tuscaloosa News


TUSCALOOSA | Robert Hemphill is only 13, but already he's a bit of a legend.

Locally, he's known as the kid you don't want to play a pick-up game with if you're a grown man whose ego can't take losing to a kid.

Nationally he's known as the racquetball player from Tuscaloosa who has been a regular fixture at the USA junior nationals since he was six.

On June 24-28, Hemphill and Tuscaloosa sisters Jessica and Bethany Smith will be in East Lansing, Mich., participating in the USA Racquetball Junior Olympic Championships.

It will be the first appearance at nationals for the Smiths and the eighth for Hemphill. The trio is coached by Hemphill's mother, Ann Hemphill, and train at Fitness One.

Finalists in their divisions in singles and the winners in doubles will qualify for a position on the Junior USA team.

Hemphill and Jessica Smith are competing in the 14-under singles divisions and together in mixed doubles. Bethany Smith will compete in the 12-under singles and in mixed doubles with a partner from another area.

Hemphill first took racquet in hand when he was five.

'It was fast and fun,' Hemphill said of what initially drew him to the non-traditional sport. 'I started competing at nationals when I was six because somebody I knew went to nationals and told me I needed to go to nationals, so I decided to go.'

He said he didn't remember much about his first trip. He does know that he has improved since then.

'I've become a lot better. I'm faster. I dive more and I hit better shots,' said the two-time Junior World Championships participant.

Hemphill, who will be an eighth-grader at Holy Spirit this fall, competes mostly against adults and has been sponsored by Ektelon since he was eight. He ranks No. 18 nationally.

He's known for his power, backhand, and low shots and ability to read his opponent, having medaled on every trip.

'I've been so many times to nationals, I know my opponent, and, if I can't recognize him, then that means they're probably not that good, so then I usually beat them easily,' said the No. 1 ranked player in Alabama in his age group. 'I guess what makes me good or helps me win against the older players is because I've played since an early age and it just comes naturally to me.'

Hemphill followed his mother, a former Auburn club player who still competes, into the sport.

The Smith sisters followed their dad onto the courts. Jessica is ranked first and Bethany second in the state and both are among the top 40 nationally, making them, perhaps, racquetball's answer, at least in Alabama, to tennis' Williams sisters.

Bethany's strength is speed. Jessica's is power. The two, both state champions, are part of a group of about 30 area home-schooled youth who play. Jessica, 14, is going into 10th grade. Bethany,12, is going into eighth grade.

'My dad played when he was in college, and, I didn't really want to do it at first. But he really wanted me to play, so I tried it,' Jessica said of her start around age nine. 'I really had a lot of fun once I started playing.

'I started competing about two years ago. I liked it because it was new competition instead of playing the same people in class over and over again. It's better to play somebody different so you can get better.'

Bethany was eight when she started playing and began competing two years ago as well.

'I didn't really like it at first, the balls coming at you all different ways. It's just hard,' Bethany said. 'But it was fun, the exercise and everything. I really like it now.'

Having one another to train with has elevated their games.

'Jessica has power, and it's a big challenge to play someone with power. And my speed helps her,' Bethany said.

The sisters said making their first trip to nationals is easier since they are sharing the experience together and with Hemphill.

'I'm kind of nervous about it, but I just have to keep a positive attitude and hopefully I will do OK,' Jessica said.

'I'm nervous but I'm just going to try to do the best I can,' Bethany said. 'It helps me that Jessica will be there with me.'

Posted: 06/04/09 in Junior Racquetball. Score: 0 Racquetball Trio Heads to Michigan for Championships 0 replies

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Waselenchuk wins his sixth IRT event of the season in Seattle

Seattle WA – The No. 5 ranked player in the world Kane Waselenchuk from Edmonton Alberta Canada upset number two Jack Huczek of Dallas Texas in four games 11-0, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5 to take the title at the 2009 Seattle Open February 19-22 at the Washington Athletic Club.

This would be Kane’s sixth title of the season and the third time he has bested Huczek in the finals. Jack was looking to defend his title here in the Emerald City but just didn’t have the game to take out Waselenchuk in this match. Kane kept Huczek off balance most of the match and mixed up his service game with power and finesse.

The win here in Seattle would move Kane closer to the year-end number one ranking which he has been adamant about conquering once again.

Huczek reached the final by taking out the number three player in the world, Alvaro Beltran of Tijuana Mexico in three straight games 15-13, 11-2, 11-11-1. Beltran was looking to meet up with Kane in the final as he is the only player to defeat Waselenchuk this season.

Huczek was too much for Beltran in this match. Kane took the number one player from Orange County California, rocky Carson in three quick games 11-5, 11-2, 11-1. Carson has yet to find an answer to counter Kane’s game this season.

Over 200 players entered the event from all over the world making this the largest event in the history of the tournament.

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is the governing body of men’s professional racquetball.

Dave Negrete IRT Commissioner

Link to original article:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/131406-kane-waselenchuk-wins-the-2009-seattle-open-racquetball-championship

Posted: 02/28/09 in Racquetball News. Score: 0 Kane Waselenchuk Wins the 2009 Seattle Open Racquetball Championship 1 replies

Posted: 02/13/09 in USA Racquetball. Score: 0 Commentary For National Doubles 30 replies