I have been fortunate enough to spend some quality time off of the court with Ben Croft, and I beleive he will be a huge asset and a solid return on investment to any racquetball company moving forward from here.
In my opinion, Ben is one of the most exciting players on the indoor and outdoor racquetball circuit right now....and he hasn't even come close to his potential yet at the age of 25.
He is educated, articulate, and a very marketable individual. I believe along with many others that he will be a dominant force on the IRT tour this upcoming season with numerous semi-final appearances along with some final appearances. He is dedicated to the sport and plays every tournament. I also know that he enjoys the outdoor rb game and will most likely make the committment to be a top player there also.
He has had some racquetball conflicts in recent years with some individuals within the sport, but I truly believe he has matured alot in the last 12 months, and is looking forward to being a true competitor and a professional athlete that people aspire to be like.
I believe he will be a true asset to any company he represents moving forward....and I really believe he would be a good fit for a major racquetball company like Ektelon that could really use a good business "shot in the arm" right now.
Yes I am weighing in at 306 right now, but Ben Croft gets in town Sunday July 5th, and he and I only need 2-3 days together and I'm gonna get down to 225 by then(ha-ha)!!
There will be plenty of people looking for pickup games, and Ben and I will be ready for any and all Monday-Wednesday.
Be ready to practice up cuz I don't want to hear anyone cryin' about how you lost to a guy in racquetball that weighs 300+ and another guy thay weighs....uh 140??. We are gonna be team 440 pounds!!
By the way....I have beat out Zeus's odds every time he has ever posted them, and I will come to the tourney ready with my celebrex anti-inflammatory!
Just an FYI.
I know for a fact that the new WOR rule changes were decided on over a conference call with mostly outdoor players involved in the decision making process.
I think WOR is doing a fantastic job in promoting the sport of Outdoor Racquetball. Is WOR perfect? Heck no, but the positives FAR outway the negatives as an organization attempting to organize and grow outdoor RB internationally.
Thunder Rod
This was written by Spartacus in the outdoor thread,
After four days of watching intense outdoor racquetball I must say that in my opinion Ben Croft was the most exciting player to watch. Even the first day of play in a doubles match with partner Mark Koidin playing against Tucker and Son Croft was diving all over the court and making spectacular shots. As a matter of fact, that match went to tie-breaker because of Crofts intensity and championship level effort. On Sunday in the finals of the Open Singles against Mike Orr Ben was receiving serve on an open serve (first serve in singles can go to either side) and Orr had plastered a two wall Z serve out the right door, Croft unsure at first of the direction of the serve had hesitated moving as he could not read the serve and after tracking the ball he took two steps and dove as if catching an end zone pass to make a phenomenal get, immediately popping up like a big wave surfer he re-entered the court and eventually won the rally.
I nominate Ben Croft for the "Most exciting player of the Ektelon 2008 WOR Nationals" In my view he gave a true Spartacus like performance!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know if I am the first to make this known, but Rocky's partner Robb Hoff's chronic hip problem is preventing him to compete this year.
He has elected to play with Scott Mc Masters who I was going to play with.
Rocky is Rocky, and he and Robb, or anyone Rocky plays with will be a threat.
I truly believe Rocky and Scott Mc Masters are the team to beat for 08. Scott is a vetrean outdoor player who gets his serves in every time, and he has an arsenal of great shots from roll out kills, to high 2 walls, to lobs, everything needed to compliment a doubles partner.
With Rocky's speed, athleticism, and outdoor experience, they might not be seeded #1 this year due to points, but watch them roar!!
Someone left an Ektelon Racquetball bag at Marina Park over the weekend with 3 raquets in it.
If it is yours or someone you know, pm me to arrange getting it.
Thunder Rod
Does anyone know of anyone who works at a LA Fitness in southern california that can get a "good guy" membership?
I have heard that there are still some ways to get a deep discount if you pay for 2 or 3 years upfront.
This is for a friend cuz I already have the good guy deal.
thanks,
Thunder(Rod)
I just wanted to let all of the players and spectators know what the food line-up is for the weekend. Non-players can plan on eating and drinking at the tourney also with just a small donation to WOR.
FOR TOURNAMENT PLAYERS(LOOK FOR YOUR FOOD AND DRINK TICKETS IN YOUR BAG WHEN REGISTERING):
Friday: Pasta w/ marinara sauce and meatballs, salad, and breadsticks, a soda, and water to drink.
Saturday: Jimbo's famous carne asada/chicken tacos, beans, rice, chips, salsa, a soda, and waters to drink.(And Big Rod has promised some fresh pineapple from Hawaii on this day)
Sunday: Bar-B-Q day, choice of cheesburger, hot dog, or bratwurst, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, pasta salad, chips, a soda, and waters to drink.
FOR ANYONE:
The above meals will be available for a donation to WOR of $5 for a complete meal with a cold beverage of choice.
We will also be accepting donations for the following items: cheesburger, hot dog, bratwurst, cheese quesadillas, soda, water, gatorade....and YES WE WILL HAVE THE SLUSHEE MACHINE RUNNING WITH BLUE RASPBERRY AND CHERRY FLAVORS!!
Good luck to all players and we look forward to making this a great and hospitable event for all players and spectators!!
Rod(Thunder) and Jimbo
Today there was a large turnout of people at Newport Beach to practice for the King Of the Beach tournament next weekend.
Thanks to Robb Hoff, we had a mini-shootout KOTB style where you played with a different partner each game within your bracket.
Robb kindly offered:
$200 for 1st place
$50 to each person whoe finished 2-7th...Yep 8th would get no money, but it was a $500 pot!!
I believe gave Greg Solis a few bucks to run it...and he was very helpful and did a great job.
There were 14 players and the top 8 went into the playoffs.
Top 8 were:
1- Gary Martin
2- Jeff Johnson
3- Mickey Guido
4- Scott Winters(yes, Mr. Ektelon was in town from Pennsylvania)
5- Jesus(That's GEEZ-US)
6- Louie
7- Thunder
8- Rick Sandello(Who had to leave so Hoffman himself took his spot)
5th-8th was:
5- Gary
6- Robb Hoff
7- Thunder
8- Mickey
Top 4 in finals were: Scott, Louie, Jesus, and Jeff J.
1st-Jeff J., 2nd- Scott Winters, 3rd-Jesus, 4th- Louie
It was a great day at the beach and the King of the Beach format has ALOT of variables attached to its style making it possible for any involved to get to the finals.
See you all Next Weekend.....and thanks again Robb Hoff for your generosity!!
I was told by great friend Gary Martin(who made it to the finals) that the pro-bowl tourney in Hawaii(which is the biggest outdoor tourney in hawaii) had a format where the finals was only 1 game to 15 and there was NO CASH PAID to 2nd place.
I hope my good buddy BIG ROD or someone else from the rock can give an explanation for that type of format and payout.
I've heard of one game to 15 finals in one day shootouts...but for a tourney, how about a match or at least 1 game to 21.
And for the $$ payout, is that true that 2nd place got NO MONEY?
I know WOR has NEVER had a format like that for a sanctioned tourney.
BIG Rod's Pro bowl Tourney should be one of the best this year with some great mainland teams coming to the rock to battle in the cage.
Rob Hoff has publicy stated numerous times that he has a "1 Wall Partner" now. I sure hope that he asks his boss(who is himself) if he can do a quick turnaround trip to the island with the PuertoRican Geezer.
Any odds on whether they will show or not?? He said earlier that he was too busy with life to make it.
Yes, it has been confirmed that Robb Hoff will be spreading his wealth this sunday at newport by hosting a shootout. Come on down!!
It was confirmed by the organizer himself, Robb Hoff, that his non-sanctioned shootout will in fact be on Sunday, Nov. 5th!!
He is opening to attract some of the people from the LA Fitness indoor tourney to come out on Sunday.
Robb intends to offer a number of fun money awards to things like: Best get of the Day, Best Kill shot of the day etc. So come on out and compete and have some fun at the beach.
I am sure there will be a lot of chatting about Marina Park as the location for the big upcoming tourney. I was actively involved in deciding what WOR thought would be best for the tourney and the future of the outdoor championship tourneys, and I think Allan,Hank, and WOR made a GREAT decision, not just a good one.
Regarding the playablity of the courts:
they are basically the same dimensions as Golden West. There are 3 courts on two sides, and then 2 additional courts on one end, for a total of 8 courts. The other end is a huge wall which allows for warming up prior to matches. The city is very excited about working with WOR and to make sure the courts will be in great condition. The city is checking with its central mainatenance dept. to see if they can make some improvements that we recommended. The improvements are basically cosmetic things like resurfacing the floors and possibly re-painting the walls. Structurally the courts are good, but there are a few spots in the backcourt area of a couple of the courts that need some patchwork on the concrete. The city said if they could not accomodate our fix-up requests that we were welcome to make the necessary improvements to the courts. We already have assembled a small team of volunteer contractors that are willing to assist in improving the playablity of the courts and the appearance. I will have some pics posted in the next few days of the facility.
Regarding the city of HB parks vs College:
WOR has already hosted various events at HB parks, and they are glad to have us here, and are going to be very acoomodating.
Regarding the facility:
It is a city park which has other sproting activities going on, but it is a GREAT venu for RB events. there is a large shaded cabana very close to the courts with picnic tables and room for Barbecuing, which is a must at an outdoor tourney in my opinion. Also in the far backcourt on each side is a 2-4foot wall with a raised grass area for spectators to set up their chairs to watch. For those who are traveling a distance to come to the upcoming events, I believe you WILL NOT be dissapointed. For all the local folks, come out to the tourney in June to see and play, then give the RB world your honest opinions of the facility. I think you will be glad that WOR has decided to build a great relationship with Surf City USA.
For all you veterans it is time to turn the wheel of change...for the betterness of WOR and outdoor racquetball!!
Chat soon.
