So, Saturday I had the privilege to play on 2 brand new, glass back wall, courts in Centralia IL. They are at the new fitness center on the Kaskaskia College campus just west of Centralia. One of the guys that plays at Salem is the President of KC and invited us to come out for the "inaugural" play. I put the first black marks on both courts.....rubbed them off with a ball though.

I have to say they are nice and the whole fitness center is very nice. They said they will be available for a daily fee or as a student as well.....

If you are anywhere near you should look into getting over. I will post some pictures later as my wife took a bunch of pics for us as well as some video.....

:mrgreen:
I'm green with envy. As I'm sure many others are.

bringing this thread up.. I posted a tournament that is coming up. It will be Friday and Saturday, October 15th and 16th at KC. I hope that some of you Saint Louis area players might make it over. It would be so nice to have some new blood as the players I expect are the ones I play with every week now....

come out and play!

Alright, I made it to 1st in the Mens B singles. We had a few new players and it was a great small tournament. We had 11 in the mens B, 4 women in a C group. We needed some more C players as we had 3 in B's that should have been lower, but just not enough to make it a separate bracket for us...

Saw your post about 2 new courts. I'm a little west of you, play mainly at Scott AFB. In this area, there are two other paces with courts as well, O'Fallon and Edwardsville YMCAs. O'Fallon is the more active of the two. Perhaps we can arrange a meet and play, individual or coleective? As to your Head 170 stringing question:

1. You use thin string(17ga or lighter), play a lot and hit/serve hard. In this case, two weeks is not abnormal.
2. You hit a lot of balls near the top of the racquet. The string can't "give" and it snaps off. This called shear breakage.
3. Whoever does your stringing is using the machines tensioner to finish the tie-off knot. This is an absolute no-no. It crimps the string.
4. There might be crossed=over strings when making the tie-offs, causing it to sit high against the grommet and then the string rubs on playing surfaces, wearing down prematurely. This unlikely based on the grommet design in this racquet.

I'll look it over next time it breaks(while the string is still in the racquet) if you would like. I've done about 90% of the string jobs that Lawler Sports has put out at the National Singles and US Open over the past 4-5 years and have 20, 000 racquets of experience. Call if you want. Thanks!

Ralph Kusche
618-667-8041

Hi, thanks for the reply and invite. I would love to set something up sometime. I could stand to make a trip over that way to get some window tint and might look at Friday to do that. I could be over that way to meet up at Ofallon or even Scott if I could get in by 4 or so. I have wanted to check out Scott but since I just got out of the AF and didn't retire I no longer have an ID. I know Scott was pretty easy to get on years ago though...

Let me know if you want to set it up...

Thank you,
Ryker Moore
618-231-0230

couldn't get the PM to send....

I would be interested in something like that too. I'm in Carbondale. My partner and I (A level) are always looking for someone/somewhere to play. Are you guys having leagues/challenge ladders or anything like that. What caliber of players are up there? Great news on new courts, that's rare! Jared Nessland

Jared, I would take it you play at SIU. I was in there in the early 90's for a tour. At this time the play at Centralia is mostly students that are new players. My "group" plays mostly at Salem Health and Fitness. The courts there are old but pretty solid. We have players that have done well in the A level over at Saint Louis and and others that are B level as I seem to fit at this time....

I would love to have a chance to come meet up with you all down there sometime. The group at Salem play far too much Doubles for me. The worst part is that we switch out partners all the time and it makes it hard to really gain skill.

We have a challenge Ladder at Salem, but no one seems to be interested in playing it. The only time it changes is at our tournaments. We are going to have another tourney in March at H&F. It will likely be a trophy only tournament, but we would love new "blood" to come up.

The guys just played at Centralia this weekend again. I missed it this time as I was in Terre Haute.

Drop me a line and we can try to get something together for play...

Yes, I play at SIU. Sounds good and keep me posted. Wasn't aware that there were courts in Salem (or anywhere around Carbondale - new to the area). HOw many courts do you have? Keep me updated on the tournament in March, I'd definately come up to that.

When and for how long do you guys play in Salem? I would drive up once in a while if it was worth it. Or meet you in Centralia if you have a decent group that goes over.

Thinking about going to the Pinchshot tourney in two weeks, if your there make sure and introduce yourself.

Thanks, jared

Friday night, March 18, and Saturday, March 19 will be the Salem Tournament. Last year was a round robin set up for us and made for a ton of play. It is a small town event, but good times none the less. Snacks, pizza, and plenty of drinks.

My group play normally on Monday, and Wednesday nights from 4:45/5:00pm and play for a couple hours normally. We have 4 to 9 players depending on how life is going. We also will play on Saturday mornings and usually 8am.

Salem has 2 courts. It is a small fitness center compared to what you have at SIU for certain, but it is nice enough for small town. They charge $5 for a daily and $2.50 for racquetball....so $7.50 for a day.

email me if you want and I can get you on the player email listing....
lildetails at yahoo.com

I would love to make a trip one of these days down there if you would. Bring my wife, boy, and be able to hit Quatro's Pizza for our meal while there....love it.