Racquetball: A game with the pros

The main player in this video is Kane Waselenchuk and he is the #1 player on the IRT.

The professional racquetball players play in the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). The IRT host many tournaments all over the states. The biggest IRT tournament is the US Open and every year they have a minimum of 700 people playing. The IRT also host invitational tournaments that only the top 15 guys in the world can play at unless you get an invitation. The rules in the IRT are different than in Canada because the IRT plays best of 5 games to 11, instead of playing best of 3 games to 15 and having a tiebreaker to 11.

Racquetball: Canadian Ranking System

Canada has a very specific ranking system when it comes to racquetball. When you first start playing racquetball, you apply for your account on r2sports. The first time your ranking will show up, you will be in last place. In order to move up in rankings you have to beat a person who is ahead of you twice in a row. If you beat them twice, you will move to their spot of ranking and they move behind you but, if you win one and lose one you have to win two to get their ranking. For example, Player 1 is ranked 123 and Player 2 is ranked 21. Player 1 plays Player 2 one game and beats them but the next game they play Player 1 loses. Player 1 will stay ranked in the same place and will not be tracking Player 2 anymore. The next tourney they play Player 1 beats Player 2 in a game so, Player 1 is now tracking Player 2's ranking. The next game they play Player 1 pulls off another win so, the next time they update the rankings Player 1 will be one spot ahead of Player 2.

Volleyball Positions

In volleyball the 3 positions are setter, power, and middle. The setters plays on the right side of the court, one their jobs is take the second ball and set up the power or middle hitter. The powers play on the left side of the court, one of their jobs is to pass the ball up to the setters and spike/hit the ball at the other team. The middles plays in the middle of the court between the powers and the setters. One of the middles jobs is to pass the ball up to the setter, hit/spike if the ball is set to them and block the other teams hits at the net.

Volleyball

Volleyball is also a fast paced game. In volleyball there is only 6 players on the court at a time. There are usually 2 setters, 2 powers (left side hitters) and 2 middles. In volleyball each team is allowed 3 hits to get the ball over the net. If the team can not get the ball over the net they lose the point and the other team gets to serve the ball. To play volleyball you need knee pads, runners and a volleyball. 

How to Field Pop Flies & Grounders

In Softball when catching pop flies and grounders you need to make sure that you have the proper mechanics. When catching a pop fly; you must make sure that you track and are under the ball, run with your glove folded against your chest not with your arm out, and lastly use both hands to catch the ball. When catching a grounder; make sure that you are facing toward the ball and as the ball is coming toward you keep your glove in front of you and guide the ball into you glove and cover it with your other hand.

Softball Pitching

In softball there are many different types of pitches, such as; fastballs, curve balls, rise balls, 

change ups, and drop balls.             

• Fast Ball; a fastball is exactly what it sounds like, its a fast pitch. This is usually the first pitch a pitcher learns. To throw a fastball you will want to grip the across the laces with your fingers and use your legs for maximum force, then snap you wrist when you release and follow through. 
• Curve Ball; a curve ball is a type of pitch in which the pitcher twists their wrist as they release the ball. This causes the ball to spin and curve which makes it extremely difficult for the batter to hit.
• Rise Ball; the rise ball is the most difficult pitch to master. In order to pitch a rise ball the pitcher must hold the ball with their ring and middle finger closest to the laces. Then the pitcher must dig their ring finger into the lace and placing your thumb on top of the ball when you start to release. Next you must quickly turn your hand so it is facing up. This causes the ball to rise as it reaches the plate.
• Change Up; a change up is used to keep the batter off balance. In order to throw this pitch the pitcher must hold the ball deeper in their hand and grip their fingers around the ball. When the pitcher releases the ball they must make sure that they do not snap their wrists but still fully follow throw. This causes the ball to slow down and throw off the batter because they will be expecting a fastball.
• Drop Ball; is when the pitcher throws the and it drops right before it crosses the plate. Its basically the same motion as a fastball but instead you grip the ball parallel to the laces. You want to keep your elbows tight, stand up straight and snap the ball as it releases your hand. This causes the ball to make a downward spiral and throws the batter off.

                                                                     

   

Racquetballs: The different speeds and kinds

There are many different kinds of racquetballs depending on what you are wanting them for. 

• The first kind of racquetballs are intended for Recreational playing. These are the blue balls and they are be made by Propenn, Ektelon, Dunlop, Wilson and Gearbox. They come in cans of three. 
• The second kind of racquetballs are intended for rally play. These are the black balls and they are made by Ektelon and Gearbox. With the Ektelon  balls you can buy them by 2 ball cans, 3 ball cans and a box of 72 balls. With the Gearbox balls you can buy the in cans of three. 
• The third kind of racquetballs are intended for if you want a faster ball then the blue ones. These balls are also used for the Junior World events every year. They are the green balls and are made by Propenn. They come in cases of 72 or a can of three. 
• The fourth kind of racquetballs are intended for the Professional Tours(IRT & WRT). They are the purple balls and are made by Propenn. These balls come in cans of three.
• The fifth kind of racquetballs are intended for outdoor racquetball. The are the red and orange balls and are made by Ektelon, Propenn, and Prokennex. With the Ektelon balls you can buy them in cans of three. The Propenn balls can be bought in cans of three. The Prokennex balls can be bought in cans of two. 
• The sixth kind of racquetballs are intended for raising money for breast cancer and are very good for visibility. They are the pink balls and are made by Wilson. You can buy these balls in cans of three or in boxes of thirty-six. 
• The seventh and last kind of racquetball is intended for the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT). These balls are half red and half blue and are made by Propenn. You can buy them in cans of three.