RACQUETBALL Magazine ONLINE

March - April 1997: Volume 8, Number 2


CHANGING TIMES

by Luke St. Onge


22 Inch Racquets to Become Legal September 1, 1997
At the request of the Racquetball Manufacturers Industry, the USRA Board recently approved an increase in racquet length from 21" to 22" to take effect September 1, 1997.

Following a similar trend in tennis, the USRA Board of Directors voted unanimously to allow 22" racquets to be used in sanctioned play. After considerable study and a Rules Committee vote of six to one in favor of recommending the new racquet specification, the revision to rule 2.4(a) was approved. It was felt that the one inch extension will bring new excitement to the sport -- not unlike the introduction of oversized frames to the market in 1984. Safety was not at issue in the decision, based on a comparison to North American squash, which is played within a smaller court area using an even longer racquet. But increased ball speed may yet become a factor. If so, the USRA would consider slowing down the ball for sanctioned play.

USRA Hall of Fame to embrace entire sport
The USRA Board also voted to broaden the recognition of its Hall of Fame to include the entire sport. Potential inductees will now be considered on the basis of athletic accomplishments not only at the amateur level, but for current and former professional career achievements as well. In the contributors category, nominees will be considered for work in areas of the sport other than those governed by the USRA.


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