The latest controversy that shocked the small world of racquetball has occured.  No drugs were involved this time, no suspensions, nothing like that.  A player *GASP* took advantage of the rules.  It was a player from the USA that took advantage of a rule that says that you have to have your country's name on the back of your shirt (Rule 2.5b).  Akin to a jersy of sorts.  Sure enough, the tried and true "not good for racquetball" phrase was mentioned.  Running the forums, I hear this a bunch.  As you can tell, since this has occured, the growth of racquetball has totally stopped.  In fact, people are laying down their racquets and starting to play korphball, chessboxing and my favorite Calvinball. 

I think this is a bigger issue than this one match. Everyone in racquetball looks at racquetball and deems what could be or what could not be "good for the sport". I think if we stopped worrying about it, we'd stop tip toeing around so much and just enjoy playing a game. I think it's halarious how some people won't come on the MNP forums because they are afraid of backlash or even that their REAL opinions be known. I understand not wanting to have tireless debates with anonymous people, but seriously...grow a backbone! Throw your opinion into the ring, and stand by it. You'll be surprised at what happens.

I'm waiting for the day when someone in racquetball becomes a "rebel" and just starts spouting whatever they want, maybe in front of cameras. Could you imagine if instead of these nice interviews on the local news (AKA Jack's 2006 US Open Interview on Fox - sorry Jack), you had a racquetball "rebel" in a demanding fasion spouting that they would win the current tournament. Maybe they make some claims about how their opponents are weak. How they cheat, and how nothing is going to stop them from winning? Sure, that might be seen as negative, but it sure will get some interest. Sheesh, racquetball is small, so everyone tip toes around afraid of ruffling some feathers. You think other sports give a rats ass about this stuff? Puuu-leease.

Is it funny that I think we need more opinions, even negative in nature? The negative or controversial posts get people thinking. It gets people off their feet to want to do something about it. It gets people even re-posting their opinions (AKA Shane with his one post per year) to further our game. When someone posts something negative about something that I've accomplished, I get a little angry about the sting, but I put it into focus. I ask myself, should/could/would I do anything different?  Then I act accordingly.  Maybe they were out of line, maybe I should have done something different.  The thing is someone cared enough to actually complain about it and if it's contructive than it should get you thinking.