Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Belle Isle Handball 2011 A-B Tournament

Belle Isle Handball 2011 A-B Tournament

Sponsored by DetroitYES.com and Motorvation Drive and

Saturday, September 10, 2011
Belle Isle Handball Courts, Detroit, MI

Join the fun and competition of our 3rd summer’s end A-B doubles tournament on beautiful Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. Well almost. Mother Nature had other plans...

Belle Isle Handball 2011 A-B Tournament Results

Rain forced a last minute change and the tournament was moved indoors to Total Sports in Mt. Clemens thanks to the accommodation of its handball player owners, the Straetman brothers.

Congratulations to Pete Dembeck and Ron Iles who won a hard fought three game match over runner-ups Kyle Casey and Jack DiGiovanni. Congrats to consolation round winners Pete Brown and Jerry Rynkowski who triumphed over PK Sims and Ken Luchkovitz.


Kyle Casey lines up for one his many kill shots as the ball comes off the back wall.


A scrambling Pete Dembeck, recovered ball in hand, retrieves a passing shot from the deep right corner.


Partner Ron Iles lines up a shot off the back wall.


Jack DiGiovanni digs a shot in the left court.


Pete Dembeck lines up his trademark overhand fist-killshot toward its low front right corner target.


Kyle Casey demonstrates his picture-perfect form as he steps into a kill shot attempt.

Belle Isle Handball 2011 A-B Tournament Results 2011 Pairings and Start Times

KEN LUCHKOVITZ / PK SIMS II
10:00 AM VS
GLENN PARASKEVIN / TONY DESANTIS

HANK KOZAK / STU SHEVIN
11:00 AM VS
PAT OLIVER / MITCH OLIVER

PETE DEMBECK / RON ISLES
10:00 AM VS
PETE BROWN / JERRY RYNKOWSKI

RICK LEONARD / CHARLEY
10:00 AM VS
CHRIS MONSOUR / LOGAN SIEGEL

BARRY DOAN / ANGUS MCINTYRE
10:00 AM VS
KYLE CASEY / JACK DIGIOVANNI

BOB BALCH / PAUL
11:00 AM VS
MARK STUTRUD / CARL HARLOW

ED GREEN / MIKE FROELICH
10:00 AM VS
BILL SIDEBOTTOM JR & SR

DAN COSTELLO / BOB PLATER
10:00 AM VS
NIC BOILEAU / LOWELL BOILEAU

WINNER OF ABOVE MATCH
VS
LANNY GREEN / BOB KOZAK

$20 Entry Fee includes T-shirt, food, soft drinks and beer. Special [surprise] prizes for 1nd and 2nd places and for 1st place of the consolation round. How can you beat that?

Teams will be assigned by the “Commissioner” Bob Kozak to create balance – strongest player paired with the weakest player, next strongest with next weakest, etc. All teams will play a minimum of two matches. If a team is eliminated it will play in the consolation round.

Updates, photos and results will also be archived at www.DetroitYES.com/handball.

Monday, August 15, 2011

2011 State 3 Wall Results

MHA State Singles 3-Wall Handball Tournament Held at Belle Isle, Detroit, on August 13, 2011
  • Open – Pete Brown over Pete Dembeck
  • 50’s – Joe Ivy over Chris Monsour
  • 60’s – Ed Green over Jim Lowe
  • 70’s – Norm Young over Dave Dodds
  • B - Jeff Knake over Ted Gramattico

Report by Bob Plater

THANKS to Bill Cantwell, Dale Chimenti and John Schandevel for their great planning, preparing and making possible an amazing day of competition at Belle Isle. Food, drinks, picnic tables, port-a-johns and court reservations don't just happen magically. Bill, Dale and John have been doing this for many years, for which we, the MHA members, say "Thank You".

THE OPEN
What a great event! What a line-up! How about these pairings: Karner/Dembeck, Dembeck/Oliver, Williams/Leonard, Williams/Brown, Brown/Dembeck. Any one of these matches, all of which were played, would have been a good final.

Dembeck was outstanding getting by Pat Oliver and Jim Karner. Likewise, Pete Brown was amazing getting by Bret Williams.

Dembeck and Brown, both, wanted to play the finals on Saturday, even though they were both exhausted after the semi’s. Dembeck, hopefully, said he would rather play Brown when he is tired, rather than give him a day to refresh. Pete Brown, trailing 14-20 in the first game against Pete Dembeck, got the serve, went in, and served out the game, several aces bending around the back corners of the walls. This seemed to lift his confidence for the second game, which was a great contest with Brown overpowering Dembeck for the title.

This was Pete Brown's 18th, 3-wall State Open Singles Championship. No one else is close to this achievement, nor is it likely that anyone will ever be able to duplicate it.

GOLDEN MASTERS (50+)
Joe Ivy won the 50's title over Chris Mansour in three games. Dan Costello and Barry Doan were semi-finalists, both fighting hard before bowing out.

SUPER MASTERS (60+)
Ed Green defeated three highly regarded players, all in one day, on his way to winning the championship in this division: Tom Michael, Rick Graham and Jim Lowe. Green and Lowe, having played matches seemingly all day, 10AM to 6PM, were exhausted in their 11-6 tie-breaker.

DIAMOND MASTERS (70+)
Norm Young wins again. Dave Dodds took second.

B
B - Jeff Knake over Ted Gramattico.

Monday, July 18, 2011

MHA at Metro Detroit Youth Day

On Wednesday July 13, 2011, the Michigan Handball Association participated in the 29th annual Metro Detroit Youth Day on Detroit’s Belle Isle. The goal of Youth Day is to bring together Metro Detroit area youngsters from diverse backgrounds for a constructive day of fun, food, and education. The event brings together more than 35,000 children ages 8 – 15, and volunteers for a free day of sports, games, contests, motivational speakers, entertainment, scholarship opportunities, information booths, and other various activities.

This year’s Youth Day included beginner lessons in handball provided by Michigan Handball Association volunteers at the Belle Isle handball courts. Volunteers successfully taught the fundamentals and rules of handball to approximately 65 – 75 children. Volunteering on behalf of the MHA were Pat and Bill Cantwell, Dale Chimenti, Kyle Casey, Dennis Berger, Joe Ivy, Keith Thode, Tom Pfingst, Vic Battani, and Warren McAlpine. The MHA would like to officially thank this year’s volunteers for their participation and for a job well done.

The MHA plans to participate in this Youth Day in the future to help grow the sport of handball and offer today’s youth a constructive form of fun and exercise. Please contact the MHA office if you would like to be a part of the 2012 Metro Detroit Youth Day.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

2011 State 3 Wall Doubles Results

Open – Williams / Osburn over Oliver / Sidebottom

50+ = Ivy / Early round robin winner

60+ = Graham / Love over Michael / Luchkovitz

Click here for Tournament Charts

Friday, June 24, 2011

SCS Handball-Racketball Treaty + Belle Isle Schedule


Attached hereto is the 2011 schedule for the outdoor courts in St. Clair Shores. This schedule of court use was agreed to by the Handball Committee, the Raquetball Committee, and the St. Clair Shores Recreation Department. Any questions should be directed to Chris Monsour.

- MHA via Patrick Cantwell

Belle Isle Summer 3-Wall Guide

Play is very informal and friendly, yet still competitive, on Belle Isle with the goal of encouraging all, especially new players, but some protocols have evolved.
  • Players gather on Monday - Wednesday - Friday's starting at 4 PM*.
  • No reservations required. Show up and you play in order of arrival.
  • Doubles has precedence over Singles when players are waiting. But there are usually plenty of courts in back if singles is a must.
  • Player strengths vary from newbie to top notch, so there is an effort made to balance doubles teams and include all.
  • Winners of matches hold court, next pair in line play them.
  • Drinking fountain is inconsistent so you are advised to bring your own fluids.
  • After match 'fluids' are common so pencil in some time for a drink and some natter.
  • Racquetball player gather on Tuesday & Thursdays afternoons. We have good relations with them and our unspoken treaty is that if we play on those days we cede the front courts to them and they to us on our days.
*Play often occurs on Saturdays and Sunday mornings but those are usual word-of-mouth gatherings.

Come and join us. All are welcome.

Lowell

Metro Detroit Youth Day - Belle Isle July 13

Thanks for volunteering for the Metro Detroit Youth Day. Attached hereto is a flyer for the event and a parking pass that you can print to get on the Island that day.

Not sure what to expect in the way of kids visiting the handball courts, but basically my plan is to present some instruction and demonstration. Dennis Berger and I are USHA certified instructors and will lead the way.

We could still use some younger blood so feel free to solicit more volunteers.

Bill Cantwell

Click here for printable vehicle pass to get onto Belle Isle.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Thursday, May 12, 2011

"Freezing" your LA Fitness Membership for the Summer

As I recently froze my LA Fitness membership for the summer I thought I would share the policy I learned about as so many of us are now members.
  • You may freeze your membership, thus avoiding paying another initiation fee, by agreeing to pay a $10 per month holding fee during the freeze.

  • Requests to freeze your account must be made 10 or more days prior to next payment. Otherwise you must make full payment for the next month and the freeze will begin after that paid period.

  • Your membership will remain active until the end of the period for which you are currently fully paid.

  • You may un-freeze your account at anytime.

  • Payment will then be pro-rated for the time from which you un-freeze your account until the start of your next monthly full-payment date.
So save some money, maybe buy some new balls, [hint, hint] and I will see you on the island.

Changes to the Toledo 3 Wall Courts from the Toledo Handball Club

Dear Handballers,

Outdoor handball season is finally here! With the warm weather predicted this week it is time to pull the outdoor shoes out of the bottom of your handball bag and pack the cooler with beer for another great summer of 3 wall handball.

Unfortunately, as most of you know, it is not exactly business as usual at the Lucas County Rec center. As is the case with so many government operated assets these days, the County, after running significant financial deficits over the last decade, has pulled out of the management of the Rec Center and has leased the property to a private property management enterprise called Line Drive Sportz. While a necessary move for the county, it is a tremendous loss for those of us who have enjoyed using the facility at no cost and had its maintenance paid for with tax dollars. With the arrival of Line Drive has come a new situation.

This property is now a privately operated “club” rather than a county park and unfortunately in the way of all private property the managers are demanding a fee based use system. Because nobody wants to be locked out of the grounds when we show up for a game, or disappoint the USHA who counts on our support to secure the facility’s use for its annual National Tournament, the Toledo Handball club has been meeting with Line Drive since last summer to try to establish a contract for unlimited handball use. In much the same way that Roy Hobbs Baseball, Toledo Titans Football, National Midget Car Racing, Lucas County Little League etc. have arranged, Line Drive requires a yearly rental fee for the use of its facility. We have negotiated that fee as diligently as possible and agreed to pay $4,000 for an unlimited yearly contract. Incidentally that is a 15% reduction from last year’s total paid.

While preliminary discussions included a daily admittance fee at a secured gate, we think that having unlimited use is the way to go. This brings up some obvious questions so here are some simple answers:

Q: What do we get for our $4,000?

A: Unlimited use of the concrete courts, that's it. Line Drive will mow the grass, empty the trash, provide 3-4 portable toilets, pay the insurance and provide electricity, nothing else. Understandably, these services are paltry, but Line Drive’s response is “You are not paying for our service, you are paying to use our facility.”

Q: Will we have to provide maintenance to the courts?

A: Yes, at whatever level of condition we wish to enjoy the use. Line Drive will perform any service on the courts that we request but they will charge us for their work.

Q: What about the graffiti currently on the walls?

A: THC can contract to have it removed or repainted at its expense, or we could just play on the courts without cleaning them at no additional cost, or we can contract Line Drive to paint but we will be charged for the work.

Q: Will we be charged to park?

A: No, but the new managers require that all cars must use the parking lot. No cars are allowed on the grass near the courts and no driving is allowed on the walking paths. Also no parking will be permitted on the street leading into the Rec Center off of Michigan. Parking will only be allowed in the parking lot. At this point they also claim that the Rib-Off and the State Fair exclusively rent this lot during their events and so we will have to pay these events for parking at these times or park in the local neighborhoods to avoid the fee. We are still attempting to negotiate this point.

Q: Will this affect the National Tournament?

A: Hopefully not in any noticeable way. Line Drive has committed the same availability that we have had in the past, although as a private company with exclusive control of the assets, they are not obligated to provide picnic tables, trash cans or even spectator stands especially if they have other users for these items who are willing to pay for them. They have committed to continue to allow participants to park and camp on the grounds as they have done in the past at no additional charge.

Q: What about all the other users of this facility i.e. raquetballers, walkers, basketball players, tennis etc?

A: Line Drive claims that they reserve the right to charge for their use in the future and may secure the grounds to do so, but they will leave the walking path and basketball courts free for use at this time. Like us, racquetball, and tennis players are also being charged for their use. As most of us know, the tennis courts are padlocked and only those who participate in a paid league or those who pay for an individual hourly use rate will be given the lock code. They claim that they will police the use of all of these facilities in part through a new concession/ admittance stand that will installed in the old storage shed at the entrance of the area which is to be completed this spring.

Q: This Stinks! We’ve put 35 years worth of energy, money and care into this facility, has anyone complained to the county?

A: You better believe it was our first call, but lets face it, in today's economic climate we shouldn't be surprised that in a nice politician’s voice they have repeatedly told us, “Sorry, Lucas County has no more funds for supporting this park, we have given your community’s property away to save our operating budget costs and Line Drive is now the controlling party, at least for the next 4 years.” At the end of their contract, the county could choose not to renew the deal with Line Drive but, be realistic, Lucas County is happy to be rid of this property which they have repeatedly told us operated at a $100,000+ annual deficit. This property is going to be privately managed for the foreseeable future.

Q: How do I pay my fair share so I can keep playing handball all summer long?

A: On behalf of all who plan to continue to play, Toledo Handball Club has agreed to advance your required use fee because Line Dive demands payment in advance of the season. At this time we are requesting that every player who intends to use the courts this season repay THC for its prepayment on your behalf. The requested amount is $100 per person per year. While expensive, it is probably way less than you have paid all winter to play indoors. We realize that this is an increase from last year’s fee of $50 but frankly we came up very short last year mostly because not every user actually paid the requested fee last year and nobody wants to be the payment enforcement police. This year if everybody helps spread the word and encourage others to be honest and fair and everybody pays their share we should have sufficient funds to offset THC’s commitment. Whether you plan to play just occasionally on the weekends or 5 times a week the requested amount is the same. This is not a donation. We all know there are plenty or requests already. This is your court time/ use fee which will be paid to the facility managers. Any additional money will also be used to make repairs as needed so the courts remain the finest in the area.

Q: I live out of town and only use the courts on occasional visits. $100 seems pretty steep. Is there an out of town rate?

A: Yes. We all want to encourage the great handball talent that visits Toledo and improves the level of competition. Some of the best matches of the year are made possible by the players from, Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Chicago etc. As a result, if you live outside of a 50 mile radius from the Lucas Count Rec Center we request that you pay a reduced fee of only $50 for the season for your court time. Because local players get more use of the courts, the local player’s contributions will offset this reduction to encourage you to still visit us. Additionally, for players who are just passing through and plan to play no more than 3 times this year we invite you to play at no charge as a guest of the Toledo Handball Club. Furthermore to encourage the growth of our sport, all juniors will be invited to play as our guest also free of charge.

There aren't too many ways to spin this situation to make it seem like a good thing. It’s crummy to have to pay for something we have enjoyed for free for so many years and especially for something that we have invested in many times over but it is a modern reality.

If you don't want to pay to play, we understand and you will be missed. We need all the players we can get to make our game fun. If you do plan to play, and the by the way, the weather forecast calls for a much awaited glorious stretch and warm playable handball temperatures this week; please make your check out to Toledo Handball Club c/o George Miller and send it to immediately to 316 N. Fulton St., Swanton OH 43058 or hand it to Shain Buerk, Rick Stevens, Phil Kirk or George Miller as soon as possible. Obviously THC does not have the financial resources to allow it to front your fees for very long. We don't want to write any rubber checks.

We hate being Line Drive Sportz’s collectors. Please do not put THC in the uncomfortable position of chasing you down to pay your bill. Please forward this email to anyone who you think is intending to play this season to save them and us the uncomfortable embarrassment of demanding payment when they show up to play. Lastly, if you want more information feel free to contact Shain Buerk or George Miller. Don’t shoot the messenger. We do not enjoy being the negotiators on all of our behalves. It has been a year long pain in the neck but we realize that if we want to play somebody had to do it. If you would like to take over that roll, please consider yourself nominated. We welcome your help. We will happily put you in touch with Al Seegur and Line Drive Sportz or even Lucas County if you want to pursue that angle. Until then, the situation is as described above.

Cant wait to see you on the courts this summer.

Shain Buerk
George Miller