Racquetball was invented by Joe Sobek in 1949 on a
Connecticut handball court. Seeking a game with fast pace that was easy to
learn, Sobek designed the first short strung paddle, devised rules combining the
basics of handball and squash, and named his modification "paddle rackets." His
experiment was an overnight success, the sport caught on quickly and has since
evolved into racquetball as we know it today.
By the early 70's, court clubs could be found in
every state and the sport enjoyed a rapid and steady rise in popularity. As
Americans sought new and challenging athletic activities, the timing was perfect
for racquetball -- courts were accessible nationwide and the sport was fun and
easy to learn. The late 70's and early 80's saw racquetball become one of the
fastest growing sports in America as thousands of new racquetball courts were
built to satisfy the demand.
But the sport saturated the market and reached its
peak in the mid-80's, when many clubs either closed their doors or began
converting courts to other uses. But by 1987 the decline leveled off and
racquetball regained a steady, manageable growth rate.
From an original core group of loyal enthusiasts,
participation has stabilized at 5.6 million American players who enjoy the sport
each year.
Internationally, the sport has also attained great
heights in its short history -- with World Championships held bi-annually since
1981, the addition of five International Olympic Committee approved events and
its debut as a Pan American Games Sport in 1995.
Now in a new century, times are exciting for the
sport of racquetball. With increasing exposure to a growing market of
recreational and competitive players -- combined with the sport's proven track
record of steady annual growth and the promise of achieving the "Olympic Dream"
-- racquetball is well positioned for the future.
