Outdoor Racquetball Courts

[roob1]

I am sure there are many former racquetball players here in TV. Have any of you wondered why there are no 3 wall outdoor courts in TV? They are not that uncommon in Florida.

Maybe because of no perceived interest?

[davem4616]

The Morse Family is on record saying that they listen....so apparently there hasn't been enough folks asking for racquetball courts

[Topspinmo]

Some behind ladylake library in the sports complex, also some in Ocala. I too wonder why?

[Stu from NYC]

older folks having slower reaction time and afraid of accidents?

[davem4616]

older folks having slower reaction time and afraid of accidents?


very true....all ya have to do is to look at all the gates that get knocked down and all the light poles knocked over on BV and Morse and you can tell some of us are getting a little slow on the uptake

maybe the Enrichment Academy (or whatever it's being called now) should offer safe driver training at no cost

[vintageogauge]

I think they listen, they no longer put horseshoe pits at the neighborhood pools, replaced by bean toss. Much safer to say the least.

[Topspinmo]

older folks having slower reaction time and afraid of accidents?

Not all of us are old and decrepited.

[Topspinmo]

very true....all ya have to do is to look at all the gates that get knocked down and all the light poles knocked over on BV and Morse and you can tell some of us are getting a little slow on the uptake

maybe the Enrichment Academy (or whatever it's being called now) should offer safe driver training at no cost

They need to consider the younger generation that are prospective buyers with their interests, golf not as popular as with the older generation. Beside the 3 wall hand ball courts would be popular with ex-convicts living with ________?:duck:

[Stu from NYC]

Not all of us are old and decrepited.

Not a question of old and decrepit the ball does come off the front wall rather fast. Was just a thought in any case. If they had courts would probably start playing again.

[Stu from NYC]

I think they listen, they no longer put horseshoe pits at the neighborhood pools, replaced by bean toss. Much safer to say the least.

Guess they didnt need horseshoes for the horses around here either:bigbow:

[Red White & Blue]

Maybe you can find a listing of play using keywords "Handball Courts"....

[Altavia]

I am sure there are many former racquetball players here in TV. Have any of you wondered why there are no 3 wall outdoor courts in TV? They are not that uncommon in Florida.

Maybe because of no perceived interest?

In case not aware, Platform Tennis incorporates elements of racquetball when playing the ball off the screens.

[Topspinmo]

In case not aware, Platform Tennis incorporates elements of racquetball when playing the ball off the screens.

I alway wondered why the called it platform tennis? Not played with racket but paddle? :shocked:

[Topspinmo]

Not a question of old and decrepit the ball does come off the front wall rather fast. Was just a thought in any case. If they had courts would probably start playing again.

I’d there was ever sport that could put you’re eye out it’s racketball. Safety glasses a must!:super:

[Polar Bear]

I love racquetball, but not likely to appear in TV imho.

Hard smashes with not-so-forgiving ball. Lots of hard direction changes to cover back court and side courts and then to get right back up front again. Not like any other racquet sport currently in TV.

Again, imho.

[thelegges]

We played Racket ball every week until coming here. Not a fan of pickle ball. Local courts would be great

[sdeikenberry]

I played racquetball for 30 years, but when I moved here I found pickleball a good alternative...and easier on my body!

[CarrieOn]

I’d love that..but I’m guessing all the rac players have gone pickle..

[Garwood1]

Racquetball courts at Too Your Health fitness gym just south of Lady Lakes on 441/27 and there are always people playing when I use the gym

[crash]

I am sure there are many former racquetball players here in TV. Have any of you wondered why there are no 3 wall outdoor courts in TV? They are not that uncommon in Florida.

Maybe because of no perceived interest?

I think it is the high humidity very easy to over heat when your sweat won’t evaporate.

[paulajr]

I think they listen, they no longer put horseshoe pits at the neighborhood pools, replaced by bean toss. Much safer to say the least.

They just last week put new horseshoe pits in behind Bradenton Rec Center....

[Bobby De]

I too was an avid racquetball player, indoor and out, and found it strange that there was no racquetball in TV. Ability is a big factor here not age. As we slow down so does the game. I moved from south Fl and there are some very, very good players that are 60+. In addition to racquetball if outdoor 3 wall (long side wall) courts were built they could also be used for handball and paddle ball players. I mentioned long side wall because they bring more player safety into the game. If they were built correctly and with the best material available they would be practically maintenance free. I'm not an organizer or social media person but racquetball is in my wheel house (even though I haven't played since 2013). I believe if a survey for racquetball and handball players was performed the interest would be very good. Not only would those courts serve the players but in a disaster or emergency they could be used as a temporary holding area for materials and/or debris.

[Mel6054]

My racquetball days are over.

[graciegirl]

Oh Good Morning.

Daughter Helene's favorite mantra. We can't have everything we want.

Mine is; it costs money you know to have every little whim satisfied.

AND my opinion.....I think we know what will happen and not happen.

I am satisfied about everything thing here but still surprised that there is no pencil sharpener in the Art Rooms.

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

Aaa offers safe driving classes. Small cost but you get a discount on part of your auto insurance.

[Bogie Shooter]

I too was an avid racquetball player, indoor and out, and found it strange that there was no racquetball in TV. Ability is a big factor here not age. As we slow down so does the game. I moved from south Fl and there are some very, very good players that are 60+. In addition to racquetball if outdoor 3 wall (long side wall) courts were built they could also be used for handball and paddle ball players. I mentioned long side wall because they bring more player safety into the game. If they were built correctly and with the best material available they would be practically maintenance free. I'm not an organizer or social media person but racquetball is in my wheel house (even though I haven't played since 2013). I believe if a survey for racquetball and handball players was performed the interest would be very good. Not only would those courts serve the players but in a disaster or emergency they could be used as a temporary holding area for materials and/or debris.

Recreation Administration
984 Old Mill Run
The Villages, FL 32162

Phone: 352-674-1800
Fax: 352-674-1805

[cegallup]

As a 40+ year veteran of four-wall indoor handball, I wouldn't be concerned with getting hit with that "squishy" ball. (eyeguards) I WOULD be concerned with FOUR elderly people running around swinging those racquets ! I love racquetball, but not likely to appear in TV imho.

Hard smashes with not-so-forgiving ball. Lots of hard direction changes to cover back court and side courts and then to get right back up front again. Not like any other racquet sport currently in TV.

Again, imho.

[KarenD]

Hi Village People - Lol!

I am Karen, I live in Newberry, FL (just west of Gainesville). I joined your forums this past spring because I own a rental home in a 55+ community in Gainesville and was looking for ideas, information, inspiration as a landlord. I have since rented the home but I receive the Talk of the Village forum daily in my email. It is my wish to live there one day so I am thrilled to be a part of your community in some small way for the time being.

I saw your post about racquetball and my eyes lit up!! I love racquetball! I am 55 years old myself. When I was 51 I started a racquetball group in Gainesville and now, 4 years later, I have well over a hundred members. What I want to say is that racquetball is alive and well and I have members who are in their 60's and 70's and they are some of the hardest players to beat. You do have to be in shape to play or you can get hurt but even going to a court alone and hitting the ball is good exercise, or just playing a light game. Eye protection, a wrist strap, and sneakers with good traction is a must.

I do not know what TV offers in the way of racquetball but I was hoping that there were courts there, I would think a community such as TV would offer enclosed, air conditioned courts. I know that On Top of The World in Ocala has courts.
If you are interested in playing you can always go to the Ocala YMCA, they have nice courts.

Check out my site: GainesvilleRacquetballMeetup.com.

On day I will be living there and I will be the voice of racquetball for TV, as I have been in Gainesville. I meet with Parks and Recreation Managers on a somewhat frequent basis to make sure that they are keeping our courts cleaned out and cared for. When the city was threatening to tear down the courts we played on I fought them and they have built us two brand new courts.

I am glad to hear that there are some residents there that play!
Keep on playing, if you don't use it you'll lose it :-)

Best regards,
Karen

[bowlingal]

try platform tennis.... play off the cages walls.

[bowlingal]

play platform tennis!

[La lamy]

I couldn't find single tennis partners because everybody felt it was too hard on their body. Can't imagine you'd find enough racquetball players to make it worth while to build a bunch of courts.

[Topspinmo]

Oh Good Morning.

Daughter Helene's favorite mantra. We can't have everything we want.

Mine is; it costs money you know to have every little whim satisfied.

AND my opinion.....I think we know what will happen and not happen.

I am satisfied about everything thing here but still surprised that there is no pencil sharpener in the Art Rooms.

Really, but can get 120 thousand shade roof for dog park or 80 plus thousand toilet at gate that didn’t have one for 40 plus years.

[harold63G]

I played handball...same court specs. Looked for courts. Nearest I could find: 6 in Lady Lake by their baseball complex (near the Library). For some reason those courts are not regulation size...at least it seemed to me...why would they do that???
So I went to the 2 in Fruitland Park near the municipal bldgs. The Villages High School had two courts near their athletic complex. Went to check them out...maintenance man working outdoors directed me to them BUT said they were not being used due to "no interest". They were being used for storing bags of materials...full...maybe stuff for ground maint? Regardless I considered going to school admin. to check for interest in volunteers offering free instruction/clincs in racquetball and handball for students/staff, etc. in exchange for privileges to use the courts. Suspect that might be a "hard sell"...liability, etc. Perhaps a class for everyone via the Enrichment Academy. Seems a waste to let the courts just "sit there". Regarding encouraging Rec. Dept to build some. I think that might be possible...no really :-).
Our former neighbor, Joe Russo, went to Rec. Dept. about platform tennis..there was none here. There is now becasue of Joe's efforts. Pitched and sold the idea. Courts we want would be more multipurpose - racquetball, handball, and I've seen tennis players in them practicing their ground strokes. I don't know but I supect the life cycle costs of our courts would be less expensive than the platform courts?

[jimjamuser]

I think it is the high humidity very easy to over heat when your sweat won’t evaporate.
If that were the reason, then there would be no tennis courts. Racketball is decreasing in popularity and the court may be expensive to construct. Pickleball is increasing in popularity, so it may be more logical to put the resources there.

[Chi-Town]

I played handball...same court specs. Looked for courts. Nearest I could find: 6 in Lady Lake by their baseball complex (near the Library). For some reason those courts are not regulation size...at least it seemed to me...why would they do that???
So I went to the 2 in Fruitland Park near the municipal bldgs. The Villages High School had two courts near their athletic complex. Went to check them out...maintenance man working outdoors directed me to them BUT said they were not being used due to "no interest". They were being used for storing bags of materials...full...maybe stuff for ground maint? Regardless I considered going to school admin. to check for interest in volunteers offering free instruction/clincs in racquetball and handball for students/staff, etc. in exchange for privileges to use the courts. Suspect that might be a "hard sell"...liability, etc. Perhaps a class for everyone via the Enrichment Academy. Seems a waste to let the courts just "sit there". Regarding encouraging Rec. Dept to build some. I think that might be possible...no really :-).
Our former neighbor, Joe Russo, went to Rec. Dept. about platform tennis..there was none here. There is now becasue of Joe's efforts. Pitched and sold the idea. Courts we want would be more multipurpose - racquetball, handball, and I've seen tennis players in them practicing their ground strokes. I don't know but I supect the life cycle costs of our courts would be less expensive than the platform courts?

Handball is a big sport at the Y's. Not sure if it's the case here

[Altavia]

I alway wondered why the called it platform tennis? Not played with racket but paddle? :shocked:

In the northeast where the game originated, PT is played on a raised platform heated to remove snow. In some places it is called paddleball and is played with a paddle.

[Bobby De]

The positives to outdoor courts are that they would be multi-purpose (very versatile), practically maintenance free (if constructed using best materials available) and last for decades to come. Other uses can be; I've played on outdoor 3 wall (long and short side walled) courts and had the opportunity to participate in racquetball, handball, paddleball events. I've used and seen others use the 3' line on the front wall as a pickleball net to practice dinking and get the feeling for keeping the ball just at or slightly above it as do tennis players. Just wanted to reinforce your multi-purpose and maintenance free statements.