A multi-generational group of some 70 Hardballers, from their mid-20’s to mid-80’s, from all over the country, gathered for the 2008 Hardball Singles National Championships in Philadelphia, over the Feb. 22-24 weekend. The Hardball Championships were the culmination of a 10 tournament season that witnessed a continued resurgence of hardball singles play, through the efforts of US Squash and the recently formed Hardball Singles Squash Committee.
The highlight of the weekend was the appearance of recent Softball World No. 1 Jonathon Power, playing Friday night on the standard hardball court against Tom Harrity (the five-time National Hardball Champion) of Philadelphia, and then, on Saturday, playing hardball on the wide court, against Gavin Jones, a top-40 ranked PSA tour player. Power wowed everyone, including Harrity and Jones, with his full array of classic hardball shots—reverse and roll corners, three wall nicks, double boasts, deft drop shots and power serves, rails and cross-courts, blowing away both, and bringing back fond memories of how great the old Mark Talbott/Sharif Kahn/Mario Sanchez/Ned Edwards, et al, Pro Tournament matches were to watch. As Power told the 100+ spectators, after a standing ovation, “What a great game! I grew up playing hardball. I used the small, quick punchy stroke of hardball to excel in softball. I urge others to get into hardball, at least once a week. It sharpens your eyes and reflexes, given the pace, angles and shot-making of hardball. Hopefully we can get more of the Pros and college players to just try it.”
The National Championship was won by Eric Pearson, a recent Princeton All-American now living in DC. In a magnificent display of classic hardball, Pearson took the final, 3-0, over a seemingly ageless and tireless Harrity. Pearson has been leading a re-birth of hardball amongst younger players and will be hosting the 3rd Annual Stanley W. Pearson Invitational Hardball Weekend, for recent Nationally ranked players. Over 40 men and women are set to play at the Merion Cricket Club in Philadelphia, the first weekend in May.
The 45s featured a tight match between two previous National Champions, Tim Kent of Virginia and Peter Stokes of Pennsylvania, with Kent’s deft angles and scrambling overcoming Stokes’ power, 3-1.
The 60s saw past Champion Walter Smedley of Philadelphia blow through all challengers, including Tefft Smith of DC, 3-0 in the finals, with his Z-serve, “slap shot” three-wall nicks and just-above-the-tin power rails.
The 65s saw perennial champion Jim Zug of Philadelphia beat Garrett DeGraff of Long Island, 3-0, after DeGraff upset first Henry Steinglass of NYC and then another perennial National Champion Luck Young of Omaha.
The 70s witnessed Bill Cobbett upsetting No. 1 seed Bruce Elfenbein but then fall 3-0 to Nick Beilieson from Westchester, winning his first National Championship.
In the 75s, Bill Wilson, another repeat National Champion from Philadelphia, mowed through an energetic field of six players, defeating Wes Schmidt of Cleveland, 3-0 in the finals.
The 80s saw Charlie Baker, the long-time Patriarch of hardball squash, win another National Championship, this time over Tom Berry. Baker was appropriately honored throughout the weekend for all he has done to sustain and promote the hardball game.
Those—and we hope this inspires many—interested in hardball singles play can get information from the Hardball Singles pages on the US Squash Website or by contacting the Chair or Vice Chair of the Hardball Singles Squash Committee, Charlie Baker (Charlie@bakerindustries.org) or Tefft Smith (tsmith@kirkland.com).
Contributions to the Hardball Singles Squash Foundation can be made through them or directly by designating your US Squash contribution to the Hardball Singles Restricted Squash Fund.
