Archive for December, 2015

WPH Race4Eight 2017-2018 Season

2017-2018 SEASON SCHEDULE 

 

#1  October 6-8, 2017 – Peach Tree Open/Ron Cook Memorial, Atlanta, GA
            (Men’s qualifier Friday @ 9am, Men’s Elite Rd 16 Friday @ 1pm) – Not to be aired on ESPN!

#2  November 10-12, 2017 – Tucson Memorial, Tucson, AZ
            (Men’s qualifier Friday @ 9am, Men’s Elite Rd 16 Friday @ 1pm, Women’s Pro Friday 3pm)–

#3  January 26-28, 2018 – Red Death, Missoula, Montana
            (Men’s qualifier Friday @ 9am, Men’s Elite Rd 16 Friday @ 1pm)
–
#4  February 9-11, 2018 – Las Vegas Royal Flush, Las Vegas, Nevada
            (Men’s qualifier Friday @ 9am, Men’s Elite Rd 16 Friday @ 1pm, Women’s Pro Friday after 4pm, Sr 40+ Pro Friday @ 4pm)
–
#5  March 9-11, 2018 – USHA National Master Doubles, Houston, Texas 
            (Men’s qualifier Friday @ 9am, Men’s Elite Rd 16 Friday @ 1pm, Sr 40+ Pro Friday @ 4pm * Sr48pro to use USHA Red 21)
–
#6  April 12-15, 2018 – NYAC Spring Invitational, NYAC. New York, New York
            (Men’s qualifier Thursday @ 12pm, Men’s Elite Rd 16 Friday @ 1pm, Women’s Pro Friday @ 9am, ) – Not to be aired on ESPN!
–
#7  May 4-6, 2018 – Salt Lake City Aces, Sports Mall, Salt Lake City, Utah 
           (Men’s qualifier Thursday @ 6pm, Men’s Elite Rd 16 Friday @ 1pm, Women’s Pro Friday @ 4pm, Sr 40+ Pro Friday @ 6pm)
 

Tools to Run a Tourney

USHA Tournament Guidelines

Intro: These guidelines supplement previous articles/guides and is written to standardize tournament procedures at USHA events. Of course, every nuance can’t be foreseen and the tournament director will have to use his best judgment in those circumstances.  For extensive step-by-step instructions, download the GUIDELINE FOR TOURNAMENTS [pdf].

This Printable USHA Sanctioning Agreement includes a time line.

Use the “Contact Us” form to get your tournament placed on the USHA Calendar and in Handball Magazine.

Entry info:

See Handball Magazine for samples.  Set entry deadline 10 days to 2 weeks prior to event to give yourself time to call people you heard were coming and didn’t enter, late entries, etc., and still allow you to do draws and prepare a start time listing. Include “no refunds after deadline.” As a general rule, we accept late entries until we’ve made the draws and set starting times. Once that is done, late entries are invited to show up and enter on a stand-by basis, much like getting on an airplane on a stand-by basis. When a no-show occurs, we will put someone into the event as long as they are ready to play when the court is available and their ability level doesn’t hurt the integrity of the draw. We would not insert a player who would have been a top seed into a spot which is way below their ability level. In other words, the insertion can’t ruin the integrity of the draw.

Canceling/combining:

Recommend to have round robins for four players, especially when they can’t be combined easily. Five players will mean four matches and a bye for five rounds of play. This can be very tough to get in over a weekend unless the players are young and enthusiastic. If combining, call the players to see if they still want to play or would choose a different event. When Combining, the USHA will not combine younger players with older players if the older group had enough entrants to make their own event. As an example, if you have two 35-plus players and 8 40-plus players you would not move the 35s into the 40s, they would have to play Open or B. Likewise, if you have 2 B entrants and 8 C entrants, would move the B players to Open. It’s not fair to the players who have enough for their own bracket to be combined with younger, better skilled players.

Round Robin Tiebreakers

1) Head to Head results

2) Most Games Won  (as in who lost in three games vs. two)

3) Fewest Games Lost

4) Most Total Points Scored 

5) Fewest Points Scored Against

6) Playoff

7) Coin Toss

Seeding:
Always give the no. 1 seed to the defending champ.  No other seeds are automatic.  Players winning skill level events must move up to the next level.  Try to separate players who may play each other on a regular basis.  People like to play new people. 

Draw changes:
Should a seeded player cancel after the draw and times have been posted but no match has been played, the draw should be adjusted for a fair tournament.  Once a match has been started in the specific event, the draw should remain the same.  Forfeits can be avoided with last-minute replacements but the replacement should not hurt the integrity of the draw. 

Consolation:
The goal is to provide players a second chance as well as an opportunity to compete against competition of similar abilities.  With that in mind, the USHA allows players who lose their first match and/or lose in the second round when 50% or less of the players have a preliminary match.

First-round forfeits:
When weather or other travel-related difficulties arise that cause a player to show up late, the USHA can make exceptions to the forfeiture rule.  Players who call to notify the director of travel complications will have a better chance than players who just show up.  Accommodations for players traveling to the event from more than 100 miles away should be considered more than those for local players.  This accommodation is for a player’s first match only.

Additionally, players who are on the road to the event can be given the grace period of being the last match to go off, i.e, a player with a 4 p.m. start time wouldn’t be forfeited until all the 4 p.m. matches have been assigned courts, then the clock would start ticking on the 10-minutes.

Whether or not to forfeit should never be in the hands of the opponent waiting to play.

Rest Time:
Players playing two events should be accommodated as best possible in the scheduling.  However, players choosing two singles or two doubles events will be more likely to face back-to-back matches.

Tournament Director’s responsibilities on site:

1)      Make sure courts are in safe condition (sweep/dust mop courts as needed)

2)      Have a rulebook on hand to settle any disputes

3)      Have an in-charge person on site at all times

4)      Follow host’s injury-reporting procedures

*** For outdoor play***

Daylight:

Stop play when players have trouble reacting to the opponents’ shots.

Rain:

Stop play at the start of a drizzle and don’t resume until the entire possible playing area is completely dry.

In both these cases, the players will probably want to play longer than it’s safe and resume prior to the surface being safe.  You are in charge of their safety.

Also, in regard to the playing area and where the spectators are allowed to view the matches, the tournament director should have the “live” court area outlined in paint, or chalk at the least.  As an example: in Toledo , the red paint at the back of the court is the end of the “live” area.  If a player is interfered with by a spectator, referee or player from another court within this area, a hinder should be called.  (It is up to the referee and tournament director to keep this area safe and clear.)  However, if a player goes beyond the red line, they are allowed to make the play but they will not be given a hinder if obstructed by a spectator, etc.

Here’s how the One-Wall Rulebook handles this:

1) Spectators. The referee shall have jurisdiction over the spectators, as well as the players, while the match is in progress (See Rule 5.6). A ball that hits an official or spectator before hitting the wall shall be judged as if it had hit an opponent (See Rule 4.7A2). If a “non-seated” spectator or official interferes with a player in his attempt to play a ball, it is a hinder. In the interest of safety, when sufficient playing area cannot be provided, the referee may call a dead-ball hinder for interference that prevents a player from having a fair chance to see or return the ball (See Rule 4.7A7).

7) Other interference. Any other unintentional interference that prevents a player from having a fair chance to see or return the ball.

Become A Distributor

Can’t Find Handballs and Gloves in Your Town?  Take matters into your own hands and become a USHA Distributor…

 

We created the USHA Distributor program in order to get handball equipment to players in the most efficient and cost effective manner. This program can also serve as a money maker for your local club.

 

How do you join? Simple, follow these easy steps:

 

  • Be a USHA member in good standing 
  • Print our the USHA Distributor Agreement HERE.
  • Fill out and sign the agreement and return it to the USHA by email HERE. 

 

That’s it! Complete those three easy steps and you’re officially a USHA Distributor.  To get a USHA Distributor Price List, call the USHA at (520) 795.0434.

 

The Basics

 

  • You must be a USHA member in good standing.
  • Pay up front. We accept credit card and checks.
  • We will not invoice for the USHA Distributor program.
  • You pay actual shipping charged to us by UPS (or USPS if outside of the continental US) – we get a discounted rate for being a preferred UPS customer and we’ll pass that price on to you.

 

Minimum Orders

 

Distributors are required to place at least one order per year in order to maintain status as a distributor.  Below are the minimum amounts you can get of each item per order. 

 

For example, if you’re purchasing handballs, you have to order at least a case (60 cans) of handballs per order, though you can mix red and white label if you choose. If you’re purchasing gloves, you have to order at least 12 pairs per order.  If satisfy the minimum order for one product, you can add other products without having to reach the minimum order amounts.  (Example:  1 Case of Handball and 6 Gloves, or 12 Gloves and 10 cans of Handballs). 

 

Minimum Order

 

  • 1 case (60 cans) of handballs
  • 12 pairs Elite or Rollout Gear gloves (mix & match sizes and colors)
  • 12 Big Blue balls
  • 12 pairs knit glove liners (s,m,l)
  • 12 pairs thin glove liners (one size fits all)

 

 

Sign Up Members – Get a Commission

 

We encourage you to sell merchandise at a discount to USHA members, but it’s not required. However, we offer a great incentive to get more players to sign up. You receive a $10 commission for every new member sign up and $5 for every renewal membership. That means you can charge the regular USHA membership price of $55 for a one-year or $150 for a three-year membership and keep the commission or become the most popular guy at the club and pass the savings on to the players you sign up.  Either way, just fill out the Membership forms and send in the money: $45 for new members ($130 for 3-year) and $50 for renewals ($135 for 3-year). You can contact the office to determine whether a player is a new member (they need to be a brand new USHA member or expired for over six months) or a renewal member.

 

Suggested Retail Price

 

You can sell the merchandise for any price you see fit. If you have a group of players and you pooled your money to get gloves and balls, you most certainly can distribute at cost. That’s fine. Conversely, you are also free to sell to the general public at any price the market will bear, making a profit for your efforts.

 

Territories

 

There are no USHA Distributor territories. Any USHA member can become a Distributor even if they’re in the same neighborhood as another Distributor. We do ask you to respect the wishes of clubs, pro shops and schools that prohibit the sale of merchandise on the premises.

 

Return Policy

 

Returns and exchanges go through the USHA Distributor. Let it be known that if for any reason the merchandise needs to be returned, customers should bring it back to you. You can, in turn, work with the USHA office. 

 

Handballs – The “21” logo must be clearly visible on any returned handballs.  Any balls that do not rebound from free fall, 70-inch drop to a hardwood floor from 48 to 52 inches at a temperature of 68 degrees F don’t meet spec and can be returned. Also, balls that break with the label still visible can be returned. We offer a full refund or replacement balls.

 

Gloves – If gloves fall apart during normal handball play, or if they are received defective, we’ll replace them or offer a refund.

 

If the return is due to USHA error (we sent the wrong size glove or type of balls) or the product is defective, we will pay for you to ship the merchandise back to us for refund or replacement (call the office and we’ll send you a UPS return label).

 

If you ordered the wrong glove or ball, you’ll have to return them at your own expense, but we will more than gladly refund your money or replace the gloves free of charge (if the merchandise has not been used).

 

USHA Reserves the Right to Publicize USHA Distributor Contact Info

 

We want to widely promote our new USHA Distributors. The main reason for this program is to make reasonably priced handball equipment readily available. Anybody can call or go to our web site and purchase direct from us, but we’d rather have them go to a local distributor, so they don’t have to pay shipping and they can get their stuff immediately. Thus, in order to be a distributor we need you to sign off on the following stipulation on your application for being an USHA Distributor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Award Recipients

2017

  • Tommy Burnett – Coach of the Year
  • Nancy Ortiz – Volunteer of the Year

2016

  • Michael Morgan – Coach of the Year
  • Sun Devil Handball Club – Organization of the Year
  • Kimberley Duval – Volunteer of the Year

 

2015

  • Ozzie Burke – Coach of the Year
  • John Stoffel – Volunteer of the Year

2014

  • Wayne Lee – Coach of the Year
  • Minnesota Handball Association – Organization of the Year
  • Jim Reitmyer – Volunteer of the Year

2013

  • Carl Valentino – Coach of the Year
  • Matt Johnson – Volunteer of the Year

 

2012

  • Alethia Mendez -Volunteer of the Year
  • Los Angeles City Fire Handball -Organization of the Year

 

2011

  • James Coronado – Coach of the Year
  • Hope in Handball (PA) – Organization of the Year

2010

  • Josh Reese – Volunteer of the Year
  • 2009 Worlds Organizing Committee – Organization of the Year

 

2009

  • Joel Levy – Volunteer of the Year
  • Joel Dempsey – Coach of the Year
  • Success 4 Kids – Organization of the Year

2008

  • Carl Rice – Volunteer of the Year
  • Colorado Handball Association Handball – Organization of the Year
  • Ken Starcher – Coach of the Year

 

2007

  • Fred Lewis – Coach of the Year

Host a National Event

Give your city a boost by hosting a USHA event

By Vern Roberts

As we move through another handball season, we’re looking for sites and hosts for next season’s schedule. We’re as anxious as ever to find new sites to showcase the best the game has to offer in playing, refereeing and sportsmanship.

We’ve learned that moving our premier events around the country is a win/win situation for us and the local club(s). Without fail, the USHA membership in areas hosting USHA events gets a boost and the local club sees a surge in interest in handball from existing as well as new handball players.

In all, 12 national championships are decided each year. The schedule reflects the USHA’s goal to spread the word around the country and use the tournaments to promote the game in different venues.

With that in mind, we’d love to know of other potential sites and cities where a major event could help bring the local players closer together, attract the local media and draw new USHA members. We have been most fortunate in recent years in that each host of a major event has had one thing in mind–showing its handball guests a great time.

Each event has different goals. For example, the national juniors are supported by the First Ace Fund for the future of our sport, while the Masters events can attract the stalwarts of the sport in spite of a higher entry fee. Thus, the agreements also are different, with varying sanctioning fees.

 

USHA Tournament Portfolio
Event Approximate Dates Fee Facility Minimum

National One-Wall 

May-October

N/A

10 courts

National Wallball

May-October

N/A

8 courts

National Three-Wall

July-October

N/A

8 courts

National Four-Wall Singles

Spring/Fall

N/A

10 courts

National Four-Wall Doubles

Spring/Fall

N/A

8 courts

National Juniors Four-Wall

Dec. 26-30

N/A

8 courts

National Collegiates

Late February

N/A

12 courts (bids go to collegiate chair)

Women’s Classic

Early Spring

$1,000

8 courts (open event recommended)

Masters Singles

Winter/Spring

$1,500

8 courts

Masters Doubles

Winter/Spring

$1,500

6 courts

National Juniors One-Wall

Spring/Summer

N/A

4 courts

National Juniors Three-Wall

Summer

N/A

4 courts

Each event has some of the same requirements:

  • The USHA balls are the official tournament balls.

  • All entrants must be USHA members.

  • Final seeding and draws will be done by the USHA.

  • The USHA has exclusive rights to sell merchandise on site.

Concurrently, each host has some of the same benefits:

  • Increased publicity through Handball magazine.

  • Entry blank printed in Handball magazine.

  • USHA representative on site during duration of the event. 
  • Local sponsorship through seat and program sales. 
  • Larger entry for your tournament.  

The host fees range from zero for the national juniors to $1,000 for the Women’s Classic or $1,500 for a Masters. Each of the open nationals has agreements concerning who pays for what. Contact the USHA for more information on those listed as “N/A” (not applicable) in the chart.

This information is intended for anyone wishing to bring to their hometown a national championship event and the accompanying shot in the arm for local handball.

Most important, now is the time to speak up if you’d like one of the dates on the tournament calendar still open for next year. Contact the USHA by email or call 520-795-0434 for more information.

First ACE®

A Development Program that will introduce more players to Handball and help them achieve their FIRST ACE!

 

An ACE is a Mark of Perfection: An instant point. An unreturnable shot. We want our youth to strive for perfection on the court, in the classroom and in life. We hope to instill values that are incorporated in the Perfect Game as we introduce the sport of handball to the masses.

The USHA’s mission statement is to Organize, Promote and Spread the joy of Handball, the Perfect Game. That is what FIRST ACE is all about.

The continued growth of the sport is crucial for success.

So, when did you get your FIRST ACE? Regardless of where, when and how it happened, we all remember the joy of hitting that “FIRST ACE.”

Contribute to the FIRST ACE Fund HERE.

First ACE® Development Grants

Help get your Handball Program Started!  Apply for a First Ace Development Grant (click HERE).