Details about this new innovative program including FAQ
On Oct 1 2006 Gerry French officially launched his Racquetball
Underground program replacing what was first started seven years
ago as a combined Brookshire/Cross Creek RB program. Below is a
description of the purpose of the program and a list of Frequently asked
Questions about the program
Racquetball Underground of S W
Florida
The
Racquetball Underground is a structured racquetball program created, designed,
developed and managed by Gerry French
and is a part of his blogsite Gerry French’s Enterpriseshttp://gfe.blogsite.com.
Its
purpose is to encourage and maximize play in the sport of racquetball in public,
private, and commercial racquetball facilities.
It accomplishes this goal through the
following methods:
1.By
providing an easy way for racquetball players to find each other and play on
multiple court facilities that support the RB Underground program; all without
ever having to make any arrangements like calling three players to set up a
game and reserving a court etc.
2.By
optimizing the use of multiple different courts, at specific times designated
for open RB Underground Play.
3.By
standardizing the playing rules for all RB Underground play on such things as
“all games are played to 11” ect.
4.By
assigning handicaps, and keeping them current, to each player registered in the
Underground program, based on statistical data and past performance data.
5.By
enforcing the use of current handicaps in all games played in the
Underground Open Time in all participating facilities.
6.By
recording the results of all games played in the RB Underground to
facilitate the keeping of Statistical performance records on all players
registered in the program.
7.By
publishing the results of all games played in the entire RB Underground
Program and from that data produce comprehensive RB statistics for
each player including such data as the total number of games played, average
points scored per game, % wins all of which are all used monthly to adjust the
handicaps for each player.
8.By
scheduling monthly RB Underground tournaments that are open to all registered
players with cash awards plus refreshments all as part of the Underground
program.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT
THE RB
UNDERGROUND
1. How can a
facility, private or public, with RB courts participate in the Racquetball
Underground?
Ans. The Underground is currently limited to four-wall
RB.
To participate in the RB Underground program, a facility
may be private, public commercial, must be willing to Host the program and
designate a certain number of hours and courts on certain days of the week which
will be specifically reserved for RB Underground Play at no cost to the
Underground program
.
There are no other cost to the facility; however; there
are some supervision and minimal record keeping tasks that need to be done such
as keeping a record of all of the RB Underground players who play during the
reserved designated times.
.
In addition the names of the players and there scores of
each game played are required to be kept. Preprinted forms are made available
from the RB Underground manager to simplify this record keeping and the
forwarding this data by email to the manager. All of this type of work can be
turned over to a volunteer coordinator who plays every session and wants to help
run the program.
By a facility participating in the Underground RB
Program, all members of the facility are eligible to register in the program,
get a Underground Handicap assigned and play during the designatedtimes for Underground play at no cost to
them except for an initial annual registration fee of $10.
2. How is the
program funded?
Ans. The Underground Racquetball program is funded
primarily from donations made by individual racquetball players who have no affiliation with any
of the participating hosting facilities. Their donation is made direct to the
Program manager. Their donation must be consistent with the amount of their RB
play. The program manager uses all donated funds to cover the costs associated
with running the program. Players affiliated with a club that participates as a
host (i.e. makes court time available at no cost) are not required to donate
however they may volunteer to donate
if they feel the program is worth it. All donations are graciously appreciated.
3. Can
Underground registered players from one participating facility play at
another participating facility with no cost?
Ans. Yes. However, only during the times designated
and reserved for Underground racquetball play.
4. How do
players register to play in the RB Underground and get a handicap?
Ans.By completing a
registration form and playing as guest of the Program manager at a participating
facility. If the player is not affiliated with a participating facility then in
addition to completing the registration form he or she must make a minimum
donation to the program of $25.
5. Do
registered players have to call or sign up to play at a facility during the
posted times for RB Underground play?
Ans.No, all program
registered players who show up will play.All that is needed is a current RB Underground Handicap rating
6. How do I
sign up for the RB Underground?
Ans.A player must first
contact the RB Underground program manager Gerry French at 239-768-5055
or e-mail at gwfrench@gmail.com.He will invite you to play, explain the
details of the program, determine if you play well enough to meet safety
requirements and after completing an application and making a donation (is
required) he will assign you a current handicap rating.
7. If I am a beginner, can I play in the
Underground?
Ans. No.For safety reasons you must have a good knowledge of the proper
way to play doubles with 4 players on the court before you will be assigned a
handicap. The program manager has the power to OK your play or remove your
privalidge to play if he considers your play to be dangerous to him or
others.
8. How many
RB facilities participate in the program?
Ans. Currently there are two RB facilities participating
in the program; Brookshire Bath and Tennis Club and Cross Creek Estates Club.
Both of these clubs are private clubs whose RB courts are not open to the
public.
9. If I
registered now where and when would I be able to play?
Ans. Tuesday from to @
Brookshire
Thursday from to
6:30PM @ Cross Creek Estates
Saturday from to
10:00AM @ Cross Creek Estates
Sunday from to
10:00 AM @ Brookshire
10. If my
club becomes affiliated with the Program how would I register?
Ans. The same as answered above except you would not be
required to make a donation to the program because your club is donating and
setting aside time for RB Underground play. However you may make a voluntary
donation to the program at any time to help promote the program.
11. If I am a
non-affiliated player, register and make a donation to start of $20 when will I
be expected to donate again?
Ans. Each time you play during a designated RB Underground playing time,
your personal Underground Account sheet kept current by the program manager will
reflect a debit of $2.00. After you have played ten times your account will show
a zero balance. You are required to keep you donations in excess of playing
frequency at all times.
12. If I
donate a $100 to start for the year and I only play 30 times will the leftover
donation carry over to next year?
Ans. No, it will not be carried
over. The RB Underground season runs from October 1st through
September 30th. A new donation is
requireeach year to continue to be a registered player.
13. Can I
bring a friend to play during a RB Underground allocated time?
Ans. Not without the permission of the RB Underground Manager.
14 Is there a
limit to how many players can become registered players?
Ans. Yes. The program manager has the authority to close memberships at
any time should the court playing times appear to becoming over crowded.
15. Can women
play in the Underground?
Ans. Yes. They however have to pass the same test on their playing
ability before they will be issued a handicap. ONLY players with current
handicaps may play in the Underground. If a player is visiting the area
a tempory handicap can be assigned by the manager
16. Must
protective eye wear be worn when playing?
ANS. Local rules of the
facilities apply but it is preferred that they be worn at all times on the
court.
17. How would
I learn about up coming Underground Scheduled Tournaments?
Ans. ALL
Underground Communication is accomplished by email. If a player does not
have an email he will not be allowed into the Underground unless he finds a
friend or member of his family who will receive his RB Underground mail. No
exception!!!!
18. Once
again, what is the first step towards signing up to play in the RB Underground?
