Category: Local News

*Check out the latest video uploaded to the web. It was created to introduce handball to college students, but serves as a great way to show anyone the basics of the game. Send the following link to your friends and family members just starting to play or show interest in the great game of handball.

Go to this Google video link listed below and download this six-part handball video to your computer. Don't forget to give the videos your highest vote, so that it stays on top of the handball video search results. Do this by clicking on "write comment" and clicking on the stars to rate it.

Do this for all six videos.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4493024343384388255&q=handball

2007 Calendar of Tournaments:
• 3/17/07 – 3/18/07-PA State Singles, Sinking Spring,PA
• 3/22/07 – 3/25/07 – National Masters Doubles, Overland Park, KS
• 4/30/07 – 5/6/07 – 4-Wall Nationals, Minneapolis
• 6/9/07 – 3-Wall No Frills Doubles, Columbia, MD
• 8/17/07 – 8/19/07 – 3-Wall Eastern Regional Tournament, Columbia, MD

Bullet Points on What's New:
• The 2006 4-wall doubles was a great success!  See the page for the doubles tournament for details.
• CHALLENGE COURTS ARE HERE!  See above for details!
• You can now order your XS Energy Bars and Drinks online at www.srice.qhealthzone.com.  Sue Rice is Maryland Handball's Representative.
•  We are in need of players willing to volunteer as Tournament Assistants.  This role will involve offering help on tournament days ONLY.  If you are able to volunteer, please let us know by emailing at MDHandball@hotmail.com.
• The USHA has identified Dan Zimet as a reseller of Handball Supplies.  If you are in need of equipment, please e-mail MDHandball@hotmail.com.

Thanks to the contributions of players in the Mid-Atlantic, Maryland Handball has a fund of $4,000 devoted to the promotion, support, and development of new players in the area.  Here is what’s going on:

Gary Cruz again came to Maryland and met with all the gym instructors of the Howard County High Schools on March 23rd. Dan Zimet met with Jackie French, Superintendent of the Howard County Athletics Department, on July 18th.

Dan Ho volunteered as the 2006 MHA Player Development Committee chair.

The USHA and Player Development Fund has kindly donated gloves, white-ace balls, and goggles to the MHA.Gary Cruz of the USHA flew in and, with Dan Zimet, taught periods 2-8 for 3-days in April.

If you are interested in learning how to play private lessons can be scheduled at no charge!!  Just e-mail Dan Zimet at MDhandball@hotmail.com and provide your contact information and interest.  Anyone can learn how to play and no previous experience is necessary!  As an incentive, we are using our own funds to promote your involvement – in addition to the free lessons, you may purchase the needed equipment to play for only $20.  This includes goggles, gloves, glove liners, and a ball – a $40 value!  Also, once you get more involved and want to play in one of our great local events, you will reveive $20 off the application fee for your first tournament.

Obviously, we are very excited about the idea of bringing new players into the game and getting more involved at a grassroots level.  Our local players are aware that new people are getting into the game, and want to help your interest and skills grow.  Let us know when you'll be at the courts and we will make certain to get you involved in games and introduced to the handball community.

As we continue our efforts, please offer your support and encouragement to Dan Ho and, most importantly, introduce yourself and encourage any new faces at the courts.

The 9th grade Atholton High School Lifetime Fitness classes received handball instruction from Gary Cruz and Daniel Zimet on April 18, 19, and 20.  Over 120 students were exposed to the game and instroduced to the idea of getting more involved in the future.  Several Atholton instructors, including Mr. Wendell Thomas, expressed excitement at the idea of bringing Handball into the regular curriculum and making it a part of each year’s instruction.

The students expressed interest and enthusiasm for the game, and by the 3rd day a surprisingly large number showed excellent promise and many used gloves and hit the Irish #3 ball – a softer version of the White Ace.  Challenged by the idea of hitting a ball and using both hands, every student made a solid effort and gave good participation.

We will continue to follow up on these courses by offering additional instruction at the Centennial 3-Wall courts over the summer.  Equipment will be available for use and sale, and new players who express ongoing interest will receive giveaways.  Details on the summer schedule of instructionals will be available in the near future.

Thanks to Gary Cruz – who flew in from California and led the instruction all day for three straight days.  Also, thanks for Wendell Thomas, Atholton High School, and the Atholton students – who made the instruction possible and made us feel like welcomed members of their community.  We look forward to working with you in the future!