International Racquetball Tour
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is the leading professional racquetball organization for men's competition. It was founded in 1991 and is the successor to previous iterations of the tour by different names. Professional Men's racquetball events have been offered since 1973.[1] Events are played mostly in the USA.
| Current season, competition or edition: | |
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| Sport | Racquetball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Countries | International |
| Headquarters | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Official website | www |
Mike Grisz became chief executive officer of the IRT in January 2019.[2] He succeeded John Scott, who became chief executive officer in June 2017, when the IRT was taken over by E.J. Promotions Inc.[3] Previously, Jason Mannino, a former pro player, served as IRT President.,[4] who succeeded Dave Negrete in 2009. Negrete was Commissioner from 2001 to 2009. Initially, Mannino continued to play on the tour during the 2009–2010 season as well as serve as the IRT's leader, but retired at the end of that season to concentrate on being IRT President.
Rules of play
IRT matches primarily use the rules as set out by USA Racquetball.[5] IRT matches were best of five games to 11 points each beginning in 1981 with each game won by a minimum of two points[6] (e.g., a 12–10 score can end a game, but 11-10 cannot). But in the middle of the 2017–18 season, the IRT changed its match scoring from best of 5 games to 11 points to a best of 3 games with the first 2 games to 15 points and the tie-breaker to 11.[7] Moreover, each of the three games was win by 1 point rather than 2 points, as it was under the previous rule with games to 11 points. The rule came into effect at the start of the 2018 calendar year.
Beginning in the 2010–2011 season, the IRT has changed its service rule so that players get two opportunities to put the ball into play (two serve rule),[8] as in tennis where players are allowed two faults before losing a point. Since the 1990s, the IRT had been using a one serve rule, so a fault serve resulted in an immediate loss of serve.
Current season
2022 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
| Event | Winner | Runner Up | Semi Finalists | Quarterfinalists |
| 2022 Suivant Consulting Grand Slam[9]
Lilburn, Georgia, January 20–23, 2022 |
14–15, 15–2, 11–10 |
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| 37th Annual Shamrock Shootout[10]
Lombard, Illinois, March 17–20, 2022 |
15–6, 15–9 |
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| 2022 IRT SoCal Open[11]
Canoga Park, California, April 28-May 1, 2022 |
15-8, 15-11 |
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| 2022 New York Open[12]
Wantagh, New York, May 12–15, 2022 |
* | |||
| Capitol Classic[13]
Millersville, Maryland, September 15–18, 2022 |
15-7, 15-3 |
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| 2022 USA Racquetball US Open[14] Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 28–October 2, 2022 |
15–8, 15–4 |
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| Golden State Open[15]
Pleasanton, California, October 6–9, 2022 |
15–11, 15–7 |
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| Dovetail Open[16]
Sarasota, Florida, November 3–6, 2022 |
15-5, 15-3 |
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| John Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions[17]
Portland, December 1–4, 2022 |
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- Note: The New York Open final was abandoned due to poor playing conditions.[18]
Season summaries (Tier I and Grand Slam Events)
| Season | Tournament Wins[19] | US Open winner |
| 2022 | ||
| 2021 | ||
| 2019–20 | ||
| 2018–19 | ||
| 2017–18 | ||
| 2016–17 | ||
| 2015–16 | ||
| 2014–15 | ||
| 2013–14 | ||
| 2012–13 | ||
| 2011–12 | ||
| 2010–11 | ||
| 2009–10 | ||
| 2008–09 | ||
| 2007–08 | ||
| 2006–07 | ||
| 2005–06 | ||
| 2004–05 | ||
| 2003–04 | ||
| 2002–03 | ||
| 2001–02 | ||
| 2000–01 | ||
| 1999–2000 | ||
| 1998–1999 | ||
| 1997–1998 | ||
| 1996–1997 | ||
| 1995–1996 | – | |
| 1994–1995 | – | |
| 1993–1994 | – | |
| 1992–1993 | – | |
| 1991–1992 | – | |
| 1990–1991 | – | |
| 1989–1990 | – | |
| 1988–1989 | – | |
| 1987–1988 | – | |
| 1986–1987 | – | |
| 1985–1986 | – | |
| 1984–1985 | – | |
| 1983–1984 | – | |
| 1982–1983 | – | |
| 1981–1982 | – |
Note: The US Open Racquetball Championships began in November 1996.
Rankings at season's end
| Position | 2021 |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 |
| Position | 2015–2016[23] | 2016–2017 | 2017–2018 | 2018–2019 | 2019–2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 |
| Position | 2010–2011 | 2011–2012 | 2012–2013 | 2013–2014 | 2014–2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 |
| Position | 2005–2006 | 2006–2007 | 2007–2008 | 2008–2009 | 2009–2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 |
| Position | 2000–2001 | 2001–2002 | 2002–2003 | 2003–2004 | 2004–2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 |
| Position | 1995–1996 | 1996–1997 | 1997–1998 | 1998–1999 | 1999–2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 |
| Position | 1990–1991 | 1991–1992 | 1992–1993 | 1993–1994 | 1994–1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 |
| Position | 1985–1986 | 1986–1987 | 1987–1988 | 1988–1989 | 1989–1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 10 |
| Position | 1981–1982 | 1982–1983 | 1983–1984 | 1984–1985 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 9 | ||||
| 10 |
Most seasons in top 10
| Player | Years in Top 10 | |
| 1. | 22 | |
| 2. | 20 | |
| 3. | 18 | |
| 3. | 18 | |
| 5. | 15 | |
| 6. | 12 | |
| 7. | 11 | |
| 8. | 10 | |
| 8. | 10 | |
| 8. | 10 | |
| 8. | 10 |
Year-end number 1
| Years ended No. 1 | ||
| 1. | Kane Waselenchuk | 14 |
| 2. | Cliff Swain | 6 |
| 3. | Sudsy Monchik | 5 |
| 3. | Mike Yellen | 5 |
| 5. | Rocky Carson | 2 |
| 6. | Daniel De La Rosa | 1 |
| 6. | Ruben Gonzalez | 1 |
| 6. | Marty Hogan | 1 |
| 6. | Jack Huczek | 1 |
| 6. | Drew Katchtik | 1 |
| 6. | Jason Mannino | 1 |
| 6. | Dave Peck | 1 |
| 6. | Mike Ray | 1 |
- 1981–82:
Dave Peck - 1982–83:
Mike Yellen - 1983–84:
Mike Yellen (2) - 1984–85:
Mike Yellen (3) - 1985–86:
Mike Yellen (4) - 1986–87:
Mike Yellen (5) - 1987–88:
Ruben Gonzalez - 1988–89:
Marty Hogan - 1989–90:
Cliff Swain - 1990–91:
Mike Ray - 1991–92:
Drew Katchtik - 1992–93:
Cliff Swain (2) - 1993–94:
Cliff Swain (3) - 1994–95:
Cliff Swain (4) - 1995–96:
Sudsy Monchik - 1996–97:
Sudsy Monchik (2) - 1997–98:
Cliff Swain (5) - 1998–99:
Sudsy Monchik (3) - 1999–2000:
Sudsy Monchik (4) - 2000–01:
Sudsy Monchik (5) - 2001–02:
Cliff Swain (6) - 2002–03:
Jason Mannino - 2003–04:
Kane Waselenchuk - 2004–05:
Kane Waselenchuk (2) - 2005–06:
Kane Waselenchuk (3) - 2006–07:
Jack Huczek - 2007–08:
Rocky Carson - 2008–09:
Kane Waselenchuk (4) - 2009–10:
Kane Waselenchuk (5) - 2010–11:
Kane Waselenchuk (6) - 2011–12:
Kane Waselenchuk (7) - 2012–13:
Kane Waselenchuk (8) - 2013–14:
Kane Waselenchuk (9) - 2014–15:
Kane Waselenchuk (10) - 2015–16:
Kane Waselenchuk (11) - 2016–17:
Kane Waselenchuk (12) - 2017–18:
Rocky Carson (2) - 2018–19:
Kane Waselenchuk (13) - 2019–20:
Kane Waselenchuk (14) - 2021:
Daniel De La Rosa
References
- "Racquetball Pro Tour Naming History".
- Ruiz, Aimee. "Q&A with IRT CEO, Mike Grisz". International Racquetball Tour. IRT. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- "E.J. Promotions Inc. Purchases IRT and IRT Network". IRT Tour. IRT. 2017-06-22. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- "Home". irt-tour.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "Rules of Play". Archived from the original on 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
- Boss, Todd. "History of major tour rule changes". Pro Racquetball Stats. Pro Racquetball Stats. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- Diesel, Kelly R. (2017-12-20). "New Year's Rule Changes". IRT. IRT. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- "Home". irt-tour.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "2022 Suivant Consulting Grand Slam". www.r2sports.com. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "37th Annual Shamrock Shootout". www.r2sports.com. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "2022 IRT SoCal Open". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "2022 New York Open". International Racquetball Tour. R2 Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "Capitol Classic IRT Singles". International Racquetball Tour. R2 Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "IRT Singles 2022 US Open Racquetball Championships".
- "2022 IRT Golden State Open". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "2022 Dovetail Open". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "2022 John Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions". R2 Sports. R2 Sports. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- Boss, Todd. "IRT 2022 New York Open". Pro Racquetball Stats. Todd Boss. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- "Pro Racquetball Stats Tour Selection Page". Pro Racquetball Stats. Todd Boss. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- "Pro Racquetball Stats". Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- "Pro Racquetball Stats".
- "Home". irt-tour.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "2015-2016 IRT Rankings". irt-tour.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "Pro Racquetball Stats".
External links
- "Official Website". Retrieved 2009-04-26.
- Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour
