Racquetball was invented by Joe Sobek in 1949 on a Connecticut handball court. Seeking a game with fast pace that was easy to learn, Sobek designed the first short strung paddle, devised rules combining the basics of handball and squash, and named his modification "paddle rackets." His experiment was an overnight success, the sport caught on quickly and has since evolved into racquetball as we know it today.

By the early 70's, court clubs could be found in every state and the sport enjoyed a rapid and steady rise in popularity. As Americans sought new and challenging athletic activities, the timing was perfect for racquetball -- courts were accessible nationwide and the sport was fun and easy to learn. The late 70's and early 80's saw racquetball become one of the fastest growing sports in America as thousands of new racquetball courts were built to satisfy the demand.

But the sport saturated the market and reached its peak in the mid-80's, when many clubs either closed their doors or began converting courts to other uses. But by 1987 the decline leveled off and racquetball regained a steady, manageable growth rate.

From an original core group of loyal enthusiasts, participation has stabilized at 5.6 million American players who enjoy the sport each year.

Internationally, the sport has also attained great heights in its short history -- with World Championships held bi-annually since 1981, the addition of five International Olympic Committee approved events and its debut as a Pan American Games Sport in 1995.

Now in a new century, times are exciting for the sport of racquetball. With increasing exposure to a growing market of recreational and competitive players -- combined with the sport's proven track record of steady annual growth and the promise of achieving the "Olympic Dream" -- racquetball is well positioned for the future.

 

The IRF....

The International Amateur Racquetball Federation (then IARF) was founded in October of 1979 in Memphis, TN with 13 charter countries taking on the central leadership role in the development of racquetball worldwide.

 

Almost a decade later, the federation dropped the word "amateur" from it's title, following a phenomenal growth rate in the early 80’s players.

 

Now racquetball is practiced worldwide in over 90 countries on five continents with 14 million racquetball players worldwide.

 

The IRF conducted it’s first World Congress in 1980, followed by it’s first World Championships in 1981.

 

Racquetball is a full medal sport in the Central American Games, the Central American Caribbean Games, the Pan American Games, the South American Games, Bolivarian Games and the World Games.

 

The IRF received it’s IOC recognition in December of 1985, the youngest sport ever to have received such recognition.