Forget the argument about whether basketball or handball is “The City Game.” Here comes a brand new sport that’s about to take over the Big Apple…and as usual, Queens is leading the way.
The first-ever – but hopefully not the last – Maspeth Steel Big Ball Squash 57 6K Invitational will unfold over various hours on Saturday, June 14.
Okay, okay. The title is a bit confusing. That’s because Squash 57 is a recent invention that involves athletes using a racquetball racquet to hit a 57-millimeter rubber ball on an outdoor squash court located in Maspeth’s Industrial Business Zone.
Now do you understand?
The tournament invitees are 16 of the best handball, paddleball, and racquetball players from around New York City and a few other spots. (i.e. A racquetball pro from Colorado will be there. Wish him luck.) They will compete in a regular, knock-out draw with a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. They’ll play for fun and honor, but there’s also $6,000 in prize money, thanks to Maspeth Welding’s sponsorship.
Simple, right?
Though the participants are cagey veterans in their respective sports, they have never competed in a Squash 57 competition. Some might take to it; others might wonder what they’re doing.
“We’re going to have professionals fighting it out with weapons they’ve seen before,” said Robert Gibralter, the main organizer. He added that the large ball is bouncier than the others and it has a larger sweet spot.
“Everyone who has tried it has said ‘Oh this is better than I thought!” he said. “It’s sublime. It’s really the caviar of balls.”
Viewing the Maspeth Steel Big Ball Squash 57 6K Invitational is open to the public, and admission is free. (Some light refreshments might be available.)
The action is scheduled to start at 10 am. Matches will go on all day. At one point, Nathan Lake, a British squash player who is currently ranked #29 in the world, will play an exhibition match.
Click here for a video with details.
Located at 59-30 54th St., Maspeth Squash is part of Maspeth Welding, a private construction firm that specializes in structural steel and miscellaneous metals. President Jeff Anschlowar is a huge squash enthusiast who built the host court — the only outdoor, steel squash court in the United States — during Covid. The glass back wall is transparent so spectators watch the action in a viewing area that has space for about 50 people.
The venue is not easy via public transportation.
Here’s a primer on the different sports that will be represented on June 14.
Squash
Invented in a London prison in the 19th century, squash is a racquet sport somewhat comparable to racquetball. It involves hitting a small, hollow rubber ball against a wall with a long stringed racquet and chasing it inside a four-walled court.
Racquetball
Invented by Joseph Sobek in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1950, racquetball involves hitting a larger rubber ball with a shorter stringed racquet (compared to squash). There are actually two main versions. Only one wall is used in the outdoor one, but indoor courts have four walls and a roof that are in play.
Handball
Irish immigrants in the late 19th century are credited for creating the New York City version of handball. It involves one wall and a rubber ball that players smack with their hands. Please don’t confuse this with European handball, which involves teams of seven players who pass a ball with their hands in an attempt to throw it into the other team’s goal.
Paddleball
There are various versions, but the city game involves hitting a rubber ball with a paddle. It can be played on a handball court. There is also a paddleball that’s played on a platform court with a net and wired walls that are in play.
Squash57
Head to Maspeth Squash on June 14 to find out firsthand.
Editor’s note: Pickleball and padel are popular sports right now. They are distinct from those mentioned above.
Images: Maspeth Squash