Henri Salaun, one of the preeminent players of the hardball era, passed away last week. Back in the day, hardball squash was played in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Softball squash was played everywhere else.
Hardball squash was "our" game - the American game. Softball squash was "their" game. And most players from either camp were fine with that distinction. But then in the 1980's the purveyors of the game dfelt the need to standardize the game in order to gain Olympic acceptance and the funding that went with it; so the powers that be replaced the North Amerian Singles game altogether with the International game. Thus, the "Big Disruption" began.
The undercurrent that fanned the debate was that many players who played the international game regarded hardball squash was not the "real" game and harbored a healthy disrespect for the American version which extends to this day with the hardball doubles version of the game.
Many American players were understandably upset by the wholesale change. Some felt betrayed. Alas, the venerable hardball game with a rich history was no longer the mainstream game. It suddenly was a niche game.
Henri Salaun was a big part of that history.
Charlie Ufford, Henri Salaun. 83 Nat'ls, SF
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I went on a twenty five mile bike ride this afternoon and I am no worse for wear. Hope to see you on the courts soon!
John
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