HAVING A RAQUETBALL BABY BOOMERS RETURNING TO THE SPORT OF THEIR CHILDHOOD.

Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer

In the early 1980s racquetball was all the rage, with a number of health clubs and raquetball centers sprouting up throughout the San Fernando Valley and elsewhere.

In the 1990s, as more and more health clubs converted their racquetball courts to aerobic studios and other more lucrative endeavors, the sport's popularity waned. Some racquetball enthusiasts feared their slice of paddle heaven was on its way out.

They need not have worried.

Today there are about 6 million players nationwide and that number is expected to rise as more and more baby boomers return to the sport they played as kids.

The San Fernando Valley is home to one of only a handful of facilities nationwide with more than 15 courts in one location. The Spectrum Athletic Club in Canoga Park has 20 racquetball courts and beginning today will host the NMRA Masters Racquetball Championships, a four-day round-robin tournament for players 45 and up.

Debbie Tisinger is the tournament director and one of the sport's best amateur players. She expects about 260 players from all over the United States, Mexico and Canada to participate in the tournament.

Tisinger has won 15 U.S. Open singles titles and 13 U.S. National doubles titles, as well as the World Senior Championship 13 years in a row.

She started playing in the early 1980s.

``I was a volley player in college and I played tennis to stay in shape,'' Tisinger said. ``The moment I hit the (racquet) ball I said, `Oh my gosh, this is it. Wow.' It was like a bug, it bit me. I love it. I stopped playing volleyball.''

Tisinger is the racquetball director for Spectrum as well as a resident coach.

``Several of my clients are people who used to play 20 years ago and are now playing again,'' Tisinger said.

She said at Spectrum, there are more than a few players in their 80s as well as a junior league for children. Nonmembers may use the courts for a fee.

There are several other clubs in the Valley that offer racquetball to their members, including LA Fitness Sports Club in Sherman Oaks, the 360 Health Club in Reseda, formerly the Mid Valley Athletic Center, and the Burbank Community YMCA.

Burbank YMCA spokeswoman Susan Sebastian said she thinks the sport is becoming popular with younger business people who don't have a lot of free time on their hands.

``It's a great noontime workout,'' Sebastian said. ``You can bring a buddy during lunchtime. It's a great cardio workout and then you can get back to work. It has a lot of appeal.''

Sebastian said she sees a lot of seniors playing, as well as people in their 20s and 30s.

``It's not age-specific,'' Sebastian said.

Peggine Tellez, president of the California State Racquetball Association and a longtime player, said the sport's popularity is on the rise because players began to actively promote the sport and teach it to others. Also, she said racquetball courts are beginning to appear in nontraditional places, such as churches, apartment buildings and corporate facilities.

Tellez said she frequently meets people who used to play years ago and encourages them to return.

``A lot of times when they get on the court and get ball and racquet in hand, they remember what they loved about it,'' Tellez said.

She explained the appeal of the sport for novices.

``Anybody can get on the court and hit the ball and run around and after a half-hour, you've had a pretty good workout,'' Tellez said.

Diane Rossiter of Woodland Hills agrees. She's played for 23 years.

``It's different from tennis,'' Rossiter said. ``You don't need to be a skilled player to enjoy the game. All you need is two people, a court and a ball. For kids, it's a great sport because they can play quickly.''

Rossiter said she has noticed an increase in new players the last couple of years, but that the sport will never match the popularity of other sports.

``It's never going to be baseball,'' Rossiter said. ``It's never going to be soccer. The people that love it, love it, and they're going to pass that on to other people.''

Rossiter said she'd like to see more women playing the sport and thinks maybe they're put off by the competitive element. While competition is part of the sport's appeal for some, Rossiter said the camaraderie that develops among the sport's participants is just as important.

``You have something in common,'' Rossiter said. ``It's not the run-of- the-mill sport. Not everybody's playing racquetball.''

The sport also allows the better amateur players to compete against professionals in open tournaments. While some have said professionals shouldn't be allowed to participate in amateur tournaments, others relish the opportunity to go against the Kobe Bryants of their sport.

``Let's say you get eight points (against a professional player),'' Rossiter said. ``You go, `Yes, I got eight points!'''

While the sport's recent surge in popularity might be pushed by baby boomers, better promotion and a few new courts, those who never left the sport have spent decades sweating and hitting the hardwood floors inside the court's four walls, just trying to get better at a game they think is beautiful.

Rossiter invites folks to come out to one of the tournaments and watch all that hard work pay off.

``It's pretty to watch,'' Rossiter said.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Debbie Tisinger is not only one of racquetball's greatest amateur players, she's one of the game's biggest advocates.

(2 -- color) These future stars of racquetball take a break between games. Front row, from left: Rana Rod, Darian Tucker. Back row: Ginger Valentine, Augusta Webber and Noornaz Rad.

(3 -- color) no caption (racquetball players)

Rick Coca/Valley News