To those who know what I speak of, only one thing comes to mind when there is any mention of \The Perfect Game.""
It is not the one-and-only perfecto thrown in a World Series and, of course, by this, I am referring to Don Larson's performance in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. And it is certainly not in any way related to the flop-of-a-movie known as ""For the Love of the Game.""
For those who play it, it is know as ""The Perfect Game"" because, for no other reason, every aspect about it is simply perfect. It is a sport that is played in cities across America and throughout the world.
The game itself resembles the sport of racquetball, but for handball players there is no comparison. It is a sport that can be played outside, as the outdoor handball season starts when the weather begins to turn in early spring. For those brief three-to-four month periods, there is nothing that handball players would rather be doing, and it is not hard to understand why.
Handball is a sport that is played mostly by amateurs who are in no way in it for the money, but rather for the pure enjoyment. Those that are paid could hardly earn a living off their winnings not to mention the luxurious amenities with which other professional athletes are blessed.
And maybe the best part of handball is not even the game itself, but rather the intangibles that come along with the sport. Never have I seen a sport that has a more social setting to it. The personality of the handball crowd can be compared with the crowds that pack Regent Street for Badger games. Never will you find a nicer group of people who are at an event because they love what they are watching.
But beware: Handball may be on its way up. The Professional Handball Association is in its first year and may have handball on the map with the likes of other pro sports. It's first tournament gets underway this weekend in Concord, Calif. as the qualifying begins for the first ever Ultimate Handball Showdown which takes place in Seattle the weekend of Feb. 19 to 22, which will be the first time in years that handball with be nationally televised.
If you happen to catch a glimpse of it on television or while people are playing, take a minute to watch. You might stumble upon something that will bring you a great deal of enjoyment. If in any moment you enjoy it half as much as I have, then you might start to understand a little more about ""The Perfect Game.\
