WPH Handball Destination Series Showcases the High Desert
WPH Showcase, High Desert, CA
The WPH is excited to continue the WPH Handball Destination Series to showcase the world’s greatest handball cities and venues. On this edition of the WPH Handball Destination Series, we will feature the High Desert, CA, home to handball immortals Naty Alvarado, Sr., John Bike, Jr., Naty Alvarado, Jr., SR48 star Chris Watkins and rising R48 stars Jab Bike and Ryan Watkins.
Courts in the High Desert
- Three 4-wall courts at In-Shape Health club in Victorville (small ball and big ball)
- One 4-wall court at Bear Valley Country Club (small ball)
- One 3-wall court at Naty Alvarado Sr’s house (big ball)
- One 1-wall court at Naty Alvarado Sr’s house (big ball)
Most Popular Times to Play in the High Desert
- Most small ball play happens at In-Shape Health Club, usually 2-3 times a week – multiple times midweek and always once on the weekend.
- Occasional small ball play at Bear Valley Country club
- Summer time and major holidays – outdoor big ball at Naty Alvarado, Sr.’s outdoor courts
Singles and Doubles in the High Desert
- A good mix of singles, doubles, 2 vs. 1, and cutthroat. Just depends on who is there and everyone that is playing and what they want to do
High Desert Community Leader – Chris Watkins
Waddy Dog sets up most games and reserves the courts for weekly play
Number of Small Ball Players in the High Desert
7-8 Current small ball players: John A. Bike (Jab), John Bike Jr., Chris Watkins, Ryan Watkins, Alex Gonzalez, Marty Gonzalez, John Robles.
Top Players in the High Desert: Jab Bike and Chris Watkins.
Joshua tree and boulders at Joshua Tree National Park in California
Current and Past Tournaments in the High Desert
- Current: There has not been a small ball 4-Wall tournament in the High Desert since 2005
- Past: Naty Alvarado Sr, used to host the Naty Alvarado Handball classic at the Cardio Fit Club in Victorville, right off the 15 freeway, starting in 1990 and running through 2005 before it moved to Los Caballeros in 2006, when the tournament turned into the US Open of Handball
- The top players in the game used to come to Victorville between 1990-2005 to play in the Naty Alvarado Handball Classic
- Notable players like John Bike Jr, Naty Alvarado Jr, Dave Chapman, Dan Armijo, Vince Munoz, Sean Lenning, Tati Silveyra, Eddie Silveyra, Eddie Chapa, David Silveyra, Randy Morones, Chris Watkins, John Robles, Richard Valenzuela, Danny Bell, and many others.
Guests are always welcome in the High Desert!
“We do not have guests as often as we would like, but I would anticipate starting this summer, more people will be coming up from other areas in Southern California,” stated Jab Bike. “Usually, we drive down to play in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles with other players.”
What does R48 Pro Jab Bike like most about playing in the High Desert?
“Definitely playing at my grandpa’s house. It is a good mix of competitiveness and friendliness when playing at my grandpa’s (Naty Alvarado, Sr.) house. We play doubles mostly with games to 15, rally scoring, straight up no win by 2. My grandpa built the courts in 2014, and we have been playing there, mostly big ball, ever since that year. There have been many family and friends who have played games at these courts. A lot of good times have been spent playing handball at my grandpa’s house. I am hoping we can do some tournaments there shortly in the near future.”
Thank you to Jab Bike for sharing info and what he loves about handball in California’s High Desert.
Would you like to see your handball facility featured on an upcoming edition of WPH Handball Destination Series? Please contact David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv to showcase your city
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer