WPH Handball Destination Series Showcases Rainbow Beach in Chicago
WPH Showcase, Tucson, AZ
The WPH is excited to introduce the WPH Handball Destination Series to showcase the world’s greatest handball venues. On this edition of the WPH Handball Destination Series, we will feature Chicago’s Rainbow Beach, featuring three courts 100 yards from Lake Michigan on Chicago’s South Side.
Rainbow Beach
Number of courts: 3
Number of handball players: 20
Popular handball hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (Sunday mornings are the most popular)
Rainbow Beach handball season: April-November (weather permitting)
Biggest tournaments at Rainbow Beach: Rainbow Beach Singles (August), Rainbow Beach Doubles (July)
Address: South Side of Chicago on 76th and the Lake Michigan
Most famous tournament played at Rainbow Beach: 1988 singles won by Naty Alvarado, Sr.
“The 1988 singles was Rainbow Beach’s most famous tournament because Naty, Sr. attended as a favor to tournament organizers,” stated Rainbow Beach historian Stefano Crancich. “Naty was not playing Toledo that year so this was his big outdoor event of the year.”
“I remember the 1988 Rainbow Beach event,” stated Hall of Famer John Bike. “Saturday was a complete rainout so we had to play three matches on Sunday. It was one of the strongest fields I can remember. Vince (Munoz) was there but this was before he started winning everything outdoors.”
After a grueling Sunday, Bike led his future father-in-law 10-7 in the tiebreaker. Naty called a timeout, earned a side out, and scored four consecutive points to win the match and title.
“I love playing at Rainbow Beach because it’s a family friendly place,” stated Crancich. “I bring my kids down there. Lake Michigan is about 100 yards from the courts. We grill out there.”
Rainbow Beach is one of the world’s most scenic 3-Wall complexes and definitely a bucket list location for all handballers. Thank you to Stefano Crancich for contributing to this WPH Destination Series.
Rainbow Beach pictures courtesy of Stefano Crancich.
Would you like to see your handball community featured on an upcoming edition of WPH Handball Destination Series? Please contact David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv to showcase your community
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer