Italian Champs Looks To Retain Title Despite Tough Competition

Beach Tennis USA(R), the organization responsible for launching the pro sport of beach tennis in North America, will hold its 2008 National Beach Tennis Championship in Long Beach, New York on Labor Day Weekend. The National Championship tournament, which is the final event of a 10-city tour, will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31 and will be taped for broadcast to over 60 million homes on SportsNet New York (SNY), Tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, and select Comcast SportsNet affiliates. The event site is located on the beach at Riverside Blvd. near the Boardwalk in Long Beach, New York.

This year as many as 75 Men and Women’s Pro division teams from 12 countries are expected to compete in the National Championship event. Although the defending champions, Matteo Marighella and Alex Mingozzi (Ravenna, IT) are favored to win, several teams from the U.S. and other countries are hoping to quell the Italian’s dominance in the new pro sport. One such team that looks to have the best chance is the 2005 & 2006 National Champions Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson (Charleston, SC), who are vying to reclaim their crown after having experienced a resurgence this season. In the Women’s Pro Division, three-time National Champion Nadia Johnston (Long Beach, NY), will be entering into the competition with a new partner and after having participated in only one tournament this season. The finals match just might pose a rematch from last season, with Johnston defending her title against a team that has completely dominated the Women’s division this year-Laura and Lisa Maloney (San Diego, CA).

Preliminary qualifying play for the Women’s Pro divisions will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with elimination rounds throughout the day. Elimination rounds for the Men’s Pro division will begin Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and the Men and Women’s Pro finals will take place Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.

About Beach Tennis USA

Beach tennis, which was launched in the U.S. as a pro and recreational sport in 2005 by real estate developer Marc Altheim, combines tennis and beach volleyball into one exciting and fast-paced game. Now in its fourth season, Beach Tennis USA has garnered increased attention while hosting events in South Florida, Southern California and New York. Beach Tennis USA has also gained recognition in the tennis world, attracting many former top-rated tennis players and having televised competitions featured on Tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, Comcast SportsNet, and SportsNet New York (SNY). The company continues to grow by adding new licensees in various U.S. cities and establishing “Team Beach Tennis,” which promotes year-round league play. To learn more about this fast-growing sport, or to become a licensee, please visit www.beachtennisusa.net .

Source: Beach Tennis USA

Make-A-Wish Recipient Named Grand Marshal of Aug. 16 Race Along with Three-Time Grammy Nominated Artist Pat Green

Carfax today named Make-A-Wish recipient Eric Wright and country music star Pat Green as grand marshals of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Carfax 250 at Michigan International Speedway. Following the conclusion of the Carfax 250, Green will perform a free concert along with fellow country singer Danielle Peck for fans attending the race.

The Carfax 250 will take place on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

“This year’s Carfax 250 will be the best yet in its three-year history,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. “We get to make a wish come true for Eric, a NASCAR and country music lover who kicks off the race with Pat Green. NASCAR fans will be treated to an electrifying race and fun-filled day that brings out the kid in all of us.”

Thirteen year-old Eric Wright, from Eaton Rapids, Mich., was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Pat Green has been nominated for three Grammy awards and recorded ten studio albums in his 13 year career.

Tickets for the Carfax 250 and free concert featuring Pat Green are available at http://www.carfax250.com/.

Source: Carfax

For the abandoned US poker players whose online poker accounts were closed by the gaming operators as a result of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

There is now a new way to stay in touch with what is happening in the poker world. www.PlayPing.com of Austria is a new Web 2.0 gaming community, bringing together poker players from all over the world including the US.

Every member has various methods to communicate with other members at his disposal and receives additional member benefits like a welcome gift, personal profile webspace, blogs, private messaging box, picture sharing, live chat, instant messenger or free classified ads.

PlayPing.com also provides its members with one-click access to 348 radio stations from around the world which is unheard of among the online gambling community.

US registered poker players are also given extensive information about how to continue their favourite game online.

Heinz Hoja, Founder of PlayPing.com and creator of the community comments. “Some time ago we realized the need for a gambling community setup that goes beyond the sole functionality of an ordinary forum. When President Bush signed the new law on online gambling, which outlawed financial transactions for online gambling in games of chance, we knew then that our time had come.”

“We want http://www.playping.com/ to be the virtual place where US poker players mingle, chat, exchange information or individually express themselves to the fullest in these difficult times. ”

The act forced some foreign gambling companies to close their operations in the US and shut down US customer accounts, most of them poker players, who now feel deserted.

Recognising their dilemma PlayPing set up the site and the community network was launched, what followed was an uptake not just of poker players but of a gaming community in general, which included casino players, sports bettors, bingo lovers and those interested in similar games through a platform of mutual interest and communication.

One other distinct advantage for those interested in joining http://www.playping.com/ is there is no charge for the service currently.

Source: PlayPing.com