"The hard ball is a much faster game. The ball behaves much more quickly. It makes for a more offensive game and points are a little shorter, but the game was harder to pick up. Now, with the softer ball, there's a little more bounce to the ball, which makes it a little slower and easier to hit."

Despite all the benefits of squash, the game has been slow to catch on here in Utah, especially among women and children.

Bennett said the center is working to promote the sport within the female and younger ranks.

"Really, the new softer ball has made this an ideal sport for women," he explained. "It's become more balanced between offense and defense, so physical power is not such a big part of the game. Women can play against men and not find themselves overwhelmed by the power game."

Bennett brings in a couple of traveling pro tours each summer — one men's and one women's, "just to show the level of play."

In the meantime, he will continue to do his best to let people know that squash — the game — is both fun and healthy.

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