More on the ball

APTA President Chuck Vasoll reported on progress in the Mid-Winter edition of PTN.

We received several responses to our ad for a “Rubber Chemist” to aid us in our search for improvements to “The Ball.”

We will be following up on them with the hope that it will be fruitful in bringing us an improved product for our game. Speaking of the “ball,” I recently delivered a supply to the captain of one our women’s teams. As I was descending the steps at the rear of her house, I could not believe my eyes. There growing in the garden were “Platform Tennis Balls.” Closer inspection, however, showed them to be yellow gourds. Unfortunately, this picture in black and white is not as striking as the color original, but you can visualize it. When I mentioned this finding and put up the picture on our warm-up hut bulletin board, I was told that it was a great idea to grow the balls, except the cost of the seed was $6.50 for a sleeve of three.”

Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1988