Paul Malloy, Chair of the APTA Umpires Committee reflected on recent deliberations in the August edition of Paddle Talk:
A very controversial subject in the game of paddle is the “foot-fault rule.” Everyone understands that a player may not touch the baseline or step into the court before making contact with the ball. Most people also are aware that a player may swing his foot over the baseline during the service as long as the foot doesn't touch the court prior to striking the ball. Gordon Gray, during his championship years with Sam Sammis, used to give foot-fault judges fits because the swinging foot was practically on the deck as he struck the ball. He has since modified his delivery and no longer swings the foot over the line.
The most troublesome area of the Foot-fault rule comes under Rule 7 (a), which says ,”The server shall throughout the delivery of the service: No[...]
The APTA authorized the formation of this body in June 1976. Its mandate was to foster the development of platform tennis outside the United States and to coordinate international activities.
Burns Park in Massapequa, NY, installed the first public platform tennis courts on Long Island's south shore. The plans for the park included the community courts after Gloria McLoughlin of Harbour Green collected 500 names on a petition to the town board.
Hilton was one of twelve female athletes, and the first platform tennis player asked to compete on ABC’s Women Superstars. The following year she was asked to provide commentary alongside host Al Michaels.
Ken Ward (1900- 1977): A founding father of the APTA
Back to TopKen Ward at Maursing Island Club, Rye NY.
As President of the APTA from 1939-42, winner of one of the first Honor Awards in 1965, and inventor of the Scrambles tournament, Ken Ward's contributions to platform tennis were many and various. He was a friend of all the pioneers of the game in the early days and maintained his interest throughout the years.
John Ware said, "Ken Ward was kind of a special man. He was a great advocator of platform tennis. He had, you might say, an acute case of the game. I remember him as being a presence at close to 40 Annual Meetings. Every year, he would get up and give the Board his personal vote of confidence and thanks. He had a graciousness and dry wit and a wonderful way of expressing himself."
Ken Ward had this to say in a letter to Bob Brown, Chairman of the Presidents' Council, after the last Annual Meeting:
"I thought the meeting went off very well. Everyone was well prepared. I [...]
The organization grew from the original five clubs in 1967 to seventeen clubs by 1976, and now included the Sewickely YMCA and the Mt. Lebanon Community Courts. The first five years saw a formation of a men's League, followed by women's A, B and C Leagues. In 1976, there were plans for an informal junior League.
Back to Top1976 Girls Fifteen and Under National Champions: Laura Parker and Becky Brown of FMTC
In the fall, the Suburban Indoor Tennis Club in Randolph, Massachusetts held the inaugural tournament. Draws were held for both boys and girls in the 11 & under and 15 & under categories.
APTA struggles with balance between amateur and professional play.
At the Annual Meeting, APTA President Mike North reflected on the issue:
The key question is this: How should the APTA cope with growth and commercialization? These are the conclusions I have come to: There should be a clear-cut division between commercial and non-commercial activities within the APTA.
Commercial activity should continue to come under the aegis of the APTA board so that the “sound development of the game” can be controlled, but, because of the time demands, the APTA office should be split into two function areas, with the commercial headed by a second paid Executive Secretary. There should also be a separation of commercial and non-commercial tournaments, with the tournaments, at least initially, held on the same weekend at the same location, as is being done at Cleveland this year. This has[...]
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