APTA revitalizes Equipment Committee – paddle specifications adjusted and hole size becomes a problem

Bob Brown, an ex-President of the APTA, was named Chair of a revitalized committee tasked with evaluating balls and rackets to see that they met standard specifications.

The Mid-Winter edition of Platform Tennis News gave the background to this new initiative:

“One problem has surfaced: Rackets with holes larger than the mandated 3/8-inch diameter. Some come that way accidentally from the manufacturer. Rumor is that some players have made them wider at home. Bigger holes afford an illegal competitive advantage, giving more spin and better control to the user. THEY ARE NOT ALLOWABLE. If you bought one by accident (just get a 3/ 8 inch dowel to check), take it back to the person you bought it from and get another. Nobody should use illegal rackets at any time, whether it’s a pick-up match or the National finals. If a racket is found illegal at an APTA sponsored event, it will be disallowed from that tournament. If you get caught using it a second time at such an event, YOU will be disallowed from the tournament.”

Note: At the May 1990 BOD Meeting the racquet specifications where adjusted as follows: total length is 18 1/16″; thickness is expanded to 9/16″; and, the paddle face is predominantly one color, excluding yellow.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid Winter 1990 and APTA May 1990 BOD Meeting Minutes

NOTE: For the history of the paddle from the early days through early 1990s: Jim Tate’s article The Paddle Itself has a History Too!

Platform Tennis News reports on Juniors

APTA promotes Juniors

Platform Tennis News reported on a 12 & under and 15 & under tournament run by Bobo Delaney at Montclair Golf Club, as well as a Junior clinic at Short Hills featuring Hank Irvine, Paul Quinn, Greg Moore, and Lloyd Ucko.

“Junior paddle got off to a bang this Fall in the East as Bobo Mangan Delaney opened the season with a fun tournament for the 12-under and 15-under set at Montclair Golf Club (NJ) in October. Due to the size of the draw, some events were run as round robins. The enthusiasm generated by professionals like Bobo makes all the difference in organizing a successful platform tennis event. Kids love to come out and play – round robins, tournaments, beat the pro-whatever! Get organized so your club can be the next to host a junior event.

Another special event occurred in November when Hank Irvine, Paul Quinn, Greg Moore, and Lloyd Ucko instructed children in the fine art of paddle tennis. The APTA Junior Paddle Day was held only in Short Hills this year, but promises to make a national appearance again next season. The kids participated in small groups learning volley technique, serving skills and wire play, as well as ground-strokes. The most popular part of the session was a ‘Beat the Pro’ game where several kids matched their skills against Ucko’s serve (hit it if you can find it!) and Moore’s return (duck and maybe it’ll be out??).”

Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1990

Charity and the game

The Children’s Village (Dobbs Ferry, NY) Tournament, held annually at Fox Meadow, was now in its ninth year and the results had been fabulous. From $900 the first year to over $10,000 the previous year, money was donated to this worthy cause through a slew of sponsors, silent auctions, direct donations and the open hearts and wallets of the women’s platform tennis community.

Much of the credit for this best run/ most fun tourney went to Fox Meadow member Barbara Rau and her able colleagues Barb Lippe, Yvonne Robinson and Delsa Wilson.

There was an anonymous “Super Angel” who kicked in big bucks every year. Home Insurance Co. also received an angel designation, while Family Circle Magazine was a benefactor, and People’s Westchester Savings Bank and Hedstrom Corp. were Patrons. As noted in the Winter 1990 issue of PTN, “The list of donors and friends runs the length of the baseline. What it all adds up to is a platform tennis tournament that not only helps players’ games, but helps needy kids as well.”

The article added one other observation: “There’s some food for thought here. Platform can be a vehicle for lots of competitive action and warm friendships. But as these individuals have proven, its strength can be translated far beyond the bounds of the court itself. Next time you’re involved in organizing an event, at any level from club to county to region, think good will. Is there a way to tie platform to a community charity or organization? It benefits us all.”

Source: Platform Tennis News, Winter 1990

APTA President Chuck Vasoll comments on a “no-let rule” proposal

Vasoll penned an article for the Winter edition of PTN covering an informal conversation he had had with Robert Brown, former APTA President and the President of Region I, who had suggested that platform tennis take the lead in the elimination of the “let” on the serve. No changes were being proposed, but APTA membership was encouraged to provide opinions.

The game goes to Sweden

Tom Rodgers at Eastern Mountain Platform Tennis built the first court in Stockholm, Sweden in the Fall of 1988. Rick Williams and Fritz Odenbach helped promote the game by conducting an exhibition and clinics.

Rick Williams reported on the experience in the Mid-Winter edition of Platform Tennis News:

“Our host was Jan Stenbeck who is an enthusiastic player now residing on Long Island but still cultivating many strong Swedish ties. Located on city property near a public tennis/sport facility and in the shadow of the 1912 summer Olympic stadium in Stockholm, the public exposure is tremendous. This could be the beginning of a paddle tennis explosion in Sweden.

The climate is perfect for paddle with an average winter temperature a touch below freezing, short days with a long season and the Swedish passion for outdoor sports. It is a natural. A wonderful gentleman named Per Tornell was our host, organizer and guide during our week-long stay. Per is an enthusiastic player, thus making him currently one of Sweden’s finest. An exhibition was organized complete with incredible food prepared by Master Chef Erik. The shrimp and caviar finger sandwiches were very tasty.

During the week, interested people stopped to watch our play as clinics and pointers were given. This culminated at the exhibition where the crowds chanted for the USA vs. Sweden. Our opponents were Ola Hallgren and Dan Rastland, both previously A TP touring pros. Ola and Dan played on the NCAA tennis circuit with University of Utah and Rice University, respectively. Both are very accomplished tennis pros and players, and after a few go rounds, paddle players as well.

The exhibition took place in the pouring rain; fortunately the crowed was protected by a large tent. With television cameras rolling, the play began. The crowd was tough and the friendly cheering and jeering added to the flavor. I asked Fritz if he knew any good jokes. We tried to work the crowd, but now we know how Rodney D. feels. No respect. The first set went to the U.S. 6-2 and the second set battled to 5-5 before the U.S. prevailed 7-5. Hence the Swedish National Champions.

We realized that based on the skills and ability to pick up the game very quickly, the Swedes were naturals. Given a year’s time Dan and Ola could compete against anyone in the game. The cultural exchange and friendships made were fantastic and in keeping with the spirit of platform tennis. Fritz and I would like to thank all those involved in this exchange and hope that this sport will continue to grow internationally. Most of all, we’d like to thank Tom Rogers and Jan Stenbeck for this opportunity to give something back to the sport that has given us all so much.”

Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1989

APTA conditionally approves new publication, PTN Update; A. T Cross exclusive sponsor

The Mid-Winter edition of Platform Tennis News carried this article:

“It has been conceived but it is not yet born. If it survives, it will be named ‘PTN UPDATE.’ Like so many publications similarly designated, its mission is to bring current news to everyone while it is still, well, current. In our situation, the principal news will be the results of tournaments around the nation, any schedule changes, and information on competition in various leagues. ‘PTN UPDATE’ will take the shape of a “newsletter’ while Platform Tennis News will move more towards being a ‘magazine.’ It is expected that the new publication will be four letter-size pages in length, with one page being reserved for addressing and advertising.

To minimize cost and expedite production, no pictures are planned. These will continue to be used in Platform Tennis News. At present, three issues are being considered. They would be mailed in mid-December, early February, and late March. The APTA Board of Directors approved the concept, but was wary of the cost. Since the speed of delivery is a most important element, first class postage is a major item of expense. At this time, an all out effort is being started to obtain an exclusive advertiser to assist with the funding. If your business, or some business that you know, would be interested in becoming the exclusive advertiser in ‘PTN Update,’ please contact the APTA office. If this “brain child” is to be born, we will need a sponsor.”

The newsletter added the following note:

“We have just received word that A. T. Cross, maker of fine writing instruments, has agreed to be the exclusive advertiser in ‘PTN UPDATE.’ First issue will be mailed in mid-December.” Brad Boss, an enthusiastic player in Rhode Island, was President of A. T. Cross.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1989

Equipment changes help grow the game

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, racquets became more responsive, balls became livelier, and there was a general trend toward tighter screen tension. All these changes facilitated learning the sport and increased enjoyment for the recreational player.

The average player could now sustain extended rallies and balls wouldn’t simply die on the screens. At the highest levels of the game, however, long points and tight screens pushed the physical threshold of players further than ever.

Paddle around the world

Platform tennis was not only enjoying a resurgence in the United States, but its boundaries were expanding worldwide.

Alfred Schulter sent expansion news from Austria. Schulter had built the first two courts in his country with construction information and encouragement from the APTA home office. At the time, he was building new courts for the Sporting University in Graz, in the south of Austria. The Second Open National Championship of Styria (Graz region) was scheduled for Nov. 10-12.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1989

Leaning towards Leagues

In an effort to extend its services to more paddle players at every skill level, the APTA created a new position on its Board and appointed Mark Allen as its first-ever liaison to platform leagues.

Platform Tennis News began carrying information on league activities, and started the ball rolling with a review of the exceptional growth of one of the East Coast’s most successful programs, the New Jersey Men’s Platform Tennis League.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1989