The April APTA Paddle Newsletter included two Times’ articles on the game – one previewing the upcoming Men’s Nationals at Fox Meadow, published on February 27th, and a March 26th article by Suzanne S. Fremon entitled “It’s Dawn for Platform Tennis.”
On the recommendation of Eagle Rubber Company, the APTA introduced a yellow ball (the “night ball”) in 1972.
Other ball manufacturers soon followed their lead. Vittert produced the V-29 ball while Marcraft introduced both a red and yellow ball named “Big M.” Other manufacturers, like Barr, Puma and Bullet began producing orange and red balls as the game took off through the 1970’s.
Source: Christina Kelly,Passing Shots: A Pictorial History of Platform Tennis, 2010 and Robert A. Brown,personal communication.
The February APTA Paddle Newsletter discussed the issue of handling the large draws:
“As the Men’s Doubles grows, the APTA is faced with the problem of the strain of the tournament on the host club, particularly in that the tourney is held over two weekends. Of concern also is that players from out of town who are defeated on the first weekend must return the following weekend to see the semi-finals and finals. There is also the distinct possibility of having to have a larger draw than 128 teams. Accordingly, the 3 following alternatives are being considered:
1. Confine the tournament to one weekend by having competition begin on Friday, and have a maximum draw of 128 teams. If necessary, hold regional qualifying rounds on the prior weekend to maintain a final draw of 128 teams.
2. Hold regional tournaments for places in a final draw of 64 teams and hold the
64 team tournaments on a single, 2-day weekend.
3. Maintain the current 3-day schedule on two weekends and hold the draw to a maximum of 128 teams and accept entries in order received. In the event of a larger draw than 128 teams, hold qualifying rounds the previous weekend.
The executive committee is interested in comments concerning the above 3 alternatives.”
The decision was subsequently made to adopt alternative one for both the Men’s and Mixed.
Source: The APTA Paddle Newsletter, Vol. 2 No. 2
The Annual Minutes reported:
“The APTA will have a new dues policy this year, notice of which has been sent out. Briefly, any individual who is a member of a dues paying club in the Association is eligible to play in any APTA Tournament. However, in order to be on the mailing list, he must pay annual dues of $3.00. Any individual who is not a member of a member club becomes a member of the Association upon payment of the $3.00 dues and can play in any APTA Tournament and will be put on the mailing list. (Obviously, one $3.00 payment is sufficient to cover the family).”
Source: The APTA Paddle Newsletter
From the APTA Annual Minutes:
“Robert Frothingham reported on efforts with Barr Rubber Company to improve the ball and asked Stan Greene of Marcraft to report on their efforts to enter this activity. Mr. Greene stated that they have a source for balls but are still working on the flocking problem. They hope to have limited quantities available this season.”
On November 1st, 128 people attended the meeting at the Princeton Club in New York City. The Minutes reflected the creation of satellite events to satisfy the needs of the growing interest in the game; the introduction of National rankings; the rapid growth of women’s play; and a request to the Nominating Committee to nominate a woman as Co-Tournament Chair to give women representation on the Board.
The APTA also established a trophy for the “individual man or woman gaining the most points from tournament play,” with Moët Hennessey donating the cups each year.
The Minutes of the meeting also included comments by outgoing APTA President Paul Molloy on the progress made over the past two years of his term, the financial statements, tournament results, Men’s and Women’s Rankings and a brief report of developments with the ball.
The Nominating Committee report showed that there were now eight Regional VPs
At the end of the Meeting Dick Squires showed his latest promotional video Dick Squires Presents SMAC!
Source: The APTA Paddle Newsletter, Vol. 3 No. 1
The September APTA Paddle Newsletter reported:
“Starting this winter, paddle in New York City is a reality.
The place is the Town Tennis Club. Sports Marketing Associates Corporation1 has joined with the exclusive Town Tennis Club in a joint platform tennis venture. They have three lighted courts available for lunchtime or after work play or all the time if you live in New York or don’t want to go home.
Also, complete clubhouse services from cocktails to meals to locker rooms with saunas. Sounds pretty plush.
By membership only and same covers the paddle facility only from November I thru March 31.”
Note 1: SMAC was owned by “Mr. Paddle”, the future Hall of Fame inductee Dick Squires
Source: The APTA Paddle Newsletter, Vol. 2 No. 3
APTA sought reaction from players to this innovation by the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA1)
Note 1: The USTA was previously known as the United States National Lawn Tennis Association that was established in 1881. In 1920 the word “National” was dropped and in 1975 the word “Lawn” was dropped
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