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