New players for February

We now have a logo for the club! Lots of thanks go to Marek Zochowski and Robert Trudell for the creation. Great idea in combining all of the elements! Now if someone can come up with a name for the newsletter.

At Mesa Table Tennis we control who plays at each table by what is referred to as open play.

You are probably asking what does open play mean. Open play means that all of the tables are available for anyone to play at. There are some rules that we must follow in order for everyone to have an enjoyable time.

1. If you would like to challenge a table, place your paddle or case on the floor in the middle of the table. If there are other paddles there, take note on which one you are because its first come, first play.
2. All matches will be best 2 out of 3 games. This means that the first person to win 2 games, wins the match.
3. After the match is completed, the winner of the match will stay at the table to play the next person.
4. The person who placed their paddle at the table first will then play the winner of the match.
5. If your ball goes into another's playing area, do not go after it, let the players in the other playing area get it for you.
6. If the ball from another playing area comes into your playing area, stop play and retrieve the ball for the other players.
7. Be courteous to others

What makes a good serve

1. Ball is held freely on the flat, open palm
2. Ball is held behind the end line and above the level of the playing surface
3. Ball is then projected near vertically upwards at least 6 inches without touching anything
4. The server shall strike the ball at it is falling so that it touches the server's court first and then passes over or around the net assembly and then touches the receiver's side
5. Ball and racket will be behind the end line from the time the ball is held stationary until the ball is struck

See section 7 of the Laws of Table Tennis for further details

The Club will be closed on March 29.

Tournament Time! Don't forget about the Arizona Open Table Tennis Tournament to be held on February 21 and 22.

Arizona Handicap Open - March 15, 1998. This is a tournament designed for everyone! See additional information on this web page.

This month's tips are to get the players familiar with the terms used in table tennis.

Rally - When the ball is in play

Let - A rally of which the result is not scored, also when the serve hits the net and lands on the opponent's side

Loop - A shot with a tremendous amount of topspin on it

Chop - A shot with a tremendous amount of backspin on it

Push - A shot with less backspin than a chop

Ping-Pong - 1) Generally refers to a recreation whereas table tennis is a sport. 2) Brand name registered by Escalade Sports

A table will be made available for anyone who is interested in training instead of playing challenge matches. All one has to do is sign up to reserve a time. The length of time for training session will be limited to one hour. You may sign up for a time slot up to one week in advance. If no one has signed up for a session, the table will be made available for open play.

The use of the table will be on a first person to sign up gets the time basis. So find a partner and decide your schedule of drills to practice on!

There will be no extra cost for the use of the table.

The Mesa Table Tennis Club will be hosting the firs Arizona Handicap Open Table Tennis Tournament on March 15, 1998. The tournament will run from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.. This tournament is designed to give everyone a chance at winning the top prize of $50 with $25 going to the number 2 person.

For the people who are not familiar with a handicap tournament, here is a brief overview on how it works. Prior to the start of the match the difference between the players' rating will be calculated. This difference will determine how many points the lower rated player will receive at the start of each game. The number of points can range from 0 to 17. This allows the lower rated players to compete evenly with the top players like Peiyuan, Marek, Robert and Kristin.

Just think of the story that you may be able to tell after winning this tournament! It may go something like this: You see this trophy here, I won this when my rating was 1300! I was hot that day! I started out by beating a 1800 player, moved on and beat a 2000 rated player ……

Time: March 15, 1998 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Fee: $10

Rules: USATT rules govern play. Matches will be best 2 out 3, finals to be best 3 out of 5. 21 point game handicap format to be used for all rounds. For example, if your rating is 1457 and your opponent is rated 1687, you will begin each game with 7 points. Unrated players will receive estimated rating.

NOTICE: Entry into the tournament is limited to the first 32 players to enter. So sign up early as no accommodations will be made for more than 32 players.

Directions: From U.S. 60 (Superstition Freeway) exit at Country Club. Go north to Broadway. Go east on Broadway. The Recreation Center is located on the south side of Broadway.

To Enter: Make check payable to Mesa Table Tennis Club. Mail form and payment to: Wayne Johnson, 150 S. Roosevelt Rd., Apt. 1159, Mesa, AZ 85202. For further information call: (602) 967-3397

Name ________________________ Actual or Estimated Rating ______

Address ____________________________________________

City ___________ State _____ Zip ___________

Phone Number _______________________

Times to Play

Sunday afternoons from 1:00 - 5:00, unless shown in Dates to Remember

Mesa Table Tennis Club plays at Broadway Rec. Center 59 E. Broadway, Mesa

Mesa Table Tennis has available 7 Stiga Expert Rollers

Activities Include

For Seniors - 50 years & Over

Tuesdays and Thursdays

9 am - 11 am

Beginning January 20, 1998

Broadway Recreation Center

59 E. Broadway

Fee: $2 Per Day

All Necessary Equipment Provided

For more information call

644-3479

The table tennis players in Arizona now have a new club available in Mesa, Arizona.

The Club is located at the Broadway Recreation Center located at 59 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ.

Hours of play will be Sunday afternoons from 1:00 - 5:00.

We are thankful to the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Mesa who has provided the club with 8 new Stiga Expert Roller tables. The tables are the same as the tables that are used in most major table tennis tournaments in the United States.

Come and enjoy the sport of table tennis. Players from every skill level will be available to test your skills in the second most popular sport in the world!

The cost of playing is an economical fee of $2.00 for the entire afternoon. Spectators are encouraged to come and watch for free.

Watch the newsletter for additional information on the club and table tennis news.

Ideas are being solicited for information to be included in the newsletter. Some ideas that have been brought up are; a) playing tips b) rules of the game c) tournament updates

This section of the news letter will keep you informed of important dates in the world of table tennis.

If you find out about a table tennis event, just let Wayne know so that it can be included.

Good News! The club will be open every Sunday for the month of January from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m..

Bad News. The club will be closed February 1, 1998

Tournament Time! The Arizona Open Table Tennis Tournament is scheduled for February 21-22. Entry forms will be available at the club. Call Robert Trudell at (602) 641-2153 for additional information.

Club Tournament. We are presently trying to put together and Ice Breaker Tournament at the club on February 15. This is a fun event for all players. Will keep everyone informed on the details.

For additional information on the club of table tennis in general please contact Wayne Johnson at: 602 967-3397

The Mesa Table Tennis Club is sponsored by the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Department.