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Is it just me? (18)
Re: Its just not cricket.by Donald 22 years ago
The following message (subject: Re: Its just not cricket.) was posted by Donald, on 12/17/2002 11:08:49 AM:
| Hello Hawk eyed, I recall having read Mr. Simon's report and proposal several year's ago but did not really pay much attention to it at the time. Afterall, I confess to having been guilty of the Type A, elite mindset when I first read it. The club existed first and foremost as a vehicle for tournament training and competition. As I developed as a player I was not too terribly interested in playing those who could not challenge or improve my own skills nor was I too very interested in playing under conditions which were less than optimal. I was of the USATT elitist mindset even though I was always far from being even close to a National Level contender. Having experienced four years of not being able to play tends to put things a bit more in perspective. I now realize the vast importance of the recreational player (one who plays merely for fun, excercise, enjoyment, companionship, etc.) as being the lifeblood of this sport. My workplace is literally filled with hundreds of this type of player. Their skill level is low but they enjoy the game. Most have never even heard of the USATT and most could care less about it. Their perception of such an organization is that it is primarily for skilled players and they do not feel qualified to join in their limited skills. They are afraid of being embarrassed. I used to seek out and play only those players with whom I work who could provide serious competition. Now I will play with whoever happens to want to play. Some definitely seem eager to improve and I am more than happy to assist them in any way I can but if their form is less than sterling, I am not going to spoil their enjoyment of the game by becoming too technical with them. So what if they are not proficient in all the rules of the game? They are truly the heart and future of the sport. It is they who spend the money for equipment. I really like the idea of League play although under current conditions in the US, I don't see how a league within the club (as suggested by the author of the article) is possible when most clubs have but perhaps a dozen or so members and the closest club in proximity to that club is a three hour drive away. I think table tennis sells itself as a sport when people are able to play and improve. It will grow when the kids are able to play and enjoy friendly competitions with one another. It needs to be introduced into the schools in some fashion and at some point. Newgy Industries (of Newgy table tennis robot fame) has developed and implimented a program which introduces table tennis to schools and physical education instructors. I think this sort of program has potential. I would go further than the author of the article and suggest that the USATT needs to be scrapped altogether or completely reorganized. I enjoyed my time in the USATT and enjoyed personal benefit as a player but I was of the more serious mind to improve. In the end, the USATT is exactly as described, an elitist organization interested only in the top players within the organization. It is not interested in the guy or girl with horrible strokes who will never win a single tournament or event. Yet, these are the very people who pay the bills. Killerspin may generate some interest among the "19.8 million" but what then? They will perhaps find a USATT club of players who will systematically beat their brains out and humiliate them in any way possible. If the newcomer fails to come back, so what? He wasn't good anyway. His strokes were poor, strategy awful, service illegal; Back to the basement with you! I'm sure Killerspin will be a magnificent tournament. A spectacle to dazzle and behold. Unfortunately, throwing money at the problem will not provide the answer to the question of table tennis' popularity in the US. When the USATT focuses it's attention on Marsha Lynn rather than Ma Lin then perhaps the sport will grow. Thank you, Hawk eyed, for drawing my attention to that article. I am able to read it with a different perspective this time around. Take care, Donald |