Table Tennis

Club of the Month: North East Alabama TTC

By Michael S. Harris

The North East Alabama Table Tennis club was sanctioned by USATT in April 2005. We are a new club and anxious to become one of the stronger clubs in Alabama. Our club hosted the Alabama State Championships in 2004 and 2005, the first ever Alabama State Teams and Hardbat Championships in 2006, and we also run the non-sanctioned Traveling Trophy Tournament. We hope the Teams and Hardbat will become an annual event here at our club in Anniston.

The NEATT club's objective is for the encouragement and promotion of the sport of table tennis in Alabama and the Calhoun County area as a wholesome form of physical recreation and competition. It is our desire for everyone to have fun and fellowship as a member and grow the sport we all love.

As a club we are fortunate to have a great facility to play in at the Anniston Army Depot's physical fitness center. Anniston Army Depot is a Department of Defense facility where army combat vehicles are maintained for Operation Iraqi Freedom. We have ten Butterfly Centerfold tables, two Stiga Prestige tables, one Stiga Elite table, a Newgy Robot, excellent lighting, air conditioning, hard wood floors and navy blue walls to contrast with the ball color; which all add up to a great atmosphere to play and compete.

The club has players that range in rating from 500 to 2000 and we also have two Paralympics players. We play on Tuesday (4-9 p.m.) and Saturday (12-4 p.m.) all year long. The club also has a Ladder Competition.

It is our sincere desire to extend a special word of thanks to the Anniston Army Depot for their continued support of our club and the sport of table tennis state-wide. We would love for you to stop by and see what our club has to offer and also visit our club's website at www.neatt.us for directions and more information on the club.

2006 Traveling Trophy

The first annual "NEATT Traveling Trophy Tournament" hosted by North East Alabama Table Tennis club turned

out to be a big success. The concept of the "Annual Traveling Trophy Tournament" came from a suggestion by one of the clubs European visitors, Mr. Werner Schaefer. Table tennis is widely played in Europe, and a common practice among neighboring towns is to compete for a single, very special trophy. This trophy is engraved yearly with the new champion's name. After many years of play, the trophy may actually have 20-30 names engraved on it. The trophy is held by the sponsoring club (in this case, NEATT) until a single individual has won the tournament either 3 consecutive times or 5 separate times. This trophy is then given to the champion as a symbol of honor and excellence in the sport of table tennis. The individual who receives this highly coveted trophy may do with it as they wish. For example, the champion has the freedom to take the traveling trophy back to their own club or business, where it can be displayed prominently

as a badge of honor. Competitors often battle fiercely for many years before an "ultimate champion" arises to claim their just reward.

The tournament was held on 2/18/06 at the Anniston Army Depot Gym and was a double-elimination "non-sanctioned" type tournament with a total of 48 players participating from Georgia, Florida, Germany and Alabama. It was a different type of atmosphere at the tournament on Saturday. You could see the personalities of David Landry and Adam Brown as they approached the finals. They seemed to be more relaxed at this tournament than at previous tournaments held at the Anniston Army Depot. At last years Alabama State Championship you could cut the air with a knife. It seemed as if there was so much pressure on young Landry as he was trying to capture the youngest player ever to win the title of the Alabama State Champion. He was trying to take this title from Adam Brown, a feat which he had attempted in 2004 also. It seemed as if David Landry was ready for the match when they met in the finals. Landry led 2 games to 0 early in the match. In the third game there was a shift in momentum as Brown started to take control of the match. He won the third game and also the fourth. In the fifth and final game at 5-5, Brown turned up the heat and showed once again why he is the reigning Alabama State Champion. It was an exciting final event with Brown prevailing and being named the "Winner" of the "1st Annual NEATT Traveling Trophy Tournament." Brown had already played and beat Landry earlier in the day, but since this was a double-elimination type format, it was highly likely that they would meet again in the final. There were several players that fought very hard trying to take Landry out of the equation for the finals. These players included: Mike Harris 1840, Chuck Outlaw 1980, Werner Schaefer (German Rating), and Jason Denton 1968. But, in his consistent, patient, and polished style, young Landry out-played them all on his way to the final. This tournament seemed to be good timing for most tournament players with the Alabama State Closed coming up in late March. Sometimes as players we get caught up in what our rating is and how much that plays a part in a tournament, and we forget how much fun it is to just play this sport we all love. I am truly happy for those players who took the time to be a part of this tournament, and I hope they will return next year as we continually strive to improve the tournament and provide an environment that promotes the sport of table tennis in the state. It is our sincere desire that this event turns into an annual tournament that can't be missed! We would like to extend a special word of thanks to the "Anniston Army Depot" and "Homer Brown at Bumper Nets in the Birmingham Galleria Mall" for their continued support of our club and the sport of table tennis state-wide. We would love for you to stop by and see what our club has to offer.

Mike Harris

Tim Stremmel

Army depot a blast for table tennis players
Sunday, April 17, 2005
KELLI HEWETT TAYLORNews staff writer
BYNUM - On Tuesdays and Saturdays, people from as far away as Birmingham and Atlanta make the drive to Calhoun County and pull up at the guard's gate at the Anniston Army Depot.

Visitors explain their intent to the security officers. Sometimes they climb out of their car for a search of the trunk, engine and glove compartment for drugs, alcohol, firearms or other weapons. After all, this is the same depot where about 600,000 aging chemical weapons are being burned and where Army combat vehicles are maintained for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The security ritual is all in the name of a new pingpong club. Not the basement, retirement home kind of pingpong, but championship, hard-core, $150-a-paddle, five-hour-practice, Forrest Gump kind of table tennis that became an Olympic sport in 1988.

The players proceed into the depot fitness center a few hundred yards from the guard post. Inside, they rendezvous with sportmen (no women in this particular club) of all skill levels who share the passion. The members include depot retirees and current workers now on mandatory overtime who still practice up to 10 hours a week after work. Some drive all over the Southeast to compete in tournaments. Others play for the fun, camaraderie and exercise.

"Some people, they drink or smoke - this is my smoking and drinking; it takes me away from reality," said coal miner Tommie Dailey, a multi-tournament expert level champion who drives to the depot several times a week from Roebuck.

In the last three years, the depot has become a pingpong destination, a little piece of table tennis heaven.
Profits from the depot restaurant have helped buy professional caliber tables that offer perfect bounce. Other amenities include dark blue walls to precisely contrast with the white and orange balls, and green thigh-high barriers that cordon off the players for uninterrupted concentration. There is a table tennis robot to help sharpen skills on particular shots.

Tim Stremmel is a pingpong-playing podiatrist from Anniston who practices more than the equivalent of a work day each week for his matches. He even has a robot at home, which is off limits to his kids. It works a lot like the practice machines in batting cages that shoot out the balls automatically.

"This is serious stuff," Stremmel said with a grin.
Table tennis is so popular that depot employees have helped form the new North East Alabama Table Tennis club, which meets at the depot fitness center. The new club was sanctioned earlier this month by the USA Table Tennis organization, which also ranks players in different skill level categories.

"There is only one sport more people in the world play: soccer," said Mike Garris, a club member and depot public works employee who helped attract the state tournaments. "The U.S. is just catching up."

The depot-based team includes nearly two dozen members, and new players of all levels are welcomed in. The depot and the team are hosting the 2005 state table tennis championships on Saturday for the second year in a row, with several club members competing. Admission is free for the event, set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"There's no one in the state that has been more generous to table tennis than the depot," said Barry Putman, a Gadsden postal employee and expert level tournament player who lives in Attalla, some 45 miles from Bynum.

Around this military support facility, cheaper pingpong tables are a common site not only in the fitness center, but in the electrical, machine and carpenter shops. People play during breaks and other down times.

"To keep it going when that ball comes flying at you - that is exciting," said Joe Gormly, a table tennis team member who works at the depot fitness center. "Sometimes you amaze yourself. It just gets in your blood."

The depot bigwigs are all for it.
"The depot's Morale, Welfare and Recreation personnel continually look for new and innovative ways to enhance morale, particularly now since a large percentage of the work force is working long hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism," said Joan Gufstason, public affairs officer.

Team members say that the sport is extremely physical when played at its best. That is often with ball speeds in excess of 70 miles an hour.

"During the heat of a match, the best feeling in the world is when you control the point and win," said Mike Harris, a depot maintenance parts specialist, the table tennis club's organizer and winner of several intermediate level competitions. "This feeling is what keeps me playing the game; table tennis is all about control."

E-mail: ktaylor@bhamnews.com
For more on the Alabama State Table Tennis Tournament Saturday, call the Anniston Army Depot Fitness Center at 256-235-6385, visit www.neatt.zoomshare.com or e-mail northeast Alabama club organizer Michael S. Harris at mike.harris6@us.army.mil.

The sport of table tennis
BY MICHAEL S. HARRIS
Northeast Alabama Table Tennis Club
Table Tennis is a sport for all ages. It is also a sport that can be enjoyed at any skill level.
The Northeast Alabama Table Tennis club was sanctioned by the USATT, which is the national organizing body for table tennis in the United States, in April 2005.

The club's objective is to encourage and promote the sport
of table tennis in Calhoun County and throughout the State of Alabama.
The most recent Tournament was held in July of this year and was the first for some of the members.
With 26 club members that participated in the tournament; several were from the Birmingham area and one player from Atlanta.

Also, the 2005 Alabama State Championship was held at Anniston Army Depot in April.
This is the second year in a row the State Tournament was held at the depot and we hope to host the tournament in 2006.

With 59 players we set a state record surpassing the old record of 55 players in 2003.
There are currently 40 active members in the club and several visitors.
The Northeast Alabama Table Tennis Club would like to invite anyone that plays or who is interested in learning how to play to come out and see what we have to offer.

Located at the Physical Fitness Center (Bynum Gym 256-235-6385) at Anniston Army Depot, 7 Frankford Avenue, Anniston AL 36201, current play times are Tuesday nights 4 p.m. until 9 p.m and every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

If you are ready for a good workout, then try the table tennis robot. This is a great way to sharpen and perfect your skills. The Northeast Alabama Table Tennis Club would like to thank the Anniston Army Depot for all their support.

"You say ping pong, I say table tennis"
By Jason Stancil
Northeast Alabama Table Tennis Club
People always ask me, "What is the difference between ping pong and table tennis?"
Well, here is your answer. Ping-pong is just a recreational sport, usually played in your grandmother's basement, and does not include a lot of rules. Most rules are usually just made up. As for table tennis, it requires a lot more skill, concentration and technique.

Even though most Americans think of table tennis as merely a basement sport, it is No. 2, behind soccer, as far as all organized sports in the world.

What's even more impressive is that table tennis is the youngest sport among all major sports in the world. The sport itself has made tremendous progress in almost all parts of the world. Among the more developed nations, America was the last to discover table tennis as a major sport.

Table tennis is now recognized and played in the Olympics, with its debut appearance in the 1988 Seoul Olympic games.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
Common Errors Include:

If you notice that you are using any of the common errors above, you should change the way you hold your racket immediately. Getting used to the new way may seem strange at first, but be patient; it will be the best thing for you and your game in the long run.

How table tennis has changed
By Thomas Alexy
The Northeast Alabama Table Tennis Club
While many of the various sports organizations over the past several years have discussed implementing changes to their sport in order to make it more appealing for the fans to watch, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has actually approved and implemented several major changes to the game of table tennis.

Until several years ago, table tennis rules required that games were played to 21 points and players alternated serves every five points. If the game went to 20 points each, the players alternated serves every point thereafter until someone won by two points.

Also, a match was usually the best two out of three games and a table tennis ball was 38mm in diameter and was always white in color.

These changes to the game of table tennis were made in order to slow the speed of the ball so that there would be longer rallies, to make the table tennis ball more visible, to make each point of a game more important and to have more matches that are close in scoring thereby creating more excitement for the fans and become more appealing to a television audience.

The Northeast Alabama Table Tennis Club meets Tuesday 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Physical Fitness Center located at the Anniston Army Depot, 7 Frankford Ave, Anniston.

Table Tennis Tips: Exercise ... who me?
By Dr. Timothy W. Stremmel and Mr. Joe Brandt
Aerobic exercise ... in the middle of winter ... ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
Now that wintertime is here, most outdoor sports or activities can be uncomfortably cold. Cold weather makes it easy to just stop exercising. But, keep in mind that regular exercise is vital for the body, for the mind, and for your general well being.

Since exercise is so important, especially during the winter months, you may want to consider an indoor sport. How about coming out to play table tennis with us at the North East Alabama Table Tennis Club (NEATT) on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Anniston Army Depot Gym? We are going strong all year long!

Table Tennis is a wonderful indoor sport and a good aerobic exercise that works on all of the major muscle groups of your body. It is a continuous series of movements of your upper and lower body.

Whether in a practice session or during a match, your body is challenged to move in all different directions at all times.

While playing, the heart rate remains elevated, and your body is supplied with increased blood flow and oxygen at the same time (a cardiovascular benefit).

Table tennis also maintains a good healthy range of motion of all of the joints in the body. This is certainly important for life's daily activities.

While keeping in mind all of the above, don't forget the mental workout. Your mind is constantly challenged to focus on the ball coming at you. Think of the amount of concentration required to move your body in response to your opponent's attack, while still planning your own return shot. Smart playing style, mental focus, and strategy can all lead to points in a match.

By playing table tennis you get all of these benefits. This remains true whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran of the game.

Tip of the Week
Prepare yourself before playing with a light cardio workout. Start out by walking around and moving your arms, legs, neck and back. Light jogging will help to warm up and soften the major muscle groups. Stretch the major muscles in your arms, legs, neck, and back for about 5-10 minutes to loosen up. This will help you play better and also can prevent serious injury.

Focus your mind on the game, your strategies, and your goals. Don't let your mind get clouded by dwelling on previous mistakes or other things that might be going on in your life.

Practice your body movements by "drilling" with another player. Continue working on your technique while hitting the ball back and forth. Try hitting a combination of both forehand and backhand shots until you feel loose.

Now, you are finally ready to play some exciting table tennis matches. Last, but certainly not least, HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!!

I always enjoy the two times a week that I get to play table tennis. I get to devote myself to what turned from trying to get some exercise into a true love for the sport of table tennis.

The best part is, this sport can be played from childhood on up into the 70s or even 80s with a lot of fun and success. At Northeast Alabama Table Tennis Club the companionship and the willingness of other players that love this sport to help by teaching you, sharing their experiences - and sometimes even their secret moves - makes this playing time more awesome. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, there's lots of fun, laughter, joking and most of all good table tennis.

Here's a great thought: How about getting yourself, your younger children, or your teens away from the TV or computer and devoting a few hours twice a week for real quality family time. Try learning or sharpening your skills in this sport together. Playing table tennis is a great aerobic exercise and at the same time a good mental workout that you can enjoy for years to come.

Let your body, mind and reflexes get a workout. It will make you feel good about yourself.
Tip of the week
The serve is one of the most important parts of this game. A good serve with the proper spin, speed and placement can set you up for easy points. These points are scored by both setting up your next attack and also by making it difficult for your opponent to attack. Placing your serves close on your opponent's side of the net or on his edge of the table will always give you an advantage. Place your serves in zones 1, 2 and 3 or 7, 8 and 9, and avoid the middle three zones if possible. Practice this whenever you can.

Table Tennis Tips: Don't point that paddle at me unless you plan on using it!
By Dr. Timothy W. Stremmel
Special to Score!
In order to play table tennis, you will first need the proper equipment. But, how do you know what equipment is right for you? Selecting the right equipment can be a daunting task even for a seasoned veteran, let alone a beginner. I will focus my discussion today on the basics of choosing the right paddle/rubber combination (also known as a "bat") for your skill level. The following comments are certainly not exhaustive, but will hopefully help to give you some general direction:

Beginner: We all start as beginners. At this phase of our development within the sport, it is important that we focus on both having fun and developing the proper techniques. Our skills are starting to develop, but they are still very primitive and unrefined. At this phase, it is probably more important to select a "ready-made bat" where the wooden blade and rubber sheets are already glued together. These "ready-made" combination products are readily available and are relatively cheap in comparison to more advanced products. Beginners will not often notice the subtle differences between "bats," but once your game is well under way, the differences will become obvious.

Intermediate: As your skills become more refined and you gain in experience, you will likely start to notice that the basic "ready-made bat" no longer suits you. As a matter of fact, it may actually be slowing down your skill development. You will start to desire more controlled ball placement, speed and spin. This can only be achieved by using specifically designed wooden blades and rubber sheets. You will likely have an urge to start gluing together your own special "bats." By borrowing from your friends and experimenting with different "bats," you will notice that they all have a different "feel" to them. Some of them will work well with your style, and some will not. Have fun experimenting around at this phase while continuing to advance in technique.

Advanced: At this phase of skill development, individuals are really starting to "fine-tune" their games. It can get fairly complicated at this level to choose the right "bat" that suits your game. Most players will find a particular combination of equipment that is well suited to their style of play, and they "stick with it" for many years. Others change their equipment frequently to make up for changes in playing style, age, energy level, agility, reflexes and physical limitations. To give you an idea of how complicated it can get, consider the following comments:

As you can see, there are limitless combinations of products available. The individuals using these products must understand their different characteristics. These same individuals will then have to make appropriate adjustments to their games in order to use these products. Basically, the ultimate test is how well you play with your equipment.