Boneman
05-03-2008, 11:29 AM
Greetings to all!
Circa 1980 whilst I was working at Hewlett Packard NJ Division, we had no less than three tables and well over 30 people that were "regular" players... and quite proficient. Amongst that number I was at the top of the ladder on night shift for a number of years.
Alas... coming back on day shift in 82 or so... well... let's just say I kind of "retired" from the game. Never lost the love for it... just never really had the opportunity to play.
All that changed about three months ago when my employer, Mars Snackfood, in an effort to augment "Associate Engagement" procured a very nice Kettler indoor / outdoor table. Blue... (new to me)...
I dug the olde "Weapon" out of mothballs... custom made blade, 12 degree offset MAGNESIUM handle... 2.0mm Yasaka MKV rubber (25 year old rubber at that point!) and thought I would see if I still at the ripe olde age of 48 years... "Have it".
I'm deflicted with arthritic knees... shoulders... spine.... I limp around on tender feet... herniated bulging discs in the neck... etc... Well acquainted with "chronic pain"... hence.. the monker of "Yoda"... that little feller that hobbles around with his cane... yet goes absolutely MAD with a light saber in his hands...
Yeah... I've still got it. The cat-like reflexes... the moves... the technique... it's all there... Did have to re-surface the weapon with new rubber... still in shock over the price increases on that stuff since 1980!
So... we're in the middle of a tournament at work... I'm the only "VETT" playing against a fairly wide field of young folks and I am the odds-on favourite to win...
I just might too... unless the body just quits on me.
Either way... I'm not concerned as basically, I've been enjoying the heck out of the game again... getting some vigorous excersize in the process... and BIGTIME promoting the game with the other "players" at work.
That's the key to getting the game promoted.... We have a few down there that like to "Talk"... i.e., say how they'll beat this one or that one... busting chops... and while to a point that may have a place... I usually just ask them to please, for the time being, belay that stuff and PLAY. As to others... many varying abilities... and it's great to see them improve... get enthused and most importantly... PLAY.
How quick they learn that in order to improve their own game, they need to play others who's abilities surpass their owne... so, yeah.... I'm the target in many a crosshair. That... is FINE with me.
Only trouble I have... is getting these folks to INVEST in their game. Most of them seem quite happy to play with these hardbat (nothing wrong with that) HOUSE paddles... that are pretty well beat to death... Hey... you wanna play hardbat... then get yourself one... that's not frayed at the edges.... with splintered handles... etc.
Out of a gang of about 40 players... I've managed to encourage TWO... to procure their own racquets.
However... at this point, I think I have a few others seriously considering it. Especially since the "House Paddles" are not being replaced... nor do they seem capable of healing themselves.
Gad... I've rambled.... sorry for that... I daresay there's been a lot going on in my little corner of the Table Tennis Realm... and THAT... is GREAT!!!!
Circa 1980 whilst I was working at Hewlett Packard NJ Division, we had no less than three tables and well over 30 people that were "regular" players... and quite proficient. Amongst that number I was at the top of the ladder on night shift for a number of years.
Alas... coming back on day shift in 82 or so... well... let's just say I kind of "retired" from the game. Never lost the love for it... just never really had the opportunity to play.
All that changed about three months ago when my employer, Mars Snackfood, in an effort to augment "Associate Engagement" procured a very nice Kettler indoor / outdoor table. Blue... (new to me)...
I dug the olde "Weapon" out of mothballs... custom made blade, 12 degree offset MAGNESIUM handle... 2.0mm Yasaka MKV rubber (25 year old rubber at that point!) and thought I would see if I still at the ripe olde age of 48 years... "Have it".
I'm deflicted with arthritic knees... shoulders... spine.... I limp around on tender feet... herniated bulging discs in the neck... etc... Well acquainted with "chronic pain"... hence.. the monker of "Yoda"... that little feller that hobbles around with his cane... yet goes absolutely MAD with a light saber in his hands...
Yeah... I've still got it. The cat-like reflexes... the moves... the technique... it's all there... Did have to re-surface the weapon with new rubber... still in shock over the price increases on that stuff since 1980!
So... we're in the middle of a tournament at work... I'm the only "VETT" playing against a fairly wide field of young folks and I am the odds-on favourite to win...
I just might too... unless the body just quits on me.
Either way... I'm not concerned as basically, I've been enjoying the heck out of the game again... getting some vigorous excersize in the process... and BIGTIME promoting the game with the other "players" at work.
That's the key to getting the game promoted.... We have a few down there that like to "Talk"... i.e., say how they'll beat this one or that one... busting chops... and while to a point that may have a place... I usually just ask them to please, for the time being, belay that stuff and PLAY. As to others... many varying abilities... and it's great to see them improve... get enthused and most importantly... PLAY.
How quick they learn that in order to improve their own game, they need to play others who's abilities surpass their owne... so, yeah.... I'm the target in many a crosshair. That... is FINE with me.
Only trouble I have... is getting these folks to INVEST in their game. Most of them seem quite happy to play with these hardbat (nothing wrong with that) HOUSE paddles... that are pretty well beat to death... Hey... you wanna play hardbat... then get yourself one... that's not frayed at the edges.... with splintered handles... etc.
Out of a gang of about 40 players... I've managed to encourage TWO... to procure their own racquets.
However... at this point, I think I have a few others seriously considering it. Especially since the "House Paddles" are not being replaced... nor do they seem capable of healing themselves.
Gad... I've rambled.... sorry for that... I daresay there's been a lot going on in my little corner of the Table Tennis Realm... and THAT... is GREAT!!!!