Hard Bat Table Tennis

[Dave Robson]

Chris Pickard has asked me to post a new thread on the "Hard Bat" interest which has gathered momentum:

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This is an open letter to anyone interested in Hard Bat Table Tennis.

To whom it may concern,

Due to the success of the Hard Bat events at the BATTS Club in Harlow, excellently organised by Fred Dove, and other events being held elsewhere, it has become apparent that there is considerable interest in playing Table Tennis with the traditional Hard Bat – a plain wooden blade, covered by short pimpled rubber without any sponge.

At a meeting at BATTS on Wednesday, 26th August, 2009 it was agreed to organise an Association for Hard Bat players of all ages, sexes and playing standards, with the object of promoting Hard Bat competition and friendship amongst interested players throughout England.

The Organisation will be called “Hardbat English Association of Table Tennis” and will be known by the acronym: H.E.A.T.

To turn on the HEAT, and to get organised as quickly as possible the initial committee members will be:
Glenn Johnson (Chairman); Chris Pickard (Secretary); Fred Dove (IT Consultant, Tournaments Organiser, Jack of all Trades!); Neil Brierley and Derek Balding.

As soon as there are sufficient members, a General Meeting will be called to formally elect the officers of the Association and to decide the constitution and rules, equipment etc., etc.

The BATTS Club in Harlow have kindly offered the use of there club facilities as the base of HEAT.

The initial objectives of HEAT are:

To be in good standing with the ETTA;

The promotion and organisation of tournaments throughout the country;

The promotion and organisation of a National Championships each year, including as many age groups and standards as is practical;

The promotion and organisation of a National Team Championships;

The promotion and organisation of an International event (HEAT English Open?), with as many age groups and standards as is practical;

The promotion and encouragement to form Hard Bat clubs, or Hard Bat sections within existing clubs;

To keep and publish Rating/Ranking list(s);

The promotion and organisation of social events.

If you are in agreement and support the idea of HEAT and would like to become a member, would you please email me at crispione@googlemail.com or by ‘phoning 01480 455680, or by writing to HEAT c/o BATTS TT Club, Norman Booth Centre, Elderfield, Mulberry Green, Old Harlow, Harlow, CM17 0EY


Yours sincerely

Chris Pickard

On behalf of the committee of HEAT

[Annie]

Go Chris! Go Chris!

This can only be a positive move toward Table Tennis (no matter what variation) becoming ever more popular. I wish Chris and the rest of the committee the very best of luck!

I can feel the H.E.A.T. already!

[Tinykin]

My gripe is that this association is very limiting to one particular piece of equipment. It does not capture the classic period which I was hoping forout . My suggestion is to include wooden, sand, cork and vellum bats. All these versions were used at local league level in the 1930-1950. It should be no threat to the pimples out ox guys as they were not as good as the pimples out stuff in spin variation and angle playing.
A Jacques catalogue from the period should show what was being sold.
BTW, Good luck.
Where's the membership form?

[Francis]

Very good idea, I'm sure the development of hardbat must go through the creation of hardbat associations. We created Hardbat France last year, and since that, hardbat is growing more and more in France. Even if we didn't act alone (of course, we need clubs to organise hardbat events), it's essential that hardbat has a national association to represent it in its country.
I don't have much time to discuss of that now, because I'm going to leave home for my trip to Harlow, but I'll be pleased to speak about that during the tournament.

[Crispione]

My gripe is that this association is very limiting to one particular piece of equipment. It does not capture the classic period which I was hoping forout . My suggestion is to include wooden, sand, cork and vellum bats. All these versions were used at local league level in the 1930-1950. It should be no threat to the pimples out ox guys as they were not as good as the pimples out stuff in spin variation and angle playing.
A Jacques catalogue from the period should show what was being sold.
BTW, Good luck.
Where's the membership form?

Tinykin, the HEAT has only been formed for two days! We have to walk before we can run.
We are not being restrictive in anyway - but you have to start somewhere.
I suggest you send me an email to register your interest and become a member, then you can suggest all these themes and ideas as future possiilities.
The HEAT will be a truly democratic organisation with ALL members having a voice and a say on how thngs develop.

We don't have a membership form (or any forms) yet. When there are enough people interested we will hold a meeting to thrash out Membership details, cost etc,. etc.. Until then I'm holding a database of interested individuals who will hopefully become the first batch of members.

Chris

[Crispione]

Go Chris! Go Chris!

This can only be a positive move toward Table Tennis (no matter what variation) becoming ever more popular. I wish Chris and the rest of the committee the very best of luck!

I can feel the H.E.A.T. already!

Thank you Annie and to TTT for allowing us to have our own Hard Bat section on here.

I see you have quickly grasped the idea of calling the organisation HEAT - we hope it will be a memorable name amd help us to come up with some catchy & appealing advertising etc.,

The concept of Hard Bat may be traditional, but the people behind it's inception are anything but traditional & stuffy!!!

[Annie]

The concept of Hard Bat may be traditional, but the people behind it's inception are anything but traditional & stuffy!!!

So we can expect to see you spruced up with a funky new hairdo from now on then? Cueewl Dude!

[Scottgordon]

Just a quick note to say that we here in the states are happy to hear about this, and we support you 110% !!!!

[Crispione]

Thank you very much Scott.

And just so that people on TTT will know - Scott is a major figure as both player and administrator in US HardBat circles.
He has been very helpful to me recently with his advice etc., particularly on the subject of HardBat Ratings.

Glad to know you are on the site, Scott.

Chris

[Crispione]

So we can expect to see you spruced up with a funky new hairdo from now on then? Cueewl Dude!

Spruced up? funky? Cueewl? Dude? What language is this, Annie? Hungarian perhaps?

Nope, it can't be as the language translator didn't recognise them. Translation, please!

New hairdo is a possibility - I have some hair, unlike many of my contemporaries. I've been cutting it myself for many years (yes, you wags, I know it shows but I don't care!). No hairbear colours for me though!!

[Crispione]

I'd like to have everyone's opinion on the name of our new organisation - H.E.A.T, please.

Annie, has made the suggestion that the new name could be H.E.A.T.T., as the double "T" would be better associated with Table Tennis.

It would still be catchy enough to make the organisation memorable and usable in publicity etc.

So, what do you all think? HEAT or HEATT?

[Nick]

I'd like to have everyone's opinion on the name of our new organisation - H.E.A.T, please.

Annie, has made the suggestion that the new name could be H.E.A.T.T., as the double "T" would be better associated with Table Tennis.

It would still be catchy enough to make the organisation memorable and usable in publicity etc.

So, what do you all think? HEAT or HEATT?

Hi Chris,
Thinking long-term, 'HEATT' is a much better name with genuine branding potential. The URL www.heatt.org can still be registered (if you're quick), the term 'HEATT' is far more likely to be found by search engines if you're looking to attract traffic to a website in the future, 'HEATT' also provides the opportunity for registration (and protection) as a trade name.
N

[Francis]

I agree with Nick, HEATT is more interesting, especially for search engines.

[Boneman]

Just a quick note to say that we here in the states are happy to hear about this, and we support you 110% !!!!

What he said! Whoever he is........

[ChrisAngus]

def heatt chris plus it would be much easier to find on the old p.c chris

[Barry White]

Hi Chris I have purchase a dozen hard bats like used at the BATTs club, hopefully we can hold our own hardbat tournament in Cheltenham. Most of our gloucestershire players would prefer to play hard bat out of season. Put me, Darren and Dave down to be members of your HEAT or HEATT organisation.

[HarryO]

Welcome Scottgordon the hardbat man himself no less. Nice to see you on the site.

HEATT is the best and most search friendly.

[Crispione]

Hi Chris,
Thinking long-term, 'HEATT' is a much better name with genuine branding potential. The URL www.heatt.org can still be registered (if you're quick), the term 'HEATT' is far more likely to be found by search engines if you're looking to attract traffic to a website in the future, 'HEATT' also provides the opportunity for registration (and protection) as a trade name.
N

Thanks, Nick - perhaps you'd like to come on board & advise us on brand marketing etc.?

Taking your advise (yep, there is a first time for everything!), today I bought the domain name

HEATT.me.uk

I thought this was quite catchy & that we could have a lot of fun with "HEAT me"! An Ian Drury lyric immediately springs to mind?? A possible HadBat anthem, perhaps?

"HEATT me with your wooden bat - HEATT MEEEE!!!!".............................
..................

[Crispione]

Hi Chris I have purchase a dozen hard bats like used at the BATTs club, hopefully we can hold our own hardbat tournament in Cheltenham. Most of our gloucestershire players would prefer to play hard bat out of season. Put me, Darren and Dave down to be members of your HEAT or HEATT organisation.

That's what we want to hear!
One of our aims is to promote tournaments throughout the land, so we would be delighted to help in any way. We'll definately lend you our bats so that you can cope with a decent entry.

Any one else??????

[Crispione]

Seems like everyone, both on this site & elsewhere, prefers HEATT.

So, the people have spoken and democracy is served!!

HEATT, it is from now on.

Take a bow Annie, the Hungarian Wonder Woman!!