USATT LEAGUE of the Month - September/October 2004

Highland Table Tennis Center League

By Keith Jones, President

HTTC President Keith Jones serves to Ed Molenda. Photo by Frank Matlon ©2004.

The Highland Table Tennis Center League is the best place to play competitive table tennis in Northwest Indiana. The league was the first official USATT League in the state of Indiana. The HTTC is located thirty minutes south of Chicago. We started as just an open play center on Monday nights. Then the center added the USATT League one Tuesday a month in the fall of 2003. Currently the league takes place on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. There are usually around twenty to thirty players. Players are split into three to four groups depending on their league rating. The HTTC league participants are males, females, young and old, ranging in rating from 800-1700. There is always someone to play. League play starts at six o’clock. When the players are done with their league matches, they can play open matches until nine o’clock.

I think what the players like is that the league is run with professionalism. The courts have plenty of space and cardboard barriers surround every court. The forms and courts are ready for play when they walk in the door. Posting stats and adding them to the league website quickly is always appreciated. When players are not battling in a league match they can watch table tennis videos that play continually throughout the night. Currently we are showing the Killerspin Extreme Championship during every league and club night.

The next big thing for the league is the start of the League Grand Finals. This will be an invitational tournament held on December 11, 2004. To be eligible each player must participate in at least ten league nights throughout the year. The top twenty rated players will be split into A and B groups. The player’s fee will be $8 with prizes going to first and second. Other annual league awards that will be voted on by players will be: most improved, sportsmanship award, most matches/games won and the iron man award (most matches played).

I would like to see our league compete in USATT League/Team competitions against neighboring leagues. Right now the closest league would be South Bend (very tough to beat). We have only been around since May of 2003, but the future looks good. For more info go to www.highlandparks.org or email Kjones@highland.in.gov.

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All League Equipment Available
Tables | Rackets | Sponge | Balls