USATT LEAGUE of the Month - Mary/June 2004
By Bill Hillier
 Founded
in 1933, the LBTTC has had its ups and downs but in recent
years it has developed into a good, steady Club.
When an Executive Committee was formed several years
ago, the Club became more dynamic and grew in popularity.
Non-sanctioned tournaments and a monthly handicap tournament
provided most of the action along with the free play.
Members of the Executive Committee recognized, however, a
growing demand for an ongoing program where members could
meet and compete regularly.
 Mr.
Bob Chew, Tournament Director, heard about the USATT League
Program last October and told President Winston Ngai about
this; both loved the program and knew that it would work
very well for the Club. The free league membership, the
ratings software, and the suggested match format offered
convenience and flexibility with the promise of much fun.
Without a second thought the “Long Beach Table Tennis Club
League” was immediately registered.
A five member League Committee was formed with Bob
Chew as the League Director and we were ready to go.
The first league
entitled “Winter League 2003” kicked off on November 15,
2003. It met
every Saturday thereafter and ended December 27. As many as
12 tables were used an average of 80 matches were played
each session. To make the League more interesting, the top 4
finishers in each of the six rating groups qualified for the
final playoffs with the top two in each rating group
receiving trophies. An awards ceremony and a free party
followed the finals. Members were very excited over League
play.
The
Winter League was a great success as indicated by the
comments of participants and their eagerness to sign up for
a second league. The Spring League started January 31, 2004
with 64 members at the beginning. Since then the number of
participants has grown to 81, of which 30 are not USATT
members but soon will be.
The Club has received numerous phone calls and
e-mails from individuals wanting to become members and play
in the League. It is amazing to see so many players with different ethnic
backgrounds, ages (9 to 75), and abilities competing. An
11-year-old champion can be seen challenging against a
former, much older champion from a different country or a
wheelchair player holding up his end of the table, happy
over his rating improvement.
Two young members recently qualified for the National
Cadet Boys Team. One player travels over 70 miles from Oxnard just to
participate in the League.
The Long Beach
Table Tennis Club League has a bright future and the League
Committee will continue to bring forth new elements to keep
the League interesting and appealing to new and potential
members. It is
the Club’s policy to offer free membership to junior
players, ages 9 to 17, because these players represent the
future of the sport. The
club plays four days a week at Jefferson Middle School in
Long Beach at the intersection of 7th and Grand
Avenue. For more info, see www.longbeachttc.org.
Sponsored by 
and
All League Equipment Available
Tables | Rackets | Sponge | Balls
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