Responding to the occasional “bad apple in the bushel,” the APTA released a statement that describes the expected conduct of competitors in its tournaments and the penalties that may be enforced against violators.
The "Code of Conduct for Platform Tennis Players" below appeared in the Tournament Schedule as “a constant reminder to participants of what is expected of them when they enter sanctioned events.”
Players shall not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct. At no time, but especially during the course of a match, shall a player engage in:
a) verbal or physical abuse of any persons connected with the game or spectators;
b) use of visible or audible profanity;
c) mistreatment of the equipment, the court or its fixtures;
d) behavior that reflects a failure to accept the decisions of officials and/or disregard for the rules and spirit of the game.
Any officia[...]
After three years of supporting the game of platform tennis, including the commitment of tens of thousands of dollars in tournament prize money and raffle drawings, the Lineal Group announced that it would no longer be able to sponsor the Lineal Group Grand Prix Series. Several executive, as well as business, changes had occurred at the company and thus it became necessary to end its successful relationship with competitive paddle tennis.
Ginna Ohlmuller, Executive Director of the APTA, commented on the development: “The Lineal Group provided a real boost to the game of paddle tennis over the last three years and they were a pleasure to work with.”
Ohlmuller made special mention of Arnie Ditri1, head of Ditri Associates, and John Balch, Lineal's senior marketing manager. “Mr. Ditri had a genuine interest in the game of paddle and committed substantial time and effort to help[...]
This was a sudden decision and likely related to the changes taking place at the Dimitri Associates' group of companies that included Hedstrom and the Lineal Group, the sponsors of the Lineal Grand Prix. This decision provided Wilson Sporting Goods with the opportunity to acquire the Vittert brand and production equipment and started promoting Championship and Cold Weather Wilson balls in early 1996.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter, 1996
The announcement by Wilson Sporting Goods Company that it was entering the platform tennis market with a line of paddles and paddle accessories was made at a press conference at the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
In a separate news release, it was indicated that development of the new platform tennis paddles stemmed from the technology used in Wilson's tennis racquets. All four paddles would be constructed of molded graphite. The new models were designated Hammer 9, Hammer 8, Pro Staff 6, and Pro Staff 5. The numbers assigned to each paddle corresponded to a specific “Power Series” rating that fit a certain style of play.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer & Fall 1995
Separately, Wilson had acquired the Vittert V30 ball business from Hedstrom so they now could supply both balls and paddles. This development became an issue for A2Z/Viking Athletics as Wilson no longer would s[...]
Jim Reilly recounted the trials and tribulations of building a court at the American Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Apparently a diplomat league was in the making
With the exception of National Championship Events, where the APTA Board makes the determination as to which ball will be used, Tournament Chairs of APTA Sanctioned Events could choose any APTA-approved ball, though only one brand was to be used throughout the tournament. Any player or players substituting another ball would be disqualified.
In addition, in National Ranking and Regional Ranking tournaments, no points would be awarded to those players who are disqualified.
It was reported that, whenever possible, the choice of ball should be indicated on the tournament entry form.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Winter 1996
Back to TopViking Althetics, a big name, in the game is born
Following the purchase of the platform tennis business of the Marcraft Recreation Corp., the name for the platform tennis products manufactured and marketed by David Kjeldsen’s company A2Z was renamed Viking Athletics in November 1995.
In the mid 1980s he was one of the world's most dedicated couch potatoes. Then one Friday evening his sedentary existence miraculously became a thing of the past.
David Kjeldsen was invited to play mixed doubles on a small, elevated court surrounded by chicken wire. With the paddle he was given in one hand, a can of beer in the other, and a cigar between his lips, Kjeldsen was a poster child for sports enthusiasm. He got hooked on the game and started playing more and more, but it was getting expensive with a sleeve of balls costing $10.
He found out that Hedstrom, out in Ohio, was selling the Vittert balls he was using and arranged to buy case loads directly from them at a discount for distribution to friends and for use in tournaments. Hedstrom was delighted with the increase in business and offered further discounts.
Finally, Kjeldsen began thinking: "Why not set up a di[...]
Back to TopKilmarx won the inagural Men's National Championship in 1935 with Kip Couch
Sumner “Killy” Kilmarx, one of the very first national men’s doubles platform tennis champions, died on March 2, 1996, in Scarsdale, NY. He was 96. With his long-time paddle partner, Clifford Couch, he won the first national men's tournament held at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in 1935.
The 1935 final was one of the longer matches in National Men's play, a 4-6 , 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7 victory over later champion James Hynson and Charles O'Hearn, who defeated them in the 1937 National finals. But Kilmarx and Couch were victorious again in their return finals in 1939. Kilmarx was recognized by the unusual steadiness of his play and the debonair style of his attire on the court.
He was an honorary member of Fox Meadow for many years, having contributed to the development and the popularity of the early game.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1996
The APTA had been wrestling with a conflict between manufactures.
The Mid-Winter issue of Platform Tennis News in 1996 carried a note to readers on the situation.
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