The article "Paddle Game a welcome Member of Tennis Family" by Howard Cohn appeared in the January 1950 edition of American Lawn Tennis. Cohn wrote that "tennis with a paddle not only teaches youngsters the fundamentals of lawn tennis, but it also provides wonderful off-seasom recreation for thousands of devotees of the older sport."
The article provided and excellent account of the development of paddle tennis and platform tennis.
Back to Top"Platform Tennis New Sport," Washington Post, March 31, 1950
“A new sport is making inroads in the Washington area, where less-than-perfect weather half the year has always been a bugbear to tennis fans. The importation, platform paddle tennis, is played on a slightly raised wooden platform that drains and dries in a jiffy after rain or snow.
Several of these all-weather courts are already up and in use in the environs. The Herbert (Pete) Scovilles, Jr., of Ten Oaks, at Langley, and the Edward F. Hamms, Jr. of Rocky Run, McLean, are among the sponsors here. The Scovilles recently had their platform trucked down to Virginia from their place at Taconic, Connecticut, where they have used it for many years. The Hamms brought their court three months ago.* These couples invite neighbors to play every weekend. Probably no one should own a court who isn't sociable. Friends learn to play easily and love the game so much that they keep reappearing. T[...]
Interested clubs or players could purchase plans and court specifications directly from the APTA for $30. Previously Cogswell and Blanchard were the source for plans.
Source: Fessenden S. Blanchard, Platform Paddle Tennis, 1959
In the early days, courts often fell into disrepair as the original construction techniques and choice of materials were poor.
Often these courts were torn down, but the court at Riverside Yacht Club in Riverside, CT, was the first to be lost to an “Act of God.”
Despite the fact that courts were being lost, many more were being built and the number of operational courts was expanding rapidly.
The article covered the coming of age of the game when the APTA's 21st birthday was marked by the Men's Nationals at Fox Meadow, and described the hard-fought finals between Hebard and Carlisle, the winners, and Moses and Deland.
Source: The New York Times, March 14, 1955
The article included some excellent pictures of players and galleries taken during the national doubles championships at Fox Meadow in Scarsdale.
Source: World Tennis, April 1956
For a number of years, the APTA had closed their eyes to the common issue of repeated foot faults, figuring that it might lessen the fun if they kept calling them. However, the Association began cracking down on them in championship tournaments, appointing foot-fault judges for final and semifinal matches.
Formal rules were introduced for the Men’s Championships in 1958.
Source: Adapted from Fessenden S. Blanchard, Platform Paddle Tennis, 1959
APTA started prescribing rules for use and specification of balls.
Ball Specification: The APTA furnished sponge rubber balls, approximately 2.5" in diameter.
The Ball Use Rule: In tournaments, only one ball could be used continuously during each set. The server could not substitute another ball during an unfinished set without the permission of the tournament officials, nor could the server hold another ball when serving.
Back to TopCoonskin coats are the “unofficial” uniform. Left to Right: Jim Gordon and Bill Cooper (1959 champions), Jim Carlisle and Dick Hebard (1959 finalists), Waler Close and umpire Jack Whitbeck
There was no standard or official uniform for paddle players, except maybe in overcoats. Coonskin coats seemed to be the mark of the well-dressed player, except when he was actually playing.
A few of the younger players began turning up with coonskin coats, for which they paid $25 to downtown furriers. When Blanchard went to one of the furriers to get a coat for himself, he was greeted with these remarks: "I have been storing these coonskin coats for years but never had a nibble. But now I am almost sold out. Some people out in Westchester have a game that they play outdoors all winter. They've been coming in here and have gobbled up almost all I have”
Source: Fessenden S. Blanchard, Platform Paddle Tennis, 1959
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