Coke picks up the tab, and why? The sport is growing fast and has more than 200,000 players

In early September, the APTA and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York announced the start of an exciting new relationship. Discussions between Mr. Charles E. F. Millard, President and Chief Executive Officer of CCBCNY, Jack Cantwell of their advertising agency, Jack Cantwell Associates, and the APTA resulted in the agreement that covered a men's tour, the production of educational materials, and a junior development program. Millard was a keen player and loved the game. Source: Paddle Talk, No. 1

The challenges of capturing paddle for TV

Paddle had special challenges for the TV producer. The chicken wire screen made it a challenge to film for one thing, and with continuous play, it was difficult to find time for slow motion replays. To tape the Nationals at Fox Meadow, cameras were placed at two corners of court #1, on top of the screens, and on a scaffolding structure on a hill behind the court. A mobile camera completed the setup. It was also necessary to place a dark green backcloth at the end of the court. The Nationals aired on March 28 in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The first time that Al Steele, Executive Producer at Connecticut Public Television, and his team covered platform tennis was for the Mixed Nationals at Hartford in 1975. “Public television is always looking for new and different sports,” said Steele, “and as I'm an enthusiast myself, it was easy to decide on platform tennis. [...]

Paddle Fashionistas, 70s style

Foot-Fault deliberations

Paul Malloy, Chair of the APTA Umpires Committee reflected on recent deliberations in the August edition of Paddle Talk: A very controversial subject in the game of paddle is the “foot-fault rule.” Everyone understands that a player may not touch the baseline or step into the court before making contact with the ball. Most people also are aware that a player may swing his foot over the baseline during the service as long as the foot doesn't touch the court prior to striking the ball. Gordon Gray, during his championship years with Sam Sammis, used to give foot-fault judges fits because the swinging foot was practically on the deck as he struck the ball. He has since modified his delivery and no longer swings the foot over the line. The most troublesome area of the Foot-fault rule comes under Rule 7 (a), which says ,”The server shall throughout the delivery of the service: No[...]

Coca-Cola sponsors the Tribuno Men’s Tour with a purse of $40,000

International Platform Tennis Association (IPTA)

The APTA authorized the formation of this body in June 1976. Its mandate was to foster the development of platform tennis outside the United States and to coordinate international activities.

Petition for paddle pays off

Burns Park in Massapequa, NY, installed the first public platform tennis courts on Long Island's south shore. The plans for the park included the community courts after Gloria McLoughlin of Harbour Green collected 500 names on a petition to the town board.

Hilary Hilton on ABC’s Superstars

Hilton was one of twelve female athletes, and the first platform tennis player asked to compete on ABC’s Women Superstars. The following year she was asked to provide commentary alongside host Al Michaels.

Ken Ward (1900- 1977): A founding father of the APTA

As President of the APTA from 1939-42, winner of one of the first Honor Awards in 1965, and inventor of the Scrambles tournament, Ken Ward's contributions to platform tennis were many and various. He was a friend of all the pioneers of the game in the early days and maintained his interest throughout the years. John Ware said, "Ken Ward was kind of a special man. He was a great advocator of platform tennis. He had, you might say, an acute case of the game. I remember him as being a presence at close to 40 Annual Meetings. Every year, he would get up and give the Board his personal vote of confidence and thanks. He had a graciousness and dry wit and a wonderful way of expressing himself." Ken Ward had this to say in a letter to Bob Brown, Chairman of the Presidents' Council, after the last Annual Meeting: "I thought the meeting went off very well. Everyone was well prepared. I [...]

The Western Pennsylvania PTA (WPPTA) grows

The organization grew from the original five clubs in 1967 to seventeen clubs by 1976, and now included the Sewickely YMCA and the Mt. Lebanon Community Courts. The first five years saw a formation of a men's League, followed by women's A, B and C Leagues. In 1976, there were plans for an informal junior League.