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BTT members visited yale university & Yale TTC
BTT members visited yale university & Yale TTC
MY VERY FIRST EVENT AS A MEMBER OF BTT
by Olin
At the beginning of October Jerry, a veteran of Behind The Table, texted that he had an engagement and would have to skip our group lesson at Joyous TT Club. He was to visit Yale and then play a friendly doubles tournament at the Peach Blossom Haven Community Center (PBH), together with members of the Yale TT Club. The event was organized by BTT and he asked if I was interested to join. I did not hesitate. I had thought for a while of ways to promote my favorite sport and seeing others interested in the same goal was exciting.
While I was not able to join the Yale tour due to my school work load, my parents drove me to PBH some time after 5pm for a dinner with all the participants, followed by the doubles tournament. We were met at the door by the friendly staff at PBH and we lent them a hand in setting up the tennis tables while waiting for everyone to arrive. Slowly familiar faces began to trickle in. While table tennis is always listed as one of the top 10 most popular sports in the world, it resembles a village in the US, where most participants have crossed paths at some point in time. I saw Ishan from Match Point, whom I had played at the Westchester Open and then came in Emma and her mom Wen, who was busy organizing the dinner for everyone. Some of the members of the Yale TT Club were familiar as well, and then others whom I expected to see, turned out had already graduated. By the time everyone came, close to ten tennis tables were set and the players were busy loading up on calories from the tasty Japanese food BTT had ordered for everyone.
Before the tournament started all twenty two of us took a group photo. You can see me in the back in the green T-shirt, behind Jerry (on the left) and my doubles partner from the Yale TT Club (on the right):
Everyone was paired up, but as I joined the event at the last moment, my name had slipped out of the preliminary matching. Nevertheless, the issue was quickly resolved and I found myself on the same team as one of the Yale players, who was rated over 2000. Before the matches, I received my inaugural BTT T-shirt and we all gathered for some last minute instructions.
The energy was high, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, while still putting effort to reach the finals. Unlike a rated tournament, where participants stress over lost games, missed points, loose nets, edges and illegal serves, this community event was warm, welcoming, full of laughter and cheer. I had played some of my opponents in the past and others I had simply crossed paths with at tournaments, but playing them in this friendly environment built deeper connections.
Time flew by, and after winning three matches, my doubles partner had to leave to prepare for her work week — pursuing a PhD in biomedical research at Yale is no joke! Instead I joined forces with one of my opponents from our third match, whose doubles partner also had to leave, and we headed into the semifinals, where our opposing team gave us trouble but we still prevailed. While the matches were lots of fun, especially on tables 1 and 2 where we enjoyed an audience of onlookers and parents, the highlight for me was playing between matches with Kevin Guo, a current Yale math student, and former member of the Canadian National Team.
Time flies when one is having fun and before we knew it it was close to 8:30pm. PBH was about to close and we needed to wrap up faster than anticipated. The solution was easy: why not have 4 winners, rather than only 2?! The more the merrier:
We got home around 10:30pm. I was exhausted, yet content. At the end of the day, I felt fortunate to have found a community of like-minded people, willing to put time and effort in promoting table tennis. As the first member of BTT from New York, I am happy to help BTT extend its reach beyond New Jersey. And the cherry on the cake was winning the tournament. Jerry rightly pointed out that I did have an advantage, having initially been paired with another 2000+ player. However, that was beyond my control—as a new BTT member, I suppose I just had some 'beginner’s luck'. 🙂
BTT cheered for MLTT at WTTC in dec 13-15 2024
BTT cheered for MLTT at WTTC in dec 13-15 2024
by BTT
From December 13 to 15, a total of nine BTT members had a great time cheering for the Major League Table Tennis (MLTT), hosted at the Westchester Table Tennis Center (WTTC) in Pleasantville, New York, This event brought together elite table tennis players and passionate fans for a showcase of world-class talent and high-stakes action.
It’s our first time watching games live, serving as ball kids, meeting with our favorite players in person and connecting with other fans!
From Sam: On December 14th, I watched the first MLTT game in person. One of the reasons that I came is I wanted to see how the professionals play and how I can improve my game by watching them. I think MLTT is very important to kids like me, because it's like a mountain high out there, and it inspires us to keep climbing and reaching our dreams.
From James: …I believe that Major League Table Tennis will be a catalyst for the improvement of many players, but also a fun introduction into the professional world of ping pong to people who have less experience or have just started.
From Jerry, a recent BTT member:
I was very surprised by the professionalism of MLTT, it’s just like any other professional sports league in the United States. They have professional on site editors and a dedicated camera crew. I am really grateful for the founder of MLTT and I think they are doing amazing work.
The format of the event was also very creative. Because of the accessible nature of Table Tennis, there was a fan zone where fans could play after watching the pros do it! What other sports league can boast a fan zone like that? I saw young kids and old men enjoying themselves in the fan zone. However, I do think that they could do with a high level commentator on site like Adam Bobrow, perhaps, to explain the specific characteristics of each player and give the audience a little more context.
Overall, I thought MLTT was really well done and I am so excited for what it may bring in the future. Maybe table tennis will become a mainstream sport like basketball or baseball, and I can finally get taken seriously by my friends when I tell them I play “ping pong.”
From Emma: I was very excited to be a ball kid and be able to watch the professional players from a close. I really enjoyed watching MLTT because I got to see so many different playing styles. I also enjoyed watching it because I was hooked basically the entire time. Especially at the golden game, I could tell that everybody was really focused and intrigued, and the playing atmosphere became very tense. I overall enjoyed being a ball kid at MLTT.
From Ethan: Unlike many of my fellow members, I was not involved in table tennis before joining BTT. After joining BTT, I became a casual table tennis player. Major League Table Tennis is doing a great service in spreading awareness of table tennis around America by hosting tournaments for people to watch. Additionally, the clips they post on their YouTube channel provide an additional way for people to get introduced to table tennis.
From Wynn: I started playing table tennis a few years ago. What really sets this sport apart is the community. After attending a few tournaments, you start to get to know the other players, too. When I found Major League Table Tennis, my perspective shifted. As my studies picked up, I found I had less and less time for table tennis, but I am still able to stay connected with Major League. I love going to the events, seeing friends, and cheering for my favorite teams.
About events
On Friday, Dec 13, It was Seattle Spinners vs. Florida Crocs then Princeton Revolution vs. Texas Smash. On Saturday, Dec 14, It was Florida Crocs vs. Texas Smash then Princeton Revolution vs. Seattle Spinners. On Sunday, Dec 15, It was Texas Smash vs. Seattle Spinners then Princeton Revolution vs. Florida Crocs.
Meet the Teams
Seattle Spinners
The Seattle Spinners are one of the most dynamic teams in the MLTT, embodying the innovative and spirited culture of the Pacific Northwest. Known for their exceptional mastery of spin and control, the Spinners specialize in outplaying their opponents with technical precision and strategic brilliance.
This team combines seasoned veterans with promising young talents, creating a blend of experience and fresh energy. Their matches are often a showcase of tactical ingenuity, thrilling fans with unpredictable rallies and game-changing plays. The Seattle Spinners are not just competitors—they are entertainers, bringing passion and excitement to every game they play.
Florida Crocs
The Florida Crocs are a fierce and competitive team in the MLTT, representing the vibrant and bold spirit of the Sunshine State. Known for their aggressive playstyle and unrelenting determination, the Crocs thrive under pressure, often turning matches around with their powerful smashes and lightning-fast reflexes.
Their roster features a mix of seasoned players and emerging stars, making them a balanced and unpredictable team. The Crocs are a fan favorite, not just for their thrilling performances but also for their ability to create electrifying moments on the table. True to their name, the Florida Crocs are always ready to strike when it matters most, making them a formidable force in the league.
Princeton Revolution
The Princeton Revolution is a standout team in the MLTT, representing the rich culture of excellence associated with Princeton. Known for their strategic depth and innovation, the Revolution combines the flair of rising stars with the wisdom of seasoned professionals. Their name reflects their mission: to revolutionize table tennis with a mix of creativity, precision, and teamwork.
With a strong base of supporters and a reputation for delivering high-energy performances, the Princeton Revolution is a formidable presence in the league. Whether defending their turf or taking on rivals on the road, this team embodies passion and dedication to the sport, making them a fan favorite to watch.
Texas Smash
The Texas Smash is a powerhouse team in the MLTT, representing the Lone Star State with pride and intensity. Known for their fast-paced and aggressive style of play, the Smash excels in delivering high-energy performances and dominating their opponents with precise smashes and relentless attacks.
Their roster features a dynamic mix of experienced players and rising talents who bring creativity and tactical brilliance to the table. With a fearless approach and a passion for entertaining the crowd, the Texas Smash embodies the bold and competitive spirit of Texas. They are always ready to make an impact, ensuring their matches are as thrilling as they are unpredictable.
About Westchester Table Tennis Center (WTTC)
Since its establishment in 2011, the WTTC has been a premier destination for table tennis in the United States. With its state-of-the-art facility featuring 21 professional-grade tables, the center has hosted countless national and international tournaments. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to developing talent, the WTTC has become a key player in growing the sport’s popularity. It has seen participation from Olympians, world champions, and rising stars, making it a fitting venue for the MLTT.
BTT members volunteered be ball kids and support the events: Emma Yang (4 hr); Rassi Zhou (4 hr); Peter Liu (4 hr); James Yang (3 hrs); Ethan Chan (3 hr); Sam Liu (3 hr); Willian Liu (3 hr); Wynn Zhou (3 hr); Jerry Zeng (3 hr)
BTT members volunteered to to summarize the activities: Peter Liu (2 hr); James Yang (2 hrs); Sam Liu (2 hr);Jerry Zeng (2 hr), Ethan Chan (2 hr), Wynn Zhou (2 hr); Emma Yang (1 hr).
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