AUBURN - There is a satisfying, almost hypnotic click to the bounce of a table-tennis ball.
Ken Bowen handles a shot from his brother Dave Bowen during a match on Tuesday night. The Auburn Table Tennis Club meets Tuesday nights at the Salvation Army gym. Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Those pops echo rapidly through the Salvation Army gymnasium on Genesse Street every Tuesday night when the Auburn Table Tennis Club meets.
"The gymnasium floor is nice," said club member Hank Zimmer. "Last year we were playing on rubber mats. The floor here is easier to move around on."
The club is just beginning its second season and so far things are going well according to Zimmer.
"It's good exercise and a good experience," Zimmer said. "Players of all ages can play and be competitive."
Zimmer has been a serious competitive player for six years.
When he retired, he joined a league in Syracuse, where he still plays regularly and is a ranked member of the United States Table Tennis Association with a score in the 900 range based on tournament play.
"It is exciting," Zimmer said. "People you may have never played before are putting their skill against yours and it makes you play better."
When he was asked by Al Hastings, the founder of the Auburn club, to join he was happy to get involved.
"There is more incentive," Zimmer said. "When it is just you it's easy to just sit and watch TV. But when there are other people it is more fun and there is more incentive to get up and play."
The club is steadily growing with 15 players on the call list and on most nights eight or more players coming to play in both singles and doubles competition.
"I enjoy both," Zimmer said. "Some people prefer one or the other. It depends on where you are coming from for what you enjoy."
Table tennis, unlike other sports, is a game where someone from any age can be on an even level with a fair chance of winning as it is a game that doesn't require size and strength the way baseball or football does. But it relies on coordination and quick reflexes.
Zimmer said this is one thing that makes both the game and the club unique.
"You don't have to be an expert to play here," Zimmer said. " You don't have to be the best, we are happy to help people."
In this past Summer Olympics, table tennis received increased coverage. And Zimmer was lucky enough to meet American team member Mark Hazinski when he competed at a Syracuse tournament.
"He showed up and he came to play," Zimmer said. "It was pretty cool."
Zimmer said he hopes that the increased attention will create more local interest and boost the club's membership.
"I hope that more people have gotten interested," Zimmer said. "It would be great to have more members. I would love to get more people involved."
Looking towards the future, the club would like to hold its own tournament this season.
"It would really be great if we could do that here in Auburn," Zimmer said. "We are going to try to have one this year."
The club is always happy to have new members and anyone interested is encouraged to contact Zimmer at 834-9433.
"The gymnasium floor is nice," said club member Hank Zimmer. "Last year we were playing on rubber mats. The floor here is easier to move around on."
The club is just beginning its second season and so far things are going well according to Zimmer.
"It's good exercise and a good experience," Zimmer said. "Players of all ages can play and be competitive."
Zimmer has been a serious competitive player for six years.
When he retired, he joined a league in Syracuse, where he still plays regularly and is a ranked member of the United States Table Tennis Association with a score in the 900 range based on tournament play.
"It is exciting," Zimmer said. "People you may have never played before are putting their skill against yours and it makes you play better."
When he was asked by Al Hastings, the founder of the Auburn club, to join he was happy to get involved.
"There is more incentive," Zimmer said. "When it is just you it's easy to just sit and watch TV. But when there are other people it is more fun and there is more incentive to get up and play."
The club is steadily growing with 15 players on the call list and on most nights eight or more players coming to play in both singles and doubles competition.
"I enjoy both," Zimmer said. "Some people prefer one or the other. It depends on where you are coming from for what you enjoy."
Table tennis, unlike other sports, is a game where someone from any age can be on an even level with a fair chance of winning as it is a game that doesn't require size and strength the way baseball or football does. But it relies on coordination and quick reflexes.
Zimmer said this is one thing that makes both the game and the club unique.
"You don't have to be an expert to play here," Zimmer said. " You don't have to be the best, we are happy to help people."
In this past Summer Olympics, table tennis received increased coverage. And Zimmer was lucky enough to meet American team member Mark Hazinski when he competed at a Syracuse tournament.
"He showed up and he came to play," Zimmer said. "It was pretty cool."
Zimmer said he hopes that the increased attention will create more local interest and boost the club's membership.
"I hope that more people have gotten interested," Zimmer said. "It would be great to have more members. I would love to get more people involved."
Looking towards the future, the club would like to hold its own tournament this season.
"It would really be great if we could do that here in Auburn," Zimmer said. "We are going to try to have one this year."
The club is always happy to have new members and anyone interested is encouraged to contact Zimmer at 834-9433.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.