Monday, September 29, 2003
Paddle Bibliography:
Dick Squires book "How to play Platform Tennis", written in 1969 and revised in 1992, is the only paddle book still in print. The other eight books shown below were originally published between 1959 and 1977.
Dick Squires book "How to play Platform Tennis", written in 1969 and revised in 1992, is the only paddle book still in print. The other eight books shown below were originally published between 1959 and 1977.
Monday, September 22, 2003
Paddle News Source:
Though there are perhaps ten books about playing platform tennis, a movement to broadcast paddle on the Tennis cable channel, the main source for news about the sport comes five times each year in Platform Tennis Magazine. The league fees in Chicago pay for an APTA membership and a magazine subscription to each player. Here are the covers of the three most recent editions:
Local legend Mary Doten is featured in the May 2003 edition after her upset victory with partner Susie Keane at the Nationals Tournament.
Women's 2003 Nationals
Though there are perhaps ten books about playing platform tennis, a movement to broadcast paddle on the Tennis cable channel, the main source for news about the sport comes five times each year in Platform Tennis Magazine. The league fees in Chicago pay for an APTA membership and a magazine subscription to each player. Here are the covers of the three most recent editions:
Local legend Mary Doten is featured in the May 2003 edition after her upset victory with partner Susie Keane at the Nationals Tournament.
Women's 2003 Nationals
Tournaments in the Midwest:
Entering a tournament is a fantastic way to build experience with paddle. Here are nine chances to enter a tournament this season!
Most paddle tournaments include a consolation backdraw and a "last chance" which gives even the less successful team three chances to enjoy the sport. The structure varies by tournament, but there are often a set of brackets for older players (e.g. combined age greater than 115).
The Chicago Platform Tennis League holds five major tournaments each season. These are played at various north shore clubs and make a great way to spend a weekend.
1. The Chicago Charities, October 31 - November 2, is the most significant.
2003 Chicago Charities Entry Form.doc
2. The Illinois Men's Intermediate is held November 15-16 and is one of the tournaments geared to "ordinary mortals".
3. The Men's Series 5-7, Series 8-10, and Series 11-12 Tournaments will be held January 10-11.
4. The Illinois State Men's & Women's will be held March 13-14.
Believe it or not, there are also other midwestern tournaments:
5. The Milwaukee Championship will be held October 17-19. It's an easy drive and about 2 hours each way.
Here's the entry form:
Milwaukee 2003 Paddle Entry Form.doc
6. The Springfield, IL Open will be held December 6-7.
7. The Cincinnatti Open touranment will be January 16-18.
8. The St Louis Open is scheduled for February 6-8.
9. The Indianapolis Open will be held February 20-22.
There is no excuse to be a couch potato this winter!n The APTA web site has a list of hundreds of other tournaments around the country: http://www.platformtennis.org/schedule/
Entering a tournament is a fantastic way to build experience with paddle. Here are nine chances to enter a tournament this season!
Most paddle tournaments include a consolation backdraw and a "last chance" which gives even the less successful team three chances to enjoy the sport. The structure varies by tournament, but there are often a set of brackets for older players (e.g. combined age greater than 115).
The Chicago Platform Tennis League holds five major tournaments each season. These are played at various north shore clubs and make a great way to spend a weekend.
1. The Chicago Charities, October 31 - November 2, is the most significant.
2003 Chicago Charities Entry Form.doc
2. The Illinois Men's Intermediate is held November 15-16 and is one of the tournaments geared to "ordinary mortals".
3. The Men's Series 5-7, Series 8-10, and Series 11-12 Tournaments will be held January 10-11.
4. The Illinois State Men's & Women's will be held March 13-14.
Believe it or not, there are also other midwestern tournaments:
5. The Milwaukee Championship will be held October 17-19. It's an easy drive and about 2 hours each way.
Here's the entry form:
Milwaukee 2003 Paddle Entry Form.doc
6. The Springfield, IL Open will be held December 6-7.
7. The Cincinnatti Open touranment will be January 16-18.
8. The St Louis Open is scheduled for February 6-8.
9. The Indianapolis Open will be held February 20-22.
There is no excuse to be a couch potato this winter!n The APTA web site has a list of hundreds of other tournaments around the country: http://www.platformtennis.org/schedule/
Saturday, September 20, 2003
Driving Directions to Hinsdale's Burns Field
Exit I-294 at Ogden Avenue.
Go west to second stop light and then south on York Road for a few blocks. York becomes Garfield at stop sign; proceed left at that stop sign.
Take the second right to go westbound on North Street.
Turn left after four blocks on to Vine Street. The paddle courts on your right, just south of the tennis courts.
Exit I-294 at Ogden Avenue.
Go west to second stop light and then south on York Road for a few blocks. York becomes Garfield at stop sign; proceed left at that stop sign.
Take the second right to go westbound on North Street.
Turn left after four blocks on to Vine Street. The paddle courts on your right, just south of the tennis courts.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Getting Started with Paddle
You'll need a little bit of equipment. Racquets run $100-120. Here are two that you'll see around town from the two major manufacturers -- Viking and Wilson.
A registration fee is due to the Hinsdale Parks Department each season. Fees are $25 to $40/year for residents and $100 to $150/year for non-residents. The registration form (1.5 megabytes) and the fee schedule are:
Hinsdale Parks Registration Form (Image)
Hinsdale Parks Registration Form (Acrobat)
Hinsdale Paddle Fees
You can reserve a court for the following week by calling the Parks Department at 789-7090 on weekdays. For details, see this document:
Hinsdale Paddle Reservations
You'll need a little bit of equipment. Racquets run $100-120. Here are two that you'll see around town from the two major manufacturers -- Viking and Wilson.
A registration fee is due to the Hinsdale Parks Department each season. Fees are $25 to $40/year for residents and $100 to $150/year for non-residents. The registration form (1.5 megabytes) and the fee schedule are:
Hinsdale Parks Registration Form (Image)
Hinsdale Parks Registration Form (Acrobat)
Hinsdale Paddle Fees
You can reserve a court for the following week by calling the Parks Department at 789-7090 on weekdays. For details, see this document:
Hinsdale Paddle Reservations
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Adding Courts in Hinsdale
The Doings recaps a meeting where Hinsdale paddle players ask to help the Village add two courts.
Written notes were provided to the Parks & Recreation Commission for this meeting.
Platform Tennis in Hinsdale
A few months earlier, The Doings had reported that Hinsdale is considering additional courts.
Comments and contributions to this web site are welcomed.
Please e-mail paulwiggin@yahoo.com.
The Doings recaps a meeting where Hinsdale paddle players ask to help the Village add two courts.
Written notes were provided to the Parks & Recreation Commission for this meeting.
Platform Tennis in Hinsdale
A few months earlier, The Doings had reported that Hinsdale is considering additional courts.
Comments and contributions to this web site are welcomed.
Please e-mail paulwiggin@yahoo.com.
