-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Open Play???
From: "__________" <______@msn.com>
Date: Sun, September 07, 2008 11:57 am
To: <President@tucsontabletennis.com>
Cc: <________@msn.com>

Open play – myth or reality?

It’s great that you take the effort to make table tennis available in the community and while “Open Play” is listed at Armory Park various times, in reality it’s really only “open” to the more advanced players. A beginning player cannot challenge these more advanced players, so his or her time, actually playing table tennis, is very limited. Furthermore, it’s not a challenge for the advanced players if they have to dumb down their game, nor is it any fun for the beginning players to be beaten time after time. I would hope that there would be a table available, for example, like today when there were multiple tables yet all were occupied by highly skilled players. It’s frustrating for a player of my skill level since I really don’t get a chance to rally, and the more advanced player doesn’t have the chance to rally either. This seems to be a lose-lose situation for both parties. I understand that the players are serious and they are working on developing their game to an even higher level. But as a beginner I don’t believe I have the chance to advance my skills if I don’t have the opportunity to play at a level that will help develop my skills. Today there were a few players at my skill level, but couldn’t figure out how we would get playing time in since we couldn’t challenge the players of the higher skills. Again I appreciate your efforts to bring table tennis to Tucson, and I have enjoyed playing at Udall with the seniors who seem to have a less aggressive attitude towards newcomers.

I can understand when Armory Park only has 4 tables available that the competition for the tables is high. I also have noticed that when there are a lot of players, people play doubles to maximize available play time. It seems to me when there are 6-8 tables available, like today, that one table could have been designated for players that aren’t as highly skilled as most of the “regular” open players. I must admit no one has, in any way, made fun of or belittled beginning players. However, it’s obvious just by watching, a beginner would be way over his or her head trying to successfully challenge the regular open players.

There are some very highly skilled players at Udall, but even they are hesitant to play at Armory Park because they believe they are not as welcome as some of the regulars.

The bottom line is, I just want to play at a skill level that’s enjoyable to both parties.

Thanks for your time.

D______

Tucson

520.___________

P.S. Player's contacts are hidden per his request