One week into a Table Tennis adventure, Andy Hutzel hits the road

Feb. 24, 2013

Hope all is well with everyone and hope to see you all soon. Another day at the office, Andy and his VW Eurovan I've been in northern California for five days and played at the following clubs.

The Sacramento TTC, Wednesday night round-robin.  I was placed on table #2 in the sixth of seven  positions.  Top player on table #2 was just over 2000, he won the table and will move to table #1 next week.  I held my position by winning against the last player on our table.  Friendly players, with various styles.  Scott Gordon a 2000 hard bat player was #2 on our table, we went five games.

The Folsom TTC (north/east of Sacramento) was open play on Thursday night in a sports complex similar to the Anchorage AT&T building, except much more noise.  Several basketball courts were in use, an indoor scocor game was being played, while tweleve tables were in use.  Lighting wasn't the best, however players had various styles.  Great place to train on focusing.

After playing at Folsom Club drove to Fremont, California to stay with my old hard bat friend Bob Palgon.  Bob and I earned 2nd place in the hardbat open doubles at the US Nationals several years ago.  Since arriving in Freemont Bob set a difficult training schedule. 

Friday morning we went to the Indian Community Center (ICC) around 11 am, and watched Tim Wang (US Men's Champion) train.  The ICC has 22 tables and several were being used by young talented players for training.  We played until around 1:30 pm then off to....

the I TTC north of Berkeley.  It's a farily new club with seven tables, rubber floor and a robot.  Played at this club for approximately one hour before heading to the Berkeley TTC.  Round-Robin night with 29 tables being set up.  Once again I'm on table #2 in the sixth position.  Barely won a match over the number 5 player, but lost a close five game match to the number seven player.  Berkely club has wood floors, great lighting, and fairly new tables...worth the five dollars to play.

Saturday morning up around 7 am to play at another new club, Planet Pong, located in San Francisco.  Turns out one of the Planet Pong owners, Dennis, was stationed at Bitburg AFB, Germany (same as me) and played in the German leagues from 1983 to 1988.  I was there from 1972 to 1977.  Dennis and I compared notes and turns out the same German players were on the teams when we were both playing.  Stability when trying to maintain a program.  Planet Pong, so far, is the best club visited.  Everything is only six months old, new tables, rubber flooring, new paint on the walls, relaxing area with food available.  Saturday morning and 30 young players training.Andy and Diann at the International Senior Games in Fairbanks 2008

Around 2 pm, (same day Saturday) we arrived at the San Francisco TTC, where there are six table, wood floors, good lighting and dark background.  Very friendly people, Chineese coach took control of one table.  Played singles and doubles.  In walks a young Chinese girl, a boy friend, and her visiting Uncle from China.  Apparently the Uncle is a national coach in China, sure...!  Turns out when they begin to play the younger players are guessed to be above 2100 and the Uncle (coach) handles their game easily.  Oh well, must be nice to have a national Chinese coach just drop into your club to hit around. 

Today, Sunday morning,  we're off to the Top Spin TTC until around 2 pm then to the Silicon Valley TTC were we're registered for round-robin play.  Bob is slowly wearing me down, since I'm ususally tired after three hours of play.  Hoping to loose 10 pounds before the Two Star tournament next Saturday in Sacramento. 

Playing at the Sacramento, Folsom, and Citrus Heights clubs next week before the Saturday tournament.  I'll be ready for a break, just don't know when that will be?

Andy

Open Play sessions offers matchs for all levels

New and regular players are welcome to join the open drop-in table tennis sessions at the AT & T Sports Pavilion in Anchorage.  The gathering 2 to 3 times a week the sessions offers great action among all skill levels.  Most drop-in sessions last 3-4 hours and sometimes late in the evening past midnight.  Players are encouraged to offer help setting up the 6-8 tables on one of 4 hard courts.   After 10-15 minutes of warm up practice one of the clubs coordinators sets up a series of round robin groups based on the skill level of the attendees.  Anywhere from 2 to 4 groups or pools of players consisting of 4 to 8 players.  Normally matches are best 3 of 5 games yet when time is limited or larger pools then best 2 of 3 games.

The C and D pool is for the beginner and novice players.  Although matched up for games the rallies are often short but players are encouraged to practice the rules, scoring and their basic strokes.  If time permits one member of the top division drops in to check on the action and answer any questions.  New players are instructed how to record the game scores on the round robin result sheet.  Top winner often advances to the next pool the following week.

The intermediate or B pool consist of the more experienced players who offer some challenging and exciting play.  Several athletes are up and coming smashers who have some tricky serves and learning new strategies.  Good play with often close scores.  Again the top intermediate winner will often advance to the A pool the following meeting.  

The A pool consists of the top 4-6 players attending this session.  Matches can take 20-30 minutes at this higher level of play.  Present and past champions among talented visiting athletes from all over the world.  Spectators are welcome to watch the intense play as many can be very vocal after a grueling point.  We have been graced by players from Germany, China, Korea, Japan, Sweden and Mexico.  And others too.  The top local players love the visitors who offer new style, speed and timing not regularly experienced before.  

What ever your skill level or experience come out on the clubs weekly open play drop-in sessions. Arrive early to help set up the tables and be a good sport.  Bring your towel and water bottle and be ready for some fast action.  Come on out, take the challenge for great exercise and mental focus.  SPIN ON! 

Long summer days still attracts the hard core Alaskans indoors

With the limited summer days in Alaska most locals are outdoors enjoying the sunshine.  Karl & Jose can't make up their mind which racket sport?Yet some of us addited to the sport will play indoor even under clear blue skies.  Most Alaskans love fishing, camping, cycling and all sorts of outdoor activites.  My wife loves working on her flowers and gardening.   And last Saturday after 4 hours of table tennis I then visited my folks to load up a van full of tree branches and debres, unloaded them at the local facility then trimmed and mowed the lawn at home.  A good Alaskan style workout. A group of us played in Eagle River at the home of Alaska's first Table Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, Boyd Bennett.  The sun was out and tempatures in the 70's.  What are we thinkng playing inside with the weather looking so great.  But if you have been here for a while you know  often think 

International visitors keep Alaskans in tune

Over the past decade Alaskan's have had great opportunities to experience top level players from all over the world.  Asia, Canada, South America, Europe and the lower 49 states.  At the air cross roads of the world, Anchorage is a great stop over spot for anyplace in the world.   I am sure world champions have landed here on a brief layovers.  Heck if we get the president of the United States and world leaders stop here to refuel in route to Asia and Europe I am sure some world champs have landed here too.   Now we just need to convince them to stay for a day or more to offer a demo or coaching for the local players.

Recently we were visited by Mr. Noh-Woo from South Korea.  Karl, Paul, Mike, Chidi, Jacod and Mr. Noh. Oct. 2011, ATTSPHe is a Korean Airline pilot who comes about 2-3 times a year to Anchorage on the way to other lower 48 state cities like Chicago and New York.   He is a young 37 year old player, married and has a 6 and 2 year old daughters.  He often contacts me with little notice.  A phone call out of the blue saying he just landed and is eager to play.  Staying at the downtown Hilton hotel.  I offer to be his personal limo driver with the help of some of the local players.  Picking him up and returning him safely to his hotel.   With little time in town I will  scramble to call, text or email players to meet at the AT&T Sports Pavilion or Eagle River to take up the challenge.  

As in most table tennis clubs in the world it is always good to see "new blood".  I visit WA, OR, MD, TX, CA and other state playing when on vacation or at a tournament.  Many of the players at these clubs love to challenge the "new kid".  We get that way here too.  We are tired of playing the same old gang of local players.  

He follows in a the footsteps of many visitors.  Most notable is Errol Resek from the Dominican Republic.  Errol Resek (right) with coaching adviseA top US player in the late 60's & 70's he was a member of the world renown "Ping Pong Diplomacy" Team that visited China in 1971.  President Nixon agreed to send a delegation of top US players to main land China on a historical diplomatic journey.  In the early 80's Errol lived in Anchorage and immediately became the top Alaskan player for his short stint in the north land.  He swept the Gold Ulus in the 1982 Arctic Winter Games in Singles, Men's and Mixed Doubles.   Errol had quickness like a cat and light on his feet.  Amazing touch and accurate placement.  He was my most influential coach and he help improve my strokes and gamesmanship.  

Several other players include Sabina Schmidt, Jorg Heger from Germany, Haitham Salman, 2006 Alaska Open ChampionHaitham Salman from Bahrain and Yuriy Solovyov Yuriy Solovyov from Urkrain.  All who lived here for 2 years or more and became Alaska Open Champions while living here.  Haitham is still active and will re-join the "Alaskan Assassins" in Rockford, IL on May 26-27, 2012 with fellow Alaskans Andy Hutzel and Karl Augestad.  They are expected to play in the B division as their team average is about 1915 USATT rating.  Haitham's rating is 2107 as of May 15th and will be the "go to" guy to set the pace for the team.  In 2006 the Alaskan Assassins along with Jorg, Haitham, Andy and Karl took 2nd place in division 6 at the North American Team Championships in Baltimore, MD.     Jorg Hegar (white T-shirt) and Albin Czyz (right)

Alaskan's don't get the opportunity to play or get coaching from top level players often.   

Another Korean Airline pilot, Mr. Ha.  A very good penhold player who was the first to find me on the internet. 

More to come,   Karl

League sessions help progression & improved confidence among new players

After 8 session of the Frost Spin Table Tennis League the players are showing great improvement.  Some players who joined the league are new to the sport and have little experience in tournaments or strong competition.  With the diversity matches over 12 sessions in the last couple of months players have seen new types of play.  Many did not have much experience in doubles but the team and random doubles has given the players more exposure to the doubles routine.  Placement of the return for your partner proved to be evident as partners were out of position when the ball came back toward an empty court.  Players with strong servers proved tough match ups frustrating some.  Even requesting changes in the serve rotation for future doubles sessions.

The late season HardBat allowed lower skilled players in the sponge game their ability to play it much closer against the top skilled players.  Without the sponge the top players could not "super loop" the ball with crazy spin.  Some top players adapted by chopping and pick hitting more.  And the handicap session also evened the table as the short game resulted in a boost of confidence to players who now were playing "ahead" rather than from "behind" in the score.  This little mental twist gave players the comfort to "swing away".

And the team event forced players to play singles then a doubles match back to back.  The doubles was often the deal breaker in the matchup.  Some players have to adapt quickly.   

Mid way through the season a skill evaluation rounds were held to see how players were progressing.  The top B player was moved to the A division and the lower A player demoted to the B level.  And then the top C player also was moved up to the more competitive B division.  And the lowest B player was also dropped down to the C division to make the 2nd half more closely contended.  

By playing once a week the players who show up consistently now are getting more comfortable and could handle some of the top players tricky serves better and the rallies are getting longer.  Several players have invested in new paddles and show great enthusiasm during each session.

Regardless of your skill most are finding the weekly session a bit addictive.  I tell players who are showing a passion and attending often that in order to improve they need to play outside the league nights.   Some of use are playing as much as 4-5 times a week at schools, churches and clubs outside Anchorage.  Listen to the veteran players and bend their ears for advise on footwork, strokes and strategy.