Sponge Bats In Table Tennis

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 13

Sponge Bats In Table Tennis

At the annual meeting of the International Table Tennis Federation last month, the question of whether or not sponge bats should be banned was shelved for a further year.

Opinions at the meeting were so divided that a sub-committee was appointed to devise drafts for standardisation of the thickness of bats and the material of which they are constructed. At present, the only restriction is that the surface must not be of a light colour as the ball would not show up against it. There is no restriction as to the size, shape, or material of the bat

Countries in favour of banning the sponge bat say it makes the game much more of a “hit-or-miss” affair, and takes away the spectator appeal provided by the long and scientific rallies possible with other bats. The matter first arose at the world championships in 1953. when the sponge bat was introduced by Japanese players. The main country in favour of banning the bat is England, hut New Zealand favours its retention. Joyce Williamson, writing from Stockholm at the conclusion of this year’s world championships, said that most of the spectacular games were played with sponge bats. A large proportion of the players, said Miss Williamson, used these bats, and they did not appear to spoil the game in any way.