The Rise and Shine of the Northeast Region Table Tennis League

By Rhoda Samkoff

The first tournament of the Northeast League blew into the NJTTC in Westfield, New Jersey on the bitter cold morning of January 26th.  By mid-afternoon things had heated up, as all twenty-one teams had arrived, with three, four, or five players per team.  In all, over 150 players and spectators spent the day there, and the significance of the event was not lost on any of them.

The Northeast Region Table Tennis League was the brainchild of George Brathwaite, who envisioned it as a “revival of team spirit” for players in the New York Metropolitan area long before there was a national focus on the need for community camaraderie.  His plan is to provide the players with “the opportunity to be a part of something new and exciting.”

During the past three years George secured sponsors, decided on venues, and formulated and distributed packets of information to the team captains.  He also worked with the president of the Puerto Rico Table Tennis Association, Ivan Santos, so that we could host a visiting team.  George divided the League into the following divisions:

The players arrived from all compass points of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with team names such as:  “Mission Impossible, “Jersey Kids,” and the “Motley Crew” (my team). The “Trojans” took a little ribbing when it was overheard that they were “going to get ripped!”  And for a while only one of the Three Musketeers showed up, rendering the team two thirds incomplete.  (Is there such a thing as One Musketeer?)  And then there was the team that made a cell call to George to say, “We’re on the Parkway, but we don’t know if we’re going north or south!”

George lived up to his nickname “Chief” as he presided over the event in the capacity of Chairman of the National League Committee, Tournament Organizer, and Team Captain (of “The Untouchables”).

As everyone knows, no event can run itself.  George had major assistance from a variety of sources and important people. The very capable and fun Desiree Diaz helped keep things running smoothly from the control booth.  George proudly announced that more than eighty matches were played on time throughout the day.  Wally Green offered valuable computer help.  Lily Yip was instrumental in providing the balls, umpire tables, and scoreboards, and was part of the welcoming committee for the teams from Puerto Rico.

Larry Bavly, who has been the in-house expert director of monthly tournaments at the NJTTC for years and years had the day off ... and just PLAYED!

Although there was a lot of friendly kidding around and sharing of food and advice, the players took the first leg of the tournament very seriously.  The play was intense and team support was obvious by the generous and appreciative applause ... cheering, not jeering!

Many teams showed up in matching outfits.  The Puerto Rico members wore handsome blue shirts with TENIS DE MESA printed on the backs.

George expresses his gratitude to the sponsors of the League:  The New York Hospital for Special Surgery, Lily Yip Sports, Inc., Health Expo Corporation, and USATT.

The participants are gearing up for the next stops; one in late March and another in April.  There are plans for the top teams in each division to travel to Puerto Rico to play the finals.  As Ivan Santos (president, Puerto Rico Table Tennis Association) said, “We want to give you the same attention and hospitality that you have given to us.”

For more info on the league, go to www.geocities.com/usatabletennis. For League standings and results (as of the March 16 meet), go to http://www.usatt.org/news/ne_league_3-16-02.shtml