FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Board Approves Proposal Exempting Hardbats From The Two-color Rule

The Board of Directors passed (8-2-0) the Hardbat Committee's proposal to exempt hardbats with equal rubber from the two-color rule in domestic events. The Board's approval means that racquets which are non-compliant with the present red/black rule but which do conform to the definition of a "hardbat" (please see definition of "hardbat" in the Hardbat Table Tennis Rules at http://www.hardbat.com) may be used in any USATT sanctioned event which is not required to conform to the ITTF standard. The purpose of the proposal is to permit players to use the same equipment conforming to the standards for hardbat play in all USATT sanctioned non-ITTF matches. Reference can be made to the Classic "Hardbat" Table Tennis Rules, Section 1.2.1, "Rubber", which requires that playing surfaces which do not conform to the red/black standard be identical to each other in every other aspect.