If you watch a lot of sports channels on TV, like ESPN, you'll occasionally see table tennis games. Table tennis, often referred to as ping-pong, is played on a wooden table where plastic balls and rubber-covered rackets and nets share a playing surface. The rules are so similar that it is sometimes called a miniature version of tennis.
Table tennis is a fun and exciting sport that is easy to learn. The big advantage of playing table tennis is that you don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment. The most expensive part is, of course, the table. An inexpensive table tennis set consisting of a net, two bats and several balls can be found in almost every department store in the toys and sporting goods department.
The table tennis game was invented in England in the 1880s by wealthy Victorians looking for activities to play indoors. When the game was first played, the book served as a net, the knot of the string or the cork of champagne acted as a ball, and the lid of the cigarette box acted as a bat. Apparently, this reinvented game with makeshift gear became more popular as it became more popular.
The equipment was improved at the beginning of the 20th century. The ball was made of celluloid, and the paddles consisted of a piece of rubber glued to a wooden handle. The word table tennis was coined from the unique sound of the ball when hit with a rubber bat. When Parker Brothers first introduced the game in the United States, it was called Ping Pong.
The commercial availability of the device made the game so popular that the first tournament was held in 1902. The Table Tennis Association was founded in England in 1921, and less than 10 years later, the first world championships were held in England.
Over time, sports have spread to other parts of the world. It is known as ping pong in Far Eastern countries such as China, but similar terms are used in other countries.
Other innovations took place in the 1950s as well. For example, a layer of sponge has been added to the racket on top of the rubber to make the racket lighter and easier for the player to handle. Finally, table tennis was recognized as an Olympic sport in 1988, more than a century later.
In late 2000, the international organization governing table tennis rules made further changes. They decided to increase the size of the plastic balls used in the tournament from 38mm to 40mm. This was an attempt to slow down the game a bit. The game's scoring method has also changed to use an 11-point system instead of the traditional 21-point system, making every set fast and exciting for players and spectators.
Enjoy the table tennis experience and don't forget to keep an eye on the ball.
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