Ping-Pong League Kicking Off at Local Recreation Center

The official sport of musty basements and Cold War diplomacy is coming to Carrollwood.

Later this month, the Roy Haynes Recreation Center will be kicking off its weekly Monday night Ping-Pong league, so pick up your paddle and start working on your drop shot.

"The Parks and Recreation Association have listed Ping-Pong as one of its top upcoming sports," said Russell Elefterion, facility manager at the Roy Haynes recreation center.

Ping-Pong, or Table Tennis, as it is known by the International Olympic Committee, (who have recognized it as an Olympic sport since 1988) is experiencing a comeback in the United States. November saw the release of Everything You Know Is Pong, a collection of writings on how Ping-Pong has changed the world.

Meanwhile, SPiN New York, a unique Manhattan Ping-Pong club, has become a hot spot since its launch in 2009.

"We are just trying to hop on the bandwagon," Elefterion said with a smile.

The league will use a ladder ranking system similar to those used in boxing. Players will be able to challenge another player within three spots of them in the rankings. If they win, they take the spot and move up the rankings. 

"There's going to be two divisions:  a recreation division and a novice division," Elefterion said. "So, experienced players can have some competition, but if you're just looking to come out and have some fun, you can play, too."

And from the players that Elefterion expects to be playing - including a nephew of former top-ranked tennis professional Jim Courier - he expects to see some competition.

"That novice division is going to be pretty good," he said.

The season will last for 10 weeks throughout the winter, with trophies and prizes to be handed out, and the top ranked players in each division at the end to be named champions.

To register, visit the Roy Haynes Recreation Center at 1902 S. Village Avenue, or contact Russell Elefterion at (813) 903-3480.