History of Paddle

    
Platform Tennis, known to players as "paddle" was first played during the winter of 1928 by Fessenden S. Blanchard and James K. Cogswell in Scarsdale, New York. The two were avid tennis players looking for a winter outdoor activity that would keep their racquet skills honed.

    Their solution was a wooden court one fourth the size of a tennis court.  Over the years the court has improved with the current structure a 30' X 60' all-aluminum court heated and elevated off the ground for snow removal. The wide screens are 12' high and have tension as they are "live".

     Paddle is similar to tennis except that the screens are in play and you have only one serve. The racquet is solid with 78 holes and the ball is a dense sponge rubber. It is predominantly a double game played between October and April, although more and more enthusiasts are playing year round.

    One of the reasons paddle has become so popular is that it is quite easy to become proficient. It is a game of strategy, no power.  Consequently age is not as big a factor in competition as it is in other sports.  Paddle is appealing because it can be played both socially and competitively for both fun and exercise.  Paddle is a game one can enjoy for a lifetime.

    The American Platform Tennis Association was founded in 1935 and its membership has steadily grown over the years.  By paddle's Golden Jubilee year there were over 400,000 avid paddle players nationwide. The APTA organizes over 100 regional and national tournaments for all levels and ages each year.  They also assist local clubs and organizations in running tournaments and programs.