Kristin Kuchenbecker « Robert Trudell

Posts Tagged ‘Kristin Kuchenbecker’

Phone a Friend – The Secret Answer to Ping-Pong’s Popularity

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

While we all may know the answer, many realize, but few recognize the power and popularity that phoning friends provides Ping-Pong. What condensed blurb do I share to increase the popularity of Table Tennis? Like a deer in the headlights, I couldn’t for the life of me answer my interviewer’s Question. I sat feeling like Sarah Palin in an interview with Katie Couric and remembering Tina Fey’s parody asking to “Phone a Friend” in help for the answer. I wanted to blurt it out, but instead I searched and searched and provided little more than a shrug, a shake of the head and a toss of my hands in the air.

I finally admitted I couldn’t think of one. I then went on, and on, and on about things I’d heard from others like it’s international following and how it brings cross cultural understandings and blah, blah, blah. Of course while giving this answer I was thinking of The Answer Man’s response on increasing the popularity of Hardbat. His answer to Scott Gordon is “Have Rob Trudell hire strippers as cheerleaders.“ I’ve spent hours imagining, demonstrating and following the attraction that bouncing breasts bring to the game.

Like many answers, the true answer came to me later that night after the interview; the answer touched me throughout my ping pong career. Phoning friends always worked for me. It’s more a pragmatic than a dramatic answer; it’s an answer that truly works.

Table Tennis takes 2 to make it right and building from that number is easy as pie. Whether it’s Luis Houed, and I playing Ping Pong at Phoenix’s Playa Bar or Jay Turberville at Tucson’s Maloney’s Bar, bringing 1 friend to the table attracts others. The Map to Popularity is simple, bring one and attract many. The guarantee is there is always someone to play with.

Luong Nguyen practices his Ping Pong Magic

In the desolate Yuma, Arizona desert Foothills, Luong Nguyen invokes “Phone a Friend” to conjure up another spell. I first met Yuma’s Top Player, “Lou” at a Yuma Army Proving Ground (YPG) Double Elimination Tournament. It’s with the Phone that Steve, the YPG Gym’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation Director, organizes the event. Steve maintains a list of Tournament Players and their Phone Numbers; he calls the players in for specially scheduled matches that progress over weeks until the Final Elimination Match is held and Trophies are presented. Luong contacted me directly to schedule our 1st YPG match and to check if he could get a ride back to the Foothills afterward.

Steve suggested once I met some local players, I’d find other places to practice and play. Steve was right. I surveyed Yuma for table tennis action and found nothing more than lonely tables in empty gyms. There are tables at the Arizona Western College Recreation Center, the National Guard Armory, the Army YPG Gym and Yuma Marine Corp Air Station. I also saw online the Criminals at Yuma Union High School organized some sort of club.

Luong later invited me to play at Chuck Keller’s house with it’s dedicated Table Tennis Room and Sauna. While the room has an air-conditioner, I think Chuck turns it off to prevent the wind from blowing the ball around. I had a chance play Luong’s son, Liem and meet his other son Sam. Luong coached the 2 for 2 years after they discovered the game and expressed an interest in improving.

Tuesday's with Chuck (Keller)

Tuesday’s with Chuck

Chuck called me one morning and asked me to commit to practice with him twice a week. I’ve committed to practice every Tuesday and am open to more sessions when I’m in town.