The Baystate Table Tennis Club meets at the Congregation B’nai Torah on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for league play.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow’s Baystate Table Tennis Club is celebrating eight decades of fostering a community of friendship and healthy competition for Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut table tennis players of all ages and skill levels.
World War II veteran Ralph Naylor founded the club in 1946, leading it to become one of the region’s longest standing table tennis organizations. The club is located at the Congregation B’Nai Torah, 2 Eunice Drive, but found early homes at Smith’s Billiards in Springfield and the Springfield Boys and Girls Club.
The club has more than 75 active members, ranging from ages 12 to 99. It offers year-round opportunities to play table tennis, such as open play sessions in the summer and three levels of league competition in the fall for beginners, intermediate and advanced players.
A press release said, “the inclusive atmosphere and multigenerational membership reflect the club’s longstanding commitment to recreation, fitness and community connection.”
Club President Bruce Millen joined the club in 1994 and said it’s open to everyone.
“We have different leagues that cater to different levels of play,” Millen said. “Our Monday night league, we have two levels which provides some mentorship and coaching. The upper level players help the lower level players because they all play on the same team, and the results are all added together to the team championship. From there, we have the Wednesday night league, which is somewhat comparable to the upper levels of Monday. It’s a little more challenging. Our Tuesday night league is open for all the top players. A lot of these players are ranked players with the American Table Tennis Association.”
Millen said the club is family friendly, with parents, grandparents and children all competing together. Players also come from all different backgrounds, from a retired surgeon to engineers and business owners.
He added that being with the club for 32 years has been a wonderful experience and it’s where some of his best friends are.
“It’s very nice to run into people and they know who you are and you know who they are,” Millen said. “You have a connection and that’s what our club is all about — connections.”
Club member Linda Skole said she has loved the game since childhood but never imagined it would become such an important part of her life.
“I was just amazed at how welcoming and helpful everyone was,” Skole said. “Compared to them, I was somewhat of a beginner. They were willing to play with me, they gave me advice and they were helping me to improve. I discovered that the Baystate Table Tennis Club was so much more than just table tennis. It became a social activity that I really looked forward to playing every week … It’s a great stress release, it’s fun, I got back in shape, I made new friendships and became involved in other sport activities that I met through the club.”
Skole said the club is all about a welcoming atmosphere, the willingness to help one another and “the fact that people of different ages and skill levels can come together and enjoy the game.”
Frank Grimaldi, the club’s 99-year-old member, said staying active is important to him and table tennis lets him achieve that.
“It’s good exercise, it keeps my hand-eye coordination sharp and most importantly, I enjoy the game,” Grimaldi said. “Playing at the club also gives me the opportunity to compete in the senior games and continue challenging myself, but what I enjoy most is the camaraderie. I’ve made wonderful friendships at the club, and that’s what keeps me coming back.”
Millen said planning a big celebration for the 80th anniversary is a little tricky with the ongoing leagues, but the club invites the public to play at a free open house at the congregation on Sept. 14 from 7-10 p.m.
Those interested in joining the club or attending the open house can find more information on the club’s Facebook page, @BaystateTableTennisClub, or by contacting Millen at 413-847-1116.
