Blazing Paddles The Lane County Table Tennis Club

"The First Game" - Courtesy Larry Hodges

Recent History - by Robert "Bj" Jacobucci

It was a most fortunate time for me when I discovered the group in May of 2005. At that time there were about 6 regular players... and I immediately made 7!

We were playing at the old Memorial Bldg in Springfield right across from the Post Office. We had a single table which was sufficient for that size group. The players that were there when I arrived were Harry Ehrmantrout, Tom Mitchell, Dave Combs, Bob Foster, Jean Rubel, and Larry Arnold. Since then, only Jean has dropped out.

After a year of fun, we were informed in the spring of '06 that the Memorial Building was being taken over by the Springfield School District... and that we could no longer play there! We immediately began to search for where else we might play. The Willamalane Adult Center learned of our plight and offered us some limited time. We started out with 2 days a week but shortly thereafter our relationship grew and our playing times built up to where they are now.

Willamalane has a big room that we now get to use most of the time. Since this room accommodates 3 tables, it did not take us long to acquire 2 additional tables to fill the room. Now, with three tables and a membership of over 16, we have become the bustling vortex of energy that enlivens the adult center.

To add to the excitement, we have recently added a new location, the Regional Sports Center at 32nd and Main in Springfield. This location offers practically unlimited amounts of the crucial ingredient... SPACE! We have quickly gone from 1 to 4 tables here and are looking to add more!

Even we are amazed at what we have become. And, it only keeps getting better!

So come join us and you too can become part of the excitement!

The Clubs Origins

As our oldest and longest term member, Harry Ehrmantrout, has related to me, the club originated in 1992. He recalls that the Willamalane Center had posted a flyer for anyone interested in a night of ping pong. Harry said that about 6 people showed up that night and that the group kept meeting. Some came and some went. It wasn't until 1994 that Tom Mitchell, our 2nd longest term member, joined that group.

Eventually, the group moved to the Memorial Building at 8th and "A" St in Springfield. It was there that Dave Combs, Larry Arnold, and Bob Foster would join. These current members, along with Jean Rubel (who is no longer with the group), were the core group that were still there when I came on the scene in 2005. That was when the earlier section marked "Recent History" (top of this page) began.