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[varghese]

The hardbat classic tournament will take place in Las Vegas between June 26 and June 28. I will be a volunteer there.

More details at http://www.hardbatclassic.com/

If you guys have any question, let me know. I may not have all the info, still learning the rules and other stuff of this tournament.

[varghese]

[ejunkie]

Why aren't you playing? Do you have any hardbat gear to play with? I wanted to get some and try it long ago.

[729 fx]

Ya, how come you are not taking part as a player in this tournament? Would love to try hardbatting around as in my opinion it is due to skill rather than equipment technology in this type of tournament.

[ejunkie]

What's the most common setup that I can get? I know hook blades are desirable......

[ejunkie]

Varghese, do you have a report for us on how you think this tournament was ran. I read some crys of unfairness because of the handicap system. What's your take? Any pics or videos?

[729 fx]

I read somewhere that there was 4 groups of players for this tournament, namely elite players such as David Zhuang, USATT rated players who are not elite, bar players, and basement players. Players that had a USATT rating had to spot (or received) points based on a handicap system. Not sure if any handicapping was used for bar or basement players if they played a non-elite or USATT player.

Highly rated players had to spot up to 17 points to a game to 21, meaning it is a 21 point game and the maximum handicap an elite player has to give is 17 points. David Zhuang did not make it out of his group as he had to give 17 points per game in each of his matches

The winner, Jack Baker was from the bar group and beat the winner from the basement group in the finals. The basement group winner was a former hardbat player from the 1960s and 1970s but did not have a recent USATT rating and therefore was determined by the organiser as qualified for that group.

I was hoping there will be discussions in the forum on the handicap system and where high rated players(USATT ranked) were severly punished by having to give so many points.

There will be another Hardbat Tournament next year, organises by Bud Light.

For news, please see : http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/the ... ty-people/

[729 fx]

My opinion on the recently concluded Hardbat Classic Tournament last month :

1) The handicap system was OK but for 17 poins maximum - I think this is too much points given away. Maybe a 10 or 12 points handicap would be ideal, but that is just my opinion.
So basically, the system served to weed out all the good tt players and leave the finals represented by hardbat players of equal strength.

2) Live footage - is there any live footage or delayed telecast on this tournament? I heard ESPN sent a crew there. I was informed in another forum that none of the finalists (except Trevor Runyon) had any competitive fire in them for this tournament. They played emotionless points the entire time.
Anyway, if Bud/ESPN wants better footage then they have to use a system that lets better players through. If they do use the same system they will most likely have to use a players highest USATT rating, and lower the amount of points used in the handicap.

3) Is there a ruling body/associations looking into the welfare of Hardbat Tournament? In the US or other parts of the world?

BTW, next year tournament will have USD1 Million dollars as the main prize. Do expect foreign countries to start training at this tournament. Any ITTF Pro Tour event gives out around $100,000 for first place.

(Note : USD 1 million dollars is more than winning first place at the Wimbledon in tennis and just a bit short of first place at the Masters Tournament in Golf.)

[varghese]

Sorry guys for late heads up.

I did not go the Hardbat classic tournament. I was supposed to be volunteer. I had an important appointment on June 30 th. It was difficult for me to come back to Salt Lake and then back to Las Vegas again for the US Open.

Many top players were disappointed by the handicap rules. You give out a lot of points and finally lose. A lot of good hardbat players could not advance. The organizers have to change this rule, otherwise the big shots may not participate next year.

A bar player from England won the prize money - that's what I've heard from the Killerspin crew at the US Open.