The Washington times., 1902-02-09

| - although only introduced this sea-
son in America as an indoor win
ter game, promises TO become a
fad in Washington.
| Persons in this city who have recently
visited Europe have been the first to be-
come infected with the craze. Among
these is the Siamese Minister Mr.. l..
| kruavah, who is a passionate devotee of
| the sport. In Mr.. Kruavah's chambers at
the Arlington, several ping-p pong outfits
are always ready for service.
There is still just enough novelty about
! the game here TO make it probable that
one person out of two has never heard
| it. The term so far adopted in this coun-
try of ''parlor tennis is descriptive of
| the sport, and the apparatus resembles
q miniature tennis outfit.
How IL Is Played.
Across bare, clothless table is
! stretched net some inches high. The
| players use racquets such as in their
| childhood they doubtless employed IN the
fascinating juvenile sport of battledore
| and shuttleccck. The ball used is an ex-
tfemeiy light affair, and. no ma tier how
strongi: propelled by the racquet, could
| scarcel! injure amy one even by striking
| him in the et
gentleman usually challenges a lady
| Whe2 two ski!iul players engage, the
| rapio.tT with which the ball flies from
racquet to racquet is simply astonishing.
and even the spectators get worked up
to the fever pitch of excitement waiting
| Tor the inevitrne losing stroke
lhe Enslish give it the name of ping
| pong tom the curious sound which the
parchTont-covered racquets give forth
| when they strike the little balls The
I rules are almost the same as in tennis
| and the points are counted tennis fashion
| There is said TO be even more chance for
skillful handling of the ball than in the
outdoor sport, and there are tricks in
Vulnerable which add interest and variety
| Expert players can keep up the volleying
| process Tor remarkably long time be-
| iore one OF them makes a false stroke
In British Camps.
The officers of the British army are said
to have carried pingpong sets to South
| Africa with them and to have set up
their tables on the veldt when they have
remained for any length of time in camp.
Women have taken greatly TO the game,
| for the exercise and excitement are Just
enough to make their cheeks flush and
| their eyes brighter. 1t is reported to have
| gained a foothold on ocean steamers. not
| withstanding the difficulties of PLAYING
well on "A rolling ship. The purser of an
| ocean steamship, talking about this phase
OF the sport the other day. said:
1t will be found occupying a prominent
place among the amusements advertised
on sailing bills. Supplies of bats and
balls are carried now regularly by pas
senger vessels. Should the weather be at
all likely, the one recreation is ping
pong. Every other amusement which was
| formerly popular is discarded How long
this is likely to last is another question
Down the entire length OF the tab in
| the dining room, net is run. A number
OF couples can therefore play simulta-
neousiy. II takes even proficient players
some time to get accustomed to the mo-
tion when the ship is rolling, but it is
mere matter Of practice.
On the Ocean Steamer
"Ali day long, when the table is not In
Use for meals. people are playing at ping
pong In the evening, sweepstake tour
nament is arranged, when the excitement
is intense. 1t is. by all odds. the best all
round amusement we've ever had on a
voyage, for all the passengers, young and
1t may not be amiss to quote some OBJ
servations on playing pingpong by f.
Pal ker. champion of all England:
Constant practice Of new strokes"
says Mr. Parker thought out during
spare moments. is the secret OF success
| at ping-pon
To perform the most important
strokes. it is necessary for the racket to
be held as short as possible. | should
recommend every one to try to play with
the thumb and first finger on opposite
sides of the framework of the racquet,
the other fineers holding the handle,
which should not project beyond the palm
OF the hand. The racquet should be made
of yellum of good quality.
Directions for Hitting.
"The service claims attention first. /
hold the ball a little below the level of
the table. Throwing the ball up a little,
I hit il straight toward the spot where
wish it to fall Directly the racket touches
the ball it must he drawn upward sharply,
the spin thus impaired causing it to fall
rapidly and shoot For slow service,
hold the racket so that its surface is par
allel to the floor and cut the ball as quick
ly as possible. 1t will rise slowly and
break almost at right angles
ITO beginners ! would say: Don't get
disheartened if the ball never touches
your racket. II will come in time Try at
first simply to hit the ball with the middle
of the racket. The rest will come. Then
commence q develop the principal strokes.
and so on until you begin to get IDEAS of
your own; then develop them"
SOMETHING ABOUT LINEN.