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This topic is just for discussion only. We know that the switch from celluloid to plastic was to slow down the game, reduce spin(allegedly to handicap China players) and make it more viewer friendly.
HOWEVER.....
Sure the game has slowed but I personally find the matches to be quicker as the rallies end faster (usually due to error rather than outright winning). I actually find the matches more boring now and my friends tend to agree as well. Here is what the plastic ball seems to bring in my opinion:
Lets assess if plastic balls accomplished their objectives as listed above
1. Game slowed but ends faster due to errors therefore I think the plastic balls made things worse
2. Spin definately reduce. If it really was to handicap China players, ITTF certainly forgot to think about other players as they also rely on Spin although not as much as the Chinese. So really, although China players are handicaped, other players are also handicaped and i think it does more harm to other players relative to China players as the Chinese are better at spinning the ball. So even with the plastic ball, the ball will still be spinny(by China) but can the same be said for other players?
3. It certainly makes the sport more viewer friendly, but I think it defeats the purpose as the games are quite boring now. So on one hand you have viewers who are not put of by the speed and might be interested in the sport, on the other hand they might be bored and not be interested in playing.
Although these are my own opinions and have no real hard data to support it, I believe that the plastic ball has failed to accomplish its intended role. If it did, it certainly brought other undesirable effects which negate any Pros. Therefore do you guys think ITTF will consider switching back? It seems to have a neutral affect on non-table tennis players but existing players generally dislike playing with the new ball.
Some Factors preventing change
HOWEVER.....
Sure the game has slowed but I personally find the matches to be quicker as the rallies end faster (usually due to error rather than outright winning). I actually find the matches more boring now and my friends tend to agree as well. Here is what the plastic ball seems to bring in my opinion:
- Quicker and more boring matches
- Player injury
- More errors
- Ball breaks faster
- Not as fun to play compared to celluloid.
Lets assess if plastic balls accomplished their objectives as listed above
1. Game slowed but ends faster due to errors therefore I think the plastic balls made things worse
2. Spin definately reduce. If it really was to handicap China players, ITTF certainly forgot to think about other players as they also rely on Spin although not as much as the Chinese. So really, although China players are handicaped, other players are also handicaped and i think it does more harm to other players relative to China players as the Chinese are better at spinning the ball. So even with the plastic ball, the ball will still be spinny(by China) but can the same be said for other players?
3. It certainly makes the sport more viewer friendly, but I think it defeats the purpose as the games are quite boring now. So on one hand you have viewers who are not put of by the speed and might be interested in the sport, on the other hand they might be bored and not be interested in playing.
Although these are my own opinions and have no real hard data to support it, I believe that the plastic ball has failed to accomplish its intended role. If it did, it certainly brought other undesirable effects which negate any Pros. Therefore do you guys think ITTF will consider switching back? It seems to have a neutral affect on non-table tennis players but existing players generally dislike playing with the new ball.
Some Factors preventing change
- Pride. The ITTF might be too prideful to acknowledge that they were wrong and thus will not switch even with mass protest.
- Manufacturers of table tennis products might lobby against the decision. Imagine all those $$$ spent on new machinery and R&D to pave the way for plastic balls. Not to mention the balls break fast and so customers are incentivised to buy more balls which represent $$$ to manufacturers