Mike Bernhard and Jim Gableman warmed up with a few volleys before the Shorewood Table Tennis Club’s first night of winter league Wednesday. Bernhard calmly caught the ball after a minute of warm up and nonchalantly said, “You ready?” A quick nod from Gableman and it was game on. The percussive of the tiny ping-pong balls quickly filled the gym at Shorewood Intermediate School.

Bernhard and Gableman were just two of the 25 people who showed up for the tournament and another 15 people came for open play when they opened up play for the winter.

But of course, they don’t call it “ping pong” in these parts.

 “People here are playing table tennis, people in their basements are playing ping pong,” joked Dave Peters who is a member of STTC.

Linda Leaf, president of the club, has played table tennis for about 10 years. The club was founded in 2005 and has become the largest and most active group in Wisconsin according to Leaf.  The STTC has over 500 members statewide and is the only club that sponsors official Wisconsin State Table Tennis Championships, one of which is being hosted on April 9 at the Shorewood Intermediate School.

Leaf is also the chair of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2011 US Open which is being held in Milwaukee in early July. This is the equivalent to tennis’ US Open and is one of the premiere events for the table tennis community.

Happening around the same time is the US Para Open, which is also being held in Milwaukee. The Para Open is held for those with various disabilities, such as those in wheel chairs. Leaf said that the Para Open will bring some of the best table tennis players from around the world. The STTC is holding a para-training camp at the Shorewood High School.

For the less than tournament worthy

For those who want to just get their paddles wet with some causal table tennis, the STTC reserves at least five courts for open play every Wednesday and Friday night from 6:30pm till 9:30pm. The STTC boasts 15 high quality tables for their players. These tables are a significant upgrade over your standard basement varieties that are usually held together by duct tape and hope.

The STTC is a non-profit organization, but there is a membership fee. An adult year pass is usually $100, but for Shorewood residents it is only $80. However, if you just want to check it out, a day pass for a Shorewood resident is only $4, or for an entire family, only $6. They have used rackets and ping pong balls if you don’t own any for yourself.

Bernhard says the STTC is trying to do a lot of after school programs. Bernhard is a board member of the club. “These days it’s all about football and baseball. Who plays football after school? Once people come, they love it and keep coming back,” said Bernhard.

“It’s a great resource people don’t know about in Shorewood. It’s kind of a family here,” board member Jim Zonoozi said.