If I could do a poll in here i would. I want to see which sport, badminton or Ping pong, is more popular in USA. I was channel surfing the other day and i come to realize how insignificant and unpopular badminton really is. There was Ping Pong on TV on one of the sports channel. I didn't think ping pong is that popular. Even that is not heart wrenching enough, there were, Deer Hunting, fly fishing, bass fishing, snow boarding, Roller Blading, Skate boarding, Poker, Archery, weight lifting, rod bending, Mud swiming, white water rafting, kyacking and much more ativities that are so-called sports...being broadcast on USA sports TV. Come on put some badminton on TV. I know USA badminton broadcasted some videos couple months ago but it was on a Tennis channel. As badminton fanatic i am, I didn't get to see it. It wasn't availible on Directv.

What do you people think of the USA badminton scene?

sorry if this been posted before.

it depends on where you are. badminton is i guess predominantly played by asians in america. all those sports you listed are predominantly played by caucasians. fly fishing? deer hunting? yeah mostly caucasians do those things. (no offense to anyone) i mean come on, baddy has like 100x more action than fishing :rolleyes: then again, baddy in america has been known as a backyard thing you play.

just my 2 cents

Interesting that this topic be brought up.

In Asia Star and Supersports transmit sports by satellite.

In 2002 there was plenty of table tennis and badminton to watch.

By 2003 there was no more Table Tennis on TV, possibly only in China.

I suppose badminton may just follow, fortunately badminto is popular also

in Malaysia and Indonesia.

But TT is dominated by Koreans, China and Europeans.

I think ping pong is easier to play than badminton. :) No need to run as much as badminton.

actually, i have much respect for ping pong. if you think badminton is fast, i think pingpong is even faster with a smaller and lighter ball to control.

I played Ping Pong very competitively when I was young (from 5 to 14). It was the only sport I can beat these kids from sport schools (these kids became professional to represent China when they grow up). Ping Pong is faster than badminton. Technique is different. Ping Pong needs more concentration. Badminton needs more strength. I did not play Ping Pong seriously after 14 because my eyesight was not perfect anymore. My father who was a former Chinese player told me I would not have any chances to be on the top due to my reflex could be slower than before.

Incidently the World Team Championships will be held in

Doha from March 1-7.

Two stations are broadcasting live, CCTV and Eurosport.

Starsports/ESPN have not announced any live coverage, so for the first time in

recent years there will be no live telecast of TT in Asia (except China).Supersports

never carry badminton ( next to nobody play TT in Malaysia).

Badminton can consider itself lucky.

Man, this is like Badminton Vs Tennis.

I know it's a matter of choice but guys, what is more spectacular, Badminton or Tennis???

Even my friend who prefer Tennis admit that badminton is way more spectacular. I'm sure that if we show more Badminton competition on TV the sport will grow up!!

Originally posted by kwun
actually, i have much respect for ping pong. if you think badminton is fast, i think pingpong is even faster with a smaller and lighter ball to control.

Plus, in doubles, Pingpong players could only hit it alternately, well badminton players have a little bit more freedom. Therefore, how to utlize the space (formation) between 2 players could be more critical for Pingpong.

Originally posted by Brave_Turtle
I'm sure that if we show more Badminton competition on TV the sport will grow up!!

It's a matter of who will shot the 1st bullet. In business world, not too many invester want to be the 1st one to test the market, as it could be very risky.

Also, I think Pingpong requires less investment (equipment, facility renting, etc) to start with. Therefore it draws more popularity easily. I still remember about 15 yrs ago, many classmates tend to play pingpong after class (just get a little platform, etc) but seldom saw ppl play badminton, as it's too expensive, especially for kids.

The only thing I don't like about PingPong is the table.

You have to have the table(with net) in order to play.

But with badminton, you can play anywhere you like as long as you have two people :) (I used to play at the park with my family a lot!)

Originally posted by bluejeff
The only thing I don't like about PingPong is the table.

You have to have the table(with net) in order to play.


Not really.

In old days, we always have the "poor man's" setup for pingpong. Use a fairly large platform (large desk, cafe table, etc prefered), put some pencil boxes or pieces of bricks in the middle as the net. We use cheap bat, hard cover books, or even bare hand to play.

Typical 3rd world setup? ;)

Plus, in doubles, Pingpong players could only hit it alternately, well badminton players have a little bit more freedom. Therefore, how to utlize the space (formation) between 2 players could be more critical for Pingpong.

That is why double for Ping Pong is not that exciting compare with single. But badminton double is totally new game compare with single. So the Ping Pong team world championship (like TC, UC in badminton) does not feature double at all.

The only thing I don't like about PingPong is the table.
The training investment for Ping Pong is lesser than badminton, too. I only hit the ball to the wall by myself at the beginning (from 5 to 7). No equipment was required. I used to play with my father with two chairs (no back) place slight apart (represent table each side), no net. You hit the ball bounce from your chair and sent it back to the other chair with spin, smash etc. Talking about control, reflex (ball travels much short distance) and concentration, I enjoyed it even I never beat my father for a single game. Once you move to the big real table, control was a piece of cake and the precision was super.

Most of the major chain-sport stores carry Ping Pong accesories from, paddles, ping pong balls, wrist band to sweat towels. Only a few carry badminton equipment and it's extremely hard to find. If you do find one they mostly sell carlton and some low end rackets.

People here still have that image of badminton being a backyard sport. Recreational use and not competition.

Someone made a point that badminton it is too costly to play, especially for kids. Tennis and badminton has its similarities, then so why are so many people are playing tennis rather than badminton?

The main reason badminton is not popular it is because, in my opinion, is not have enough place to play and the hours are bad. Yes you got that right! Not enough place to play! I play two days a week because the club only open two days a week. If i want to play more I need to drive a distance. If i want to play tennis there are plently of places to play; there are tons of parks next to my house that available to play 24/7, seven days a week.

Originally posted by shawntn

Most of the major chain-sport stores carry Ping Pong accesories from, paddles, ping pong balls, wrist band to sweat towels. Only a few carry badminton equipment and it's extremely hard to find. If you do find one they mostly sell carlton and some low end rackets.

Someone made a point that badminton it is too costly to play, especially for kids. Tennis and badminton has its similarities, then so why are so many people are playing tennis rather than badminton?


For 1st question:

Pingpong accessories are fair cheap compare to badminton. The TT paddles (bats) could be roughly $20-$60, but higher end racket will easily be $120+. Therefore, u don't want to risk to over stock $100+ stuff.

For 2nd question:

1. U can use tennis balls over and over, but feather birds only last 10-15 min.

2. U can get free tennis ground in public park, hardly apply for badmitnon.

3. The pay back. Elite tennis players could win millions. Even local heroes could at least get good college scholarship. What baddy elites get???

Originally posted by ymq03
My father who was a former Chinese player told me I would not have any chances to be on the top due to my reflex could be slower than before.

Since you guys have said most of my thoughts, i dont have much to add except that ymq03's dad reminds me of homer simpson's lesson for his son Bart:

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. --Homer Simpson


:D

I personally think ping pong is a very hard sport to master... Watching the nationals play is berserk, I can actually count the number of hits in a rallies which are like one or two.. Usually they hit it out off the return of service or into the net, it's really complicated to control the ball.

There's a guy who pays ping pong at a national level and then switched to badminton because he feels badminton has a better atmosphere I guess. You have friends you can play with, you can share the court with 4 people, etc. I guess he felt ping pong was some what, lonely.

From what I was told from this guy, ping pong isn't THAT cheap. The paddle itself is 60 bux however, the rubber needs to be changed every so often and that's very costly for a good quality one, etc.

Shawntn,

I feel your pain...

Trust me, outdoor badminton courts are not as good as indoor ones. Firstly, the birdie is more susceptible to wind. Second, any outdoor surface for baddy pales in comparison to the proper indoor surface in terms of quality due to exposure to the elements. You won't want to take a dive at the birdie in an outdoor court:D.

Originally posted by LazyBuddy
For 1st question:

Pingpong accessories are fair cheap compare to badminton. The TT paddles (bats) could be roughly $20-$60, but higher end racket will easily be $120+. Therefore, u don't want to risk to over stock $100+ stuff.

For 2nd question:

1. U can use tennis balls over and over, but feather birds only last 10-15 min.

2. U can get free tennis ground in public park, hardly apply for badmitnon.

3. The pay back. Elite tennis players could win millions. Even local heroes could at least get good college scholarship. What baddy elites get???


Why couldn't they build badminton courts in public parks? The cost of building a tennis court vs a badminton court could practically be at the same rate.
Public tennis are not popular anymore, that leaves public tennis courts empty. These questions should address to local polititians or governors but hell they dont like badminton. So why should they care.

"If you build, they will come." that includes me!

Originally posted by shawntn
Why couldn't they build badminton courts in public parks? The cost of building a tennis court vs a badminton court could practically be at the same rate.


I highly doubt it. Tennis court could be build in open area, where badminton need good inside facility (indoor). It requires high ceiling, good floor (mats, etc), etc.

The worst thing about outdoor courts is the rain.
I can 100% guarantee you that no shuttles can fly under heavy rain :rolleyes:

Also, sunlights will destroy the floor matts, so they usually use concret as the floor, and thus, not very good for safety.

Good point - but don't forget wind/breeze.

Although, in Sweden they used to play quite a bit of outdoor - I saw shots of the king
playing on the roof of a building.

I know in Indonesia they play a lot of outdoor, some areas at night becuase of heat, sometimes using car lights for illumination.

I have also seen games in Guangzhou outside in parks etc.

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. --Homer Simpson

I gave up Ping Pong not because my father told me so. At that time, I was more interested in playing basketball and soccer. And none of my classmates could play Ping Pong with me and my father was busy. I only played during competition. Playing with these kids from special sports school, it liked Camila playing with Chinese ladies. You may beat some of them, but you were very hard to win all. They had coaches and mates around to cheer. For me, I was just lonely one. There was a PE teacher with me. But she did not know any Ping Pong. Her responsibility was take me to stadium and sent me back home after game. But I have never regreted trying this sport. It was fun and gave me lots of memorable moments for my childhood.

Originally posted by bluejeff
But with badminton, you can play anywhere you like as long as you have two people :) (I used to play at the park with my family a lot!)

Sorry man but it's precisely because of badminton-in-the-park people that badminton can't get a decent foothold in the US.

Onlookers see kids and completely non-athletic types whacking around a shuttle in a park and this is the image they carry of badminton. No wonder they won't watch it on tv. It's the wussiest thing ever when you play in a park. There's no excitement or action, no chick is going to think you're a stud for playing badminton in the park. I mean sure, family bonding is good and all, but sometimes i'm with friends and i see people playing badminton in the park and even I can't explain to my friends how I'm not an absolute dweeb for playing badminton.

At least ping pong is an acknowledged "geek game" so at least it has its niche.

okay mud swimming, is it really what the name says it to be? you swim in mud?! :confused:

Originally posted by blahz
okay mud swimming, is it really what the name says it to be? you swim in mud?! :confused:

Yep, they make mud and swim in it. The name says it all. It's not that filty as it sounds.

swimming in mud....are you serious?! I still think it's a little dirty....

China will meet HK in the Women's world team championships tomorrow.China nearly lost to Japan in semis.(3-2).

In Mens played on Sunday, China beat Germany in semis and will met either Sweden or Korea.

I love ping pong. I have a ping pong table in my house, and I used to play a lot with my mom and dad. http://61.175.252.78/non-cgi/emot/em22.gif

Bbn:

My parents told me China Woman won the final when I called them yesterday. They were waiting the man's final. Do you know who won the final (China or Germany)? They told me Germany won someone again, so the final were still between China and Germany. They said it would be very close game depending on how China arrange the 3 players order. They told me China only had advantage due to all 5 players were equally good and other countries were hard to feature all 3 players in the same high level.

Germany beat Korea in semis.

In finals just now, China beat Germany again 3-0.

China fielded Wang Hao, Ma Lin and Wang Li Qin.

All scores one sided.

See ITTF site for details.

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