ALVaTTC (Allentown/Lehigh Valley area Table Tennis Club) is a USATT (USA Table Tennis) and PATTA (Pennsylvania Table Tennis Association) affiliated club.  ALVaTTC is non-profit.  Dues are used to pay the club's rent and expenses. Any surplus is used to upgrade, purchase, repair, and maintain equipment.

A - PLEASE PAY ‘BEFORE’ YOU PLAY

New players play free the * first night only.  The rates per night are as follows: age 17 and under - $3.00; senior citizens (65+) - $4.00; college students (I.D. required) - $4.00; all others - $5.00.  Club membership can be paid for by the month, quarter, half‑year, or year at a rate of $30, $80, $140, and $240 respectively (senior citizens deduct 10%).  Open Play nights are on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (summer hours are from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and are in effect from ‘about’ mid June through ‘about’ mid September).  Allentown YMCA/YWCA members play free of charge, however, membership must be validated ‘every two (2) months’ prior to participating.

B - DUES

Anyone wishing to pay the annual rate may do so at any time, however, the period ends on December 31 of that year.  All per night rates are in effect the second play night of January until the annual rate is paid.  Semi‑annual rates are only accepted by the second play night of January and July.  Quarterly dues are only accepted by the first play night of each quarter, i.e. the first play night of January, April, July and October.  Monthly dues are only accepted by the first play night of the month.  There will be no pro‑rated refunds under any circumstances.

C - SAVINGS

Players are encouraged to join and/or renew USATT membership and purchase equipment through our club to help our treasury and save money for themselves.  All players are encouraged to join USATT and participate in USATT ‘sanctioned’ tournaments to establish a ‘published’ rating.

D - SAFETY

1. To ensure the safety of all players YMCA/YWCA insurance regulations REQUIRE that no player cross into another player's playing area while play is in progress.  
1. To assist you in identifying where one playing area ends and another begins, flat orange cones will be placed on the floor at the boundary between playing areas.  Note their location before beginning to play.  
2. In general, the player closest to a ball is to retrieve the ball. 
3. When a player needs to cross into another players playing area, then that player must wait for both practicing players to stop play and acknowledge the player crossing the area.  'LET' calls may only be made by the participating players and 'on duty' umpires.
4. Players must move barriers and walk around them.  Stepping or leaping over barriers is never acceptable.
2. Gluing: Fire Regulations require that all gluing be done OUTSIDE the building.
3. Consequences for failure to adhere to the safety regulations set out in these guidelines are as follows:
1. First Offense: Player will be asked to leave the playing areas that night with no refund.
2. Second Offense: Player will be asked to leave the playing areas that night with no refund and will not be permitted to return for 30 days.
3. Third Offense: Player will be asked to leave the playing areas that night with no refund and will not be permitted to return for 100 days.

E - ‘DOUBLES’ SAFETY:

Only ‘end’ tables may be used for doubles.

F - SETUP

Tables should be set up in the following manner 1‑2‑3, on the left side – 4-5-6, on the right side.

G - TABLE USAGE

Other than during ‘club’ tournaments, whenever there is an excess of 16 participants, tables # 1and # 2 will be reserved for players USATT rated above 1549. The remaining four tables are available for Any/All level players.  NOTE:  Although table # 6 is reserved for YMCA/YWCA members, everyone is to realize that it is a privilege to be allowed to participate, NOT a right!

H - SIGN-UP

When there is an excess of 16 participants, all players must sign the play sheet before they begin to play. The next person signed up will replace the loser of the match between the first two players. The player who signs up will be allowed to play before the player who doesn't, regardless of who was there first. Each player, after crossing out his/her name on the play sheet, is allowed to play two matches before he/she has to sign the play sheet again. If that player is unavailable when the next table opens, that player's name shall be crossed out and the player must re-sign the play sheet. Players on tables for which they did not sign up to play will be deemed to be 'just practicing' and must yield to player(s) who signed the play sheet. If you are 'just practicing’, you still need to sign the play sheet listing a circled 'P' AND your start time. ‘Practice’ time (in lieu of match play) is limited to 18 minutes.

Take note, that in keeping with item G above, players with a USATT rating above 1549 have the prerogative to bypass players on the play sheet rated below 1550 to compete on tables #1 and #2. This is accomplished by placing an 'X' after their name on the Play Sheet when signing up for their next match. However, that 'X' will also imply that their next match must be played on tables #1 or #2.

I - WARM UP

Each player has six (6) minutes to warm up before his/her first match. Warm up shall be limited to three (3) minutes for all subsequent matches. The match must begin after the allotted warm-up time has elapsed.  Players that help ‘set-up’ may have an additional ‘minimal’ warm-up time.

J - INFORMATION

Upcoming tournaments and other table tennis information are posted on our site www.alvattc.org, on the bulletin board and the USATT website.  NO PLAY on ‘Good Friday’.  The Allentown YMCA/YWCA does NOT allow discrimination and/or solicitation!! BOTH are LEGAL grounds for banishment.

K - EVENTS

ALVaTTc Sponsored Events

The following events are run by our club members. 
Please speak with a club officer to discuss how you can be of assistance at these events.

• Holiday Classic Tournament - 3rd Sunday in January (2 person ‘Team’ & 'Top Gun' Singles)
• Healthy Kids Day - Sunday - Mid-April.  Volunteers help with instructions and demonstrations. 
• SportsFest Tournament - 3rd Sunday of July (2-person ‘Team’ & 'Top Gun' Singles) Volunteers needed.
  
• SportsFest 'Ping-Pong' Tournament - 3rd Thursday of July (varied age and ability Singles and Doubles events)   

Other Events of Interest

• PA State Closed Tournament  -  4th weekend of April (singles & doubles for all ages and abilities)
• PA Keystone State Games Tournament - 4th weekend of July (singles and Team events for all ages and abilities)
• All ‘other’ USATT ‘sanctioned’ tournaments - Please go to www.usatt.org

L - RESPONSIBILITIES

Each person is responsible for cleaning up his/her own litter. Please use the trashcans to dispose of all litter [including restroom]. The YMCA/YWCA insists that food and drinks are not to be taken on any of the courts at ANYTIME!  One half hour before closing time and prior to leaving, each player is obliged to inquire if help is needed to put away any table(s) not being used. All players are responsible for putting away tables. The last players to leave are responsible for putting away the barriers, tables, nets, club rackets, and bulletin board and for seeing that the entire area is free of trash.  It is the responsibility of all players to report any damage caused or discovered. Anyone damaging equipment must either pay for or repair the damage.  Examples: table top replacement - $275 per side; major top damage - $50 to $150 per side; table chip or gouge - $35 to $70; club paddle - $50; table brace - $25; barrier - $10 to $30; net or net assembly - $10 to $35. Add $20 to these costs for gas and travel time for two workers. Anyone failing to repair, replace, or repay within three (3) play nights will be denied use of ALVaTTc facilities and activities until commitment is fulfilled.  This applies to all table tennis participants including YMCA/YWCA, ALVaTTc members, and visitors with absolutely no exceptions.  Do not attempt adjustment or repair of any equipment (especially net height, tension, and supports) without supervision.

M - CLUB TOURNAMENTS *

* 1st time walk-ins can still receive a 'free night' if they return to the club within 30 days. 

*Note that on nights when doubles events are being held, tables 2 and 5 may be used as practice tables (for up to 15 minutes at a time) provided that those practicing give respectful consideration to those playing doubles matches.

All times, activities, venues, formats and dates subject to change with/or without prior notice.

N - Cell phones

Players are requested to turn them OFF during play hours. ‘If’ EMERGENCY or work ‘on call’ is required, answer/response is to be made OUTSIDE of play area.  NOTE: During USATT/ITTF ‘sanctioned’ tournaments, a ringing cell phone is an ‘AUTOMATIC’ RED CARD (includes NON participants).

O - COACHING

‘Private’ lessons for individuals or small groups are available ‘OFF SITE’ with USATT ‘Certified’ Coaches with separate/additional fees.

P - ROBOT

Robot use (when time/space allows) is in ten minute segments. The user must clean/wipe and return all balls to the receptacle while practicing and when finished. The robot is to be used only with the assistance of a KNOWLEDGEABLE member. Note: Non‑ALVaTTc members will be allowed to use the robot for a fee of $3.00 per night. The limit for use is three (3) twelve minute periods ‘per night’ and supervision is required at all times.

Suggestions for changes or improvements to be considered at the semi-annual ALVaTTc committee meetings, must be e-mailed to: alvattc@alvattc.org to the attention of Katrina Katz.  Any situations arising which are not addressed above, will be resolved in fairness and the spirit of friendship.

Revised 5/29/2009