Missouri Valley / Missouri

2020 Missouri Smashers Tournaments

Jeff Kessinger | March 28, 2020


Young baseball and softball players start playing the game by hitting off a tee. Young basketball players shoot on goals that are less than 10 feet tall. And young soccer players start the game on a smaller field with smaller goals and a smaller ball than adults use. The same should be true for tennis.

 

That’s where Smashers tournaments come in. These USTA events allow children 10-and-younger to compete in a friendly game of tennis with modified equipment. That helps them develop their skills and grow their game, growing from beginners to advanced-level tennis players.

 

Smashers tournaments use red, orange and green tennis balls that bounce lower. They also don’t move as fast through the air and are easier to hit so children can more easily develop fundamental tennis skills. Participants also use kids tennis racquets, designed for smaller hands, and play on smaller courts.

 

Several Smashers tournaments will be hosted throughout the state of Missouri in 2020, all using orange and green balls:

 

July 18, Washington Park, Jefferson City

Sept. 13, Washington Park, Jefferson City

Oct. 10, Columbia College, Columbia

 

Participants in these Smashers earn stars and trophies. As players progress, they earn more stars and trophies, eventually becoming Yellow Ball players.


For more information, contact Courtney Nesbitt at courtneytime2grow@outlook.com, or 573-418-5481.

Skip Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

  • Visit the Coach Nate Connell page
    Coach Nate Connell
    September 24, 2026
    Nate Connell spent years balancing tennis with other careers. Now, at Cooper Tennis Complex, he's embracing coaching as the calling he always knew was there. Read More
  • Visit the Mountain Grove Coach page
    Mountain Grove Coach
    September 18, 2026
    When Mountain Grove High School needed a tennis coach, Kim Darrah stepped up. What began as a way to coach her son became a 12-year journey in the sport. Read More
  • Visit the Araujo Finds His Groove page
    Araujo Finds His Groove
    September 04, 2026
    After years away from the court, Pablo Araujo rediscovered his love for tennis. Now, the Columbia coach is helping others improve while competing at a high level himself. Read More