Bay Area Blasters
American table tennis team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bay Area Blasters are a professional table tennis franchise based in the San Francisco Bay Area that competes in Major League Table Tennis (MLTT). Established in 2023 as one of the league's original eight teams, the Blasters compete in the West Division. The roster features four-time Olympian Lily Zhang and 2024–25 Season 2 co-MVP Taehyun Kim.[1]
| |
| Sport | Table tennis |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| League | Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) |
| Division | West Division |
| Based in | San Francisco Bay Area, California |
| Arena | Alameda County Fairgrounds (Pleasanton, CA) |
| Colors | Navy, Red, White |
| Head coach | Timothy Wang |
| Website | www |
History
Founding and Season 1 (2023–24)
The Bay Area Blasters were founded in 2023 for the inaugural season of MLTT. In their first season, the Blasters finished the regular season with a 12–10 record, placing first in the West Division.[2] The team's entry into the San Francisco market was covered by local media as part of a broader expansion of professional table tennis in the United States.[3]
Season 2 (2024–25)
Coached by Tim Wang, the Blasters finished the regular season with a 10–8 record, securing second place in the West Division. In the 2024–25 postseason, the team finished third overall after defeating the Carolina Gold Rush in the bronze medal match.[4]
Season 3 (2025–26)
The Blasters hosted the opening matches of Season 3 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in September 2025.[5] As of February 2026, the team held the third seed in the West Division following a series of matches in Pleasanton, California.[6]
Team Identity
The Bay Area Blasters utilize a branding theme centered on "explosive power" and "West Coast flair."[7] The team's primary colors are **navy**, **maroon red**, and **white**, with official apparel often featuring dynamic gradient graphics and "Blast off!" slogans.[8] The franchise uses the marketing tagline "Play Loud. Play Fast." to describe its competitive style and atmosphere.[7]
Season Records
| Season | W–L | Points | Division Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 (Season 1) | 12–10 | 237 | 1st, West | Postseason qualifier |
| 2024–25 (Season 2) | 10–8 | 198 | 2nd, West | 3rd place |
| 2025–26 (Season 3) | 8–7* | 159* | West Division | In progress |
*Current standings as of March 2026.
Roster
The roster includes international professionals and American players. The team competes in the MLTT format consisting of singles, doubles, and the Golden Game.
| Player | Nationality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lily Zhang |  United States | Four-time Olympian (2012, 2016, 2020, 2024); reached the Round of 16 in Paris.[9] |
| Ma Jinbao | United States | Former member of the Chinese National Team; Week 8 Player of the Week.[2] |
| Elsayed Lashin |  Egypt | Three-time Olympian for Egypt (2000, 2008, 2012).[10] |
| Taehyun Kim |  South Korea | Season 2 Co-MVP; winner of the Feb 2026 Westchester Open Singles.[11] |
| Baek Kwang-Il | South Korea | Former professional in European leagues.[6] |
| Senura Silva |  Sri Lanka | Sri Lankan international; re-joined the team as a free agent in 2025.[12] |
| Yan Cheng Huang |  Taiwan | International professional. |
| Ge Chi |  China | Professional competitor. |
| Chen Sun | China | Season 3 draft pick; regular competitor in WTT events.[13] |
Ownership and Staff
Head Coach: Tim Wang
Tim Wang is a two-time U.S. Olympian (2012, 2016) and a three-time U.S. National Champion in men's singles (2010, 2012, 2013).[14] He was appointed head coach prior to the start of Season 2.