The net dividing the table in the game of ping pong is long overdue of some creative intervention.
I propose adding a continues flame to the top of the net. Here's how it's achieved:
A long segmented metal tube is stretched along the net's top edge. A rubber hose is located inside this tube, featuring
a line of perforations that connect to corresponding holes in the outer metal sleeve.
Flammable gas is fed through this tubing from a portable cylinder, which also has a smart controller to enable a number of variables to be applied to the supply.
At the start of the game, the gas being emitted along the top of the net is ignited.
This results in the generation of a low level flame spanning the complete width of the dividing net.
As the game progresses, this burning line can be increased in height and intensity, meaning that players must either adjust their game to clear it, or strike the ball through its flames.
Because the passage of the ball is so quick, there is little (but some) risk of it being distorted by the heat. The shimmering affect on the air means that players must modify their play accordingly.
The final affect sees colour variations introduced to the flame to make the entire game much more visually exciting for all.