A ball return mechanism for use with a table tennis table for returning a ball to a player. The table tennis table includes a net, a first side and a second side located on opposite sides of the net. The ball return mechanism includes a first return line including a net end and a terminal end. The net end is mounted to the net at a first joint and the terminal end is located proximate a first end edge of the first side. A first guide mechanism holds the first return line in position away from a playing area of the table tennis table.