Throwing up and missing the ball

My question comes up in playing at our senior center. After throwing the ball up off the palm the paddle misses the ball. Is this a loss of point? 

We have one player that states the ball must be struck before it is in play.

Thank you for your time and patience. 

Art Rentz 

Hi Art,

The rule is that the ball is started when the ball is thrown up.  So if you throw the ball up and miss it completely it is definitely a fault and the other persons point.