We describe pickleball as half way between tennis and ping pong. A combination of the two games. And it's a very social game with conversation and laughter. At least at the level we're playing. I've heard the more experienced players are competitive and take their game very seriously.
Pickleball is played on a court about half the size of a tennis court, with a net, with 2 or 4 players using hard paddles and a 3" hard plastic ball with holes. Like a whiffle ball. When you hit the ball it sounds like a bink, or a dink, or a plink. (Glad I don't live next to the courts.) The object of the game is to successfully hit the ball over the net without it being successfully returned by the opponents.
Hey! One thing pickleball and flyfishing have in common is that my pickleball paddle and my fly rod are both made of graphite! That's the only thing in common. And I like them both.
We've wanted to play pickleball for years. We knew we would like it, having played a little tennis, some racketball, a little badminton, and lots of ping pong. After all, a racket sport is a racket sport. Right?
We have about 10 pickleball courts here in our community, along with a number of tennis courts. And lots of other activities like shuffleboard, horseshoes, and bocce ball. By far pickleball is the most popular. Players start to arrive at the courts at 7:30 AM for round robin play and continue to use the courts throughout the day and into the evening. There are lessons on Mondays, ladies only lessons and play on Thursday afternoon, and couples sign-up each day. We can easily play game after game from 7:30 to noon, but they say come January it will be difficult to find an empty court. Reserving a court in advance will ensure you get on for an hour or so. Our high season here in Arizona is January through March so we are taking advantage of the uncrowded courts now. At least Rick is. I'm still benched with a torn muscle for another week or so.
We have a fun, active pickleball club here also. They party, potluck, and get together more than most other clubs. A few club members just returned from a road trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Maybe next year we'll take our motorhome and join them.
Something I've wondered, "Where did Pickleball get it's name?" I just found an explanation on the USAPA.org website that says the game's creator had a dog named Pickles that would steal the ball when they played so they named the game Pickleball. The game was created in the summer of 1965 by a couple of dads in Washington state as a means to entertain their bored children.
There's a national organization for pickleball and information can be found at USAPA.org. There's a short video that will give you a great look at a few games actually being played. People of all ages can play, but it can be a fast game requiring quick reflexes. We were warned that playing pickleball can be addictive. Yep, it is. I used to say that going fishing was the only activity that would get me out of bed on a cold, early morning. Now I have to add playing pickleball as a second reason to set the alarm clock.
We've wanted to play pickleball for years. We knew we would like it, having played a little tennis, some racketball, a little badminton, and lots of ping pong. After all, a racket sport is a racket sport. Right?
We have about 10 pickleball courts here in our community, along with a number of tennis courts. And lots of other activities like shuffleboard, horseshoes, and bocce ball. By far pickleball is the most popular. Players start to arrive at the courts at 7:30 AM for round robin play and continue to use the courts throughout the day and into the evening. There are lessons on Mondays, ladies only lessons and play on Thursday afternoon, and couples sign-up each day. We can easily play game after game from 7:30 to noon, but they say come January it will be difficult to find an empty court. Reserving a court in advance will ensure you get on for an hour or so. Our high season here in Arizona is January through March so we are taking advantage of the uncrowded courts now. At least Rick is. I'm still benched with a torn muscle for another week or so.
We have a fun, active pickleball club here also. They party, potluck, and get together more than most other clubs. A few club members just returned from a road trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Maybe next year we'll take our motorhome and join them.
Something I've wondered, "Where did Pickleball get it's name?" I just found an explanation on the USAPA.org website that says the game's creator had a dog named Pickles that would steal the ball when they played so they named the game Pickleball. The game was created in the summer of 1965 by a couple of dads in Washington state as a means to entertain their bored children.
There's a national organization for pickleball and information can be found at USAPA.org. There's a short video that will give you a great look at a few games actually being played. People of all ages can play, but it can be a fast game requiring quick reflexes. We were warned that playing pickleball can be addictive. Yep, it is. I used to say that going fishing was the only activity that would get me out of bed on a cold, early morning. Now I have to add playing pickleball as a second reason to set the alarm clock.
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