Here is a great summary of the appeal and the basics of playing Pickleball. If you don’t already play, it might help you understand the new sport, or for avid players, it’s a nice, concise explanation for your friends.
Author: David Cook
PIckleUp 2019 is Underway!
2019 Inter-Club Bocce and Pickleball Tournaments
We are delighted to announce that we will be having reciprocal tournaments between the Village Bocce Club and the Villages Pickleball Club, just as we did last year. It was fun in 2018 and this year should be even better.
The 1st tournament between the two clubs will be on Saturday, August 17th from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the bocce courts. Refreshments will be provided. Players for the Bocce tournament can register on the club’s website, www.villagesbocceclub.com.
The free pickleball tournament will be on Sunday, August 25, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. This will be a very casual tournament, and you can play as many games as you want. Refreshments will be provided. If you want to play in that event, please register online at www.villagespickleball.org or sign up at the tennis shack.
If you’re new to bocce, you can attend the Bocce Bashes on Fridays at 3pm at the Bocce Courts.
If you are a new or inexperienced pickleball player, you have several opportunities to learn the game from a Pickleball Club instructor: Half-hour lessons are available to all Villagers every Wednesday and Friday at 1:00 on Courts 5 and 6. No registration is required.
Paddles and balls are provided at all pickleball sessions. Please wear non-marking court shoes. Observers are welcome.
Pickleball Club gets Honorable Mention!
Pickleball was well represented at The Villages July 4th parade this year. The Pickleball Club had a decorated golf cart driven by Julie Walias, with Anahid Gregg as the Statue of Liberty, that received Honorable Mention by spectators. There was also an entry of Pickleball fans that included Mike Walias and Mark Gregg playing pickleball while walking the entire route!
USA Pickleball Ambassadors Visit
Pickleball ambassadors are volunteers who have pledged to promote the sport of pickleball and the USA Pickleball Association. On Tuesday, July 2, our local USAPA ambassadors, Mike and Princess Leong, were invited to the SIR 114 luncheon at the Clubhouse. Mike and Princess gave an informative talk about pickleball and the benefits of playing, followed by a demonstration on the courts.Spectators were encouraged to join in and play.The Leongs are very supportive of our plans for dedicated courts, acknowledging this would make pickleball atThe Villages accessible to more players. They listed some of the many benefits:attracting new residents, increased club membership, building new friendships and supporting healthy living. A big thank you to the SIR organization for helping to promote pickleball here in The Villages!
Join Pickleball Ambassadors – July 2nd
USA Pickleball ambassadors to speak at SIR 114 luncheon
On Tuesday, July 2, Mike and Princess Leong will be speakers at the SIR 114 luncheon in the Fairway Room at the Clubhouse. They are a team of ambassadors for the USA Pickleball Association. They promote the sport of pickleball and help start new places to play.
In April of 2017, the couple ventured out to Canoas Park on Princess’ birthday to “just observe” a new sport that Mike had discovered called pickleball. They were warmly greeted by the players who were present and were invited in. A gentleman offered two of his paddles for Mike and Princess to try out. After 10 minutes of playing, they were hooked. Since then, they both have been playing regularly in the Bay Area and in venues around California. They have competed in several tournaments in California as well as in Utah and Arizona, winning their share of medals in singles and mixed doubles.
Guests are invited to attend and should come to the Clubhouse around 12:30 p.m. After this presentation the Leongs will give us a demonstration on tennis courts 5 and 6, so bring your court shoes and participate.
Pickle Up! Training in July
Pickle Up!
It is time for our second annual Pickle Up! It will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 16 – August 1, 6-8PM on tennis courts #5 and #6.
Joe Spada is organizing this comprehensive six session introduction to pickleball. This is a fabulous opportunity to learn about pickleball, practice what you learn and meet people to play with.
Session 1 – July 16: Introduction, Equipment, Serve and volley drills
Session 2 – July 18: Rules of the game, Serve and volley drills
Session 3 – July 23: Strokes Part 1, Play games
Session 4 – July 25: Strokes Part 2, Play games
Session 5 – July 30: Basic strategies, Play games
Session 6 – Aug 1: Mental game, Court Etiquette, Court scheduling, Resources, Play!
This is a FREE event! Sign up to reserve your spot.
Palo Alto One Step Closer to Permanent Pickleball Courts
video: https://abc7news.com/5277174/
PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) — No pickles are needed to play the game of Pickleball. The sport is considered the fastest growing, across the U.S. All it takes is a paddle, whiffle ball and a net.
“They do say it’s tennis, badminton and ping pong,” Monica Engel Williams said. Williams is the Palo Alto Pickleball Club President. On Monday, she showed what it takes to prepare for a match at Mitchell Park.
Blue lines across a dual-use court currently dictate where makeshift pickleball courts begin, and where permanent tennis courts stand.
“Right now, we have nets that we have to take out of the bag, put the nets up, take them down, put them away,” Williams described.
She explained these are tasks that can be a tall order for some seniors, and simply extra work for others. “In two years, we figured we had lifted seven-tons of nets, because they’re like 23 pounds each,” Williams said.
Pickleball enthusiasts in Palo Alto have spent about 2.5-years pushing for permanent courts at the park. Tennis players have pushed back.
However, the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission recently backed a plan- a compromise to accommodate all athletes. Palo Alto’s Director of Community Services, Kristen O’Kane told ABC7 News, “We scaled it back.” She said initially, there was talk about turning the dual use court into permanent Pickleball courts.
“We’re just converting the one tennis court to pickleball, and then building two new courts,” O’Kane said.
If approved by Palo Alto City Council, the one tennis court should fit four designated pickleball courts, equipped with permanent nets and all.
The hope is to help build a better Bay Area for a population dominating the game.
“It fosters a sense of community, especially for the senior population,” O’Kane explained. “Some of whom may not have interaction with anyone else during the day.”
The move for permanent courts would mean less time prepping, and more time playing pickleball.
Councilmembers are expected to decide May 20th. If approved, construction should begin in August, with completion in October.
How to Score (in Pickleball)
Thank You, Sherry and Robyn!
What could be more fun than getting 40 pickle ball players out on a sunny day for a team tournament?!!! We really enjoyed setting up the play. It started with a very competitive captain’s draft featuring Mike Walias, Mark Greg, Alex Shtarker, and Norm Krishna. Congratulations to Mike’s team (yellow) coming in 1st and Alex’s team coming in 2nd … good competitive games from everyone.
Special thanks to Frank Houghton, our A #1 court manager, and his crew who taped the courts for play. And, to Sandy Mausling who handled check-in. And, to Dennis Cullen, our master scorekeeper. And, to Robyn for a great job with the courtside refreshments. And, to David Cook who set up our registration and sent out countless emails. You are all the best!
Can I say that pickle ball players are the friendliest group? We enjoyed meeting new members and they felt warmly received by all. Can’t wait until the next tournament!
Sherry & Robyn