Club Information - Sun City Anthem

MAKING A DIFFERENCEPickleballThe Fun Sport with the Funny NameWhen a clue on the TV game-show “Jeopardy” stumps allthree contestants, you are looking at a response that isesoteric, to say the least. And so it is not surprising thatwhen the correct answer was given — a cross betweentennis and ping pong, this sport was named for a dog, nota gherkin — it elicited silence instead of a correspondingquestion.But in March 2011, when emcee Alex Trebek announcedthe answer, pickleball, certain viewers in Sun City Anthemhad already gotten it right. That's because more than 90very active members of the SCA Pickleball Club here playon the sport's eight courts at Liberty Center.Pickleball is an organized activity with national andinternational governing bodies. Although it resemblestennis, key differences make pickleball more accessible toa wider range of players, including seniors. The speed ofthe pickleball ball — which is a three-inch diameterwaffle-like plastic ball with air holes — is one-third of theaverage speed of a tennis ball. The size of the court is alsoone-third of the area of a tennis court. To visualize thephysical dimensions of the game, imagine two tenniscourts at Liberty Center transformed into eight pickleballcourts.The smaller court area combined with the slower-movingball makes the pace of pickleball easier to play thantennis. The game is also not as strenuous on the body, asless running is required to cover the court.Players hit the polymer wiffle ball with a hard paddle overa net approximately six inches lower than that used intennis. The ball is served underhand and the return ofservice must be allowed to bounce by the server. Once youget the hang of it, the game is terrific fun and a vigorouscardio-vascular workout.The game has a history as colorful and quirky as itsname. Back in the day, before Nintendo Wii and othertechnologically-driven entertainment, people actuallyimprovised games to amuse themselves. So it happenedthat in 1965, a congressman from Washington state, JoelPritchard, and two friends created a game to entertaintheir kids. Using whatever gear was on hand — a badmintonnet, wiffle ball and some plywood — they cut paddlesfrom the plywood, hung the net and voila! — pickleballwas born. Right in Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard's backyard.Given the elapsed time since its origins, how the gameacquired its name is steeped in folklore. A popular versionis that the game was named after the family dog, Pickles.The wiffle ball was the dog's toy, and whenever there wasan errant shot, he would retrieve it and hide the ball.Ergo, it was Pickles' ball. That story persists, despitewritten accounts that Joan Pritchard told the press thatPickles didn't join the family until 1967.A shorter rendering of the story is that Joan Pritchardsaid the game reminded her of a rowing competition inwhich the slowest oarsmen were assigned to the “pickle–By Sherryl Dalyboat.” The USA Pickleball Association — which publishesthe Official Pickleball Handbook, sponsors tournamentsand ranks top players — cites the “Pickles the dog” versionon its website, USAPA.org.The game can be rigorous when played one-on-one but,according to Pickleball Club president Doug Kimball, “Weare currently only playing doubles, two on two, as singlesis rather difficult and demanding. Also, games arerelatively short because 11 points wins.”Drop-in play occurs during normal club hours, whichare Monday-Wednesday-Friday and weekend mornings7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and Tuesday-Thursday-Sundayevenings 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. During those times,players can simply show up to play. The winners of agame remain on the court, but split up to play with twonewcomers, thereby creating rotation of players. Thiscontinues throughout drop-in play time and gives everybodywho shows up, with or without a partner, theopportunity to participate and to pair up with manydifferent players.Even if you haven't handled a racket in decades andconsider yourself a couch potato, Doug says you'rewelcome to join the club. Free classes for residents arescheduled in response to demand. Express your interestby sending an email to Jack Silas,scapickleballclasses@earthlink.net. For those new to thegame, balls and paddles are available.Although the SCA Pickleball Club does hold annualtournaments, for the most part, Doug Kimball says, “SCApicklers just wanna have fun.” Club members get togetherevery third Thursday evening at the courts for a potluckof finger foods and have coffee at the courts the firstSaturday of every month, which is also during open play.Kimball urges you to come, bring a friend or neighbor,and join in the fun.Please check the SCA Pickleball Club's website,anthempickleball.com, for more information or emailDoug Kimball at dkimball16619@msn.com.May 2012 • Sun City Anthem 9