October 2018

OUTDOORS
Pickleball?
Really?
by Harry Heisler
So, here’s the question? What is Pickleball? The newly
burgeoning sport was invented in 1965, by three fathers
in the state of Washington; Washington representative Joel
Pritchard, his two friends and neighbors, William “Bill” Bell
and Barney McCallum, as a fun game for their children. Now,
with more than 2.5 million players, 15,000 indoor and outdoor
courts, and at least one location in all 50 states, along with
international tournaments, the game is fast becoming the best
newest racquet sport … again. I say again because in 1976
Tennis Magazine called it America’s newest racquet sport.
As for the origin of the name, there are a few stories, but the
real name came from Joan Pritchard, Joel’s wife, who was a
competitive rower. The name is derived from the Pickle Boat,
Michael and
Daniella Niss
in action on
the court.
which had a crew made up of leftovers from all the other boats
and since Pickleball is made up of parts of other sports … you
get the point.
The sport itself is a combination of tennis, table tennis,
racquetball, and badminton. It uses a paddle that is the
shape of a table tennis paddle on steroids, the ball is a slightly
oversized whiffle ball, and is played on a court the same size
as a badminton doubles court. The rules have been taken
from Badminton and are still in effect today. The game can
be played with two or four participants and has three levels of
play; beginners, experienced, and competitive, with skill levels
ranging from 2.0 to 5.0, thereby giving everyone a chance to
play within their limits. Without question, the biggest change to
the game came during the first year when the net height was
lowered from that of Badminton to 34 inches in the middle.
Michael and Daniella Niss are Parkland residents who, at
the urging of her sister, took up the game about three years
Michael and Daniella Niss are the Block Niss Monsters. Submitted photos
ago. Since then, they have become quite accomplished
and are rated among the best players, having won medals
in tournaments everywhere. They are so good, in fact, that
they acquired the nickname, “The Block Niss Monsters” for
their ability to block shots at the net. They obviously have
a great passion for the game and encourage everyone to
come out and try the sport they so love. What once was a
game for those without the physical stamina to play tennis
or racquetball, it has become fast-paced and extremely
competitive throughout the world. Yet, with all that, there
is more than ample room for those just wishing to get
good exercise,
while enjoying a
Taylor Niss
during a
pickleball
game.
good sport and
companionship
with fellow players.
Michael, Daniella,
and Taylor, their
daughter (and a
sponsored player)
will be playing in
The Delray Beach
Pickleball Classic
Tournament, which
runs from November 29 through December 2. If you are
interested in playing, go to pickleballtournaments.com. This is
one time when it will be perfectly fine for you to find yourself “in
a pickle.” P
Local parks to play Pickleball
1) Coconut Creek: Coconut Creek Com. Center,
1100 Lyons Rd., 33063, 954-757-1910
2) Parkland: Terramar Park, 6575 NW 75th Dr.,
33076, 954-545-6670
3) Boca Raton: Sugar Sand Park,
300 S. Military Trail, 33486, 561-997-0791
4) Delray Beach: Delray Beach Tennis Center,
201 W. Atlantic Ave., 33444, 561-243-7360
58
OCTOBER 2018