What Title to Give This Article?

Editor's Comment: Is this the real George Brewer who taught me back in 2005? Is he okay? He sounds like me? What title do I give this article? I remember a student giving me a mug that said "Old teachers don't die they just lose their class." Oh, "Old Pickleballers don't die they just lose their TOOT."

Old Pickeballers Don't Die They Just Lose Their "Toot" by George Brewer.

I don’t know if I’m finally catching up with how most Villagers play and enjoys Pickle ball or if I just got old. But, all of a sudden, I don’t give a “toot” about playing Pickle ball the way I used to. I have no interest in Tournament play. I promised Jesus if he’d let me live thru the last time I did League play I’d never do that again.

The Senior Games are O.K. for watching but Lord knows I’d never sign up and do that to myself again. Maybe it’s the “bump in the road” I hit that woke me up when I turned 70. Thank God all that testosterone I took with me to the courts back in the 1990’s is now at a controllable level and I no longer think of myself as a Pickle ball warrior.

I enjoy the fellowship of players I’ve known for years. I look forward to the daily banter, fussing at each other, name calling, finger pointing and one ups man ship with players that daily forgive each other over a cup of coffee as we brag about our grandchildren.

I still smile at hearing the early morning greetings given to each other in jest. “How did you get out?” “Did the “Home” forget to lock the back door again?” Or, “Do you dress yourself?”

I don’t play Pickle ball with these guys because of their skill level. I play with them for the experience, fun and camaraderie. Although I don’t want them to know it, I take no offense to their verbal assault, awful line calls or telling me (of all people) how to play the game.

I do, however, take a great deal of comfort in knowing The Villages does not allow these guys to bring guns on the court. After a long rally, I get a big laugh out of my opponent asking me, “What’s the score?” So they’ll know if they are winning or loosing, before they make up their mind if the ball is in or out.

I get a second wind by challenging an out call I really knew all along was properly made so I can get some rest during the debate. I accept they are going to do the same thing to me and I know all will be forgiven (probably because it is forgotten) by the time we fellowship later that morning.

It is a scientific proven fact that the game of Pickle ball improves the hearing of the older player. Many times my senior opponent will look me straight in the eye and admit that they didn’t see if the ball was in or out but without hesitation make an out call saying, “It sounded out” to me”.

Pickle ball is a game that matures along with you and doesn’t leave you behind like so many other sports. It’s a game that remains easy to play even as your level of health, energy, desire or competitive spirit changes. Right now my level is on “ENJOY” and I think the worse thing about pickle ball, is “wonderful”. Hot dang, I can hardly wait to get to be 80 years old knowing this game called Pickle ball has something waiting for me to discover and enjoy at every level I chose to play.

C U on D Courts…..George Brewer