Atlantic South Region

Tampa Bay Senior Games 2008

2008-10-12T08:48:00.014-04:00

Competitors in The Tampa Bay Senior Games

Slide Show of the Tampa Bay Senior Games - 2008

Thanks to Donna Donald for the Pictures

The Page With The Complete List of Club, Local, and State Tournaments

2008-10-04T11:09:00.008-04:00

One of the suggestions made by a member of our regional planning committee was to have a page that listed all the tournaments through out The Atlantic South Region. To follow up on this excellent suggestion, I am creating a separate section on our blog to just list tournaments in The Atlantic South Region. You will be able to check all tournaments at Pickleball Tournaments in The Atlantic South Region.

To keep this page up-to-date and accurate, I need your help. If your club is holding a tournament, let me know the details. Please tell me about inaccurate information posted here and I will correct it immediately.

Contact Wayne Roswell at rwroswell@gmail.com.

This page is not intended to replace the Tournament Link on the USAPA website but to supplement it. To look for all tournaments go to Tournament Schedule and get the complete list of national tournaments.

Questions and Answers by George Brewer

2008-10-01T15:08:00.005-04:00

George Answers a Lot of Frequently asked Questions on Pickleball

I receive a lot of inquiries from Villages residents wanting to discuss the “Rules of Pickleball.” Usually they have one of those “gray zone questions” our local rules haven’t fully defined. When I am not sure of the rule, I enjoy doing research to find an “official” answer. Here are some of the questions I received recently that I thought were different and more interesting than the usual inquiries.

Question: Sometimes, just after hitting a ground stroke, I realize that the ball has actually landed outside of the court. If I’ve already returned the ball, is it too late to call a fault?

Answer: No, but the amount of time you have to declare the ball “out” is limited. Here’s the rule” All “out” calls must be made instantly. Instantly is defined as call “out” prior to the ball being hit by your opponent or before the ball has gone out of play.

Question: Sometimes players waiting to play on the sidelines make calls that cast doubt on what players on the courts have declared. Should their input be considered?

Answer: No – in fact, never. Players who offer unsolicited opinions while waiting from the sidelines are one of the reasons that The Villages won’t allow you to bring guns on the courts while you’re playing. Spectators may be prejudiced, unqualified, and certainly are not in position to see the call.

Question: My opponent was serving to me when my partner declared the server foot-faulted because both feet whereon/over the baseline when they served the ball. Can my partner or I call a foot fault on our opponent?

Answer: No. Only the partner of their server or the server can call foot faults that take place at the time of serve. You have every right to suggest that a fault may have occurred, but you or your partner cannot declare a fault.

Question: My opponent hit a ball that landed in my non-volley zone (NVZ). I ran into the NVZ and returned the ball after it bounced. Before I could exit the NVZ the ball came right back at me. I jumped into the air, returned the ball and both of my feet landed back in my court outside the NVZ. They say I faulted: I say I didn’t. Who is right?

Answer: They are right. You’re faulted. Volleys can be initiated only when the player has both feet positioned outside the NVZ.

Question: If I miss the ball while attempting to serve, do I get another try?

Answer: Missing the ball is a fault, so you don’t get another chance. ? There is no penalty if you let the ball drop to the ground or catch it in the air without attempting to hit the ball, but if you “whiff” the ball, you lose your serve.

Question: What options do I have if I am served the ball before I am ready?

Answer: If you’re about to receive the serve and you’re not ready, raise your hand or paddle to signal the server not to serve. If the serve is made anyhow, you must make no attempt to return the ball. Any attempt to return the ball implies that you were ready, and like it or not, the ball is in play.

Let me remind you of something important. As soon as the ball comes over the net into your court, you become the referee. You are responsible for all officiating on your side of the net and your opponent has every right to believe you are rules-oriented and will make calls with integrity.

I HOPE I C U on D Courts.....George Brewer

Meet Your New Interim RA for the ASR

2008-09-27T12:40:00.011-04:00

All ambassadors received an e-mail from Earl Hill last week announcing the name of the interim regional ambassador for the Atlantic South Region and the names of the members of our Enhanced Regional Revitalization Committee. I am sharing that with all readers.

I am your Interim Regional Ambassador. My name is Wayne Roswell and I have been the ambassador for Sebring, Florida and the blog master for this site. I would like to tell you how many national, state, and local championships I have won but I would have to lie. I am a recreational player that enjoys the game for exercise, socialization, and most important fun. I guess my real contribution to the game has been promoting pickleball both in Florida and in Ontario, Canada.

I accepted the position of Regional Ambassador of the Atlantic South Region on an interim basis because I felt we could not move forward with our regional planning committee without an RA to liaison with Earl Hill and the board of the USAPA. I have asked Earl to continue to look for someone to fill the position full time but this way he can take his time. If there is anyone out there, or if you know anyone who is interest in being the full time RA, please let Earl Hill or me know. In the mean time, I will work with the Enhanced Revitalization Committee to continue to grow this great sport in Atlantic South Region. I really see all the members of the PC as regional ambassadors. Each and every one of them have the credentials to be our RA.

I would like to introduce the members of your Enhanced Regional Revitalization committee and the regions they represent. They are

Jack Beck Sarasosta -Venice Florida
Donna and Rich Donald New Tampa, Florida
Richard (Greenie) Greenfield The Villages, Florida
Al Rosati The Villages, Florida
Wayne Roswell Sebring, Florida
John Simpson Charolotte, North Carolina

Earl Hill and the USAPA came up with the idea of the Enhanced Revitalization Plan to give regions more local autonomy to develop their own plans for their region. They require that we have a committee of 5 -7 members and that we focus on the following areas; publicity, membership, a regional tournament of usapa members, and a website. We have a commitment to grow our usapa membership by 5% in 2009. They are suggesting that if the PC achieves these goals, they will be eligible to receive up to $500 from the USAPA.

The PC has started some brainstorming and idea sharing using Google groups. There are plenty of ideas coming forward. I will do my best to keep you informed via this website and e-mails. Any plans we make will need your support if they are to be successful. We know everyone is busy but if you could spare a little time to share ideas, help pass out flyers at a tournament, recruit one new member, do a demo at a nearby club, anything no matter how small, your efforts would be greatly appreciated . We are not asking anyone to take on a major leadership role but if you could share some of your ideas or help in any way please get in touch.

If you have any ideas you would like to share or if you would like to volunteer to assist our committee in any way no matter how small, please get in touch with me at rwroswell@gmail.com or your PC at asr-planning-committee-usapa@googlegroups.com.

To rephrase the Home Depot slogan, "We can do it. We need your help."

Thanks.
Wayne

Thanks Neal

2008-09-21T13:16:00.006-04:00

As you are all aware, Neal Nightgale took leave of his position as regional ambassador of the Atlantic South Region of the USAPA back in August. Neal e-mailed me and asked that his name and picture be removed from the regional blog. I have had a hard time doing that because I still see this as Neal’s blog. Although I did some simple things to make it happen, it was all Neal’s vision and because of that we are the first region to have our own blog and that has been acknowledged repeatedly by Earl Hill. Board Member of The USAPA. Earl has made establishing a website/blog one of the mandates of the new Enhanced Revitalization Plan.

Neal took over the job of regional ambassador from George Brewer and has worked his heart out for the region. I was involved in the start up of a new club at Tanglewood in Sebring, FL. Neal came over on three separate occasions to offer assistance with training for new members. It was a seventy-five mile drive one way from his home in Sun City Center. His lovely wife Mary accompanied him on two of those occasions so he would not be travelling on his own. Our club gained greatly from his assistance with new players.

Many of you have met Neal at local and state tournaments. He annually makes the trek to St George, Utah to participate in the Huntsman Games. At these games, he gets to meet many of the board members of the USAPA. It is this kind of effort that puts the Atlantic Region on the map. I am sure Neal will continue to do this as long as he can.

As the new plan for the region came along, Neal felt it was time for him to let someone else take over. He felt he did not have the energy to carry on. Neal, if I can get off the bench and walk on the court at seventy- nine, I will be happy. You have done your part for pickleball and should leave with no regrets.

I know you will be out there teaching pickleball somewhere. Thanks for all you have done for pickleball.

All the best to you and Mary from the Atlantic South Region

National Senior Games Championship Festival

2008-09-15T07:58:00.008-04:00

As you know this was the first year that pickleball was an official event in National Senior Championship Festival. This year they were held in Providence, Rhode Island

For a slide show of the activities click on the following link National Senior Games.

The exciting news for our region is that next year they will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida some time in early September.

Remember the Tampa Bay Games are fast approaching on October 8 with the deadline for applications on October 6.

For a complete list of upcoming tournaments click on USAPA Tournaments-Schedule

Labor Day Pickleball Jamboree

2008-09-10T09:19:00.012-04:00

Kings Point League, Sun City Center, Florida

Louann Dubendorf and the Kings Point Pickleball League hosted the Second Annual Labor Day Pickleball Jamboree in Sun City Center, Florida on Saturday September 6th. It’s hurricane season in Florida, so participants watched closely for days as Hanna’s path threatened their event, but the weather cooperated and gave the players a beautiful pickleball day!

This annual event brings pickleball players of all levels together for a day of social mix and mingles play. Upon arrival at the event, all players received their name tags, a goodie bag with pen and scorecards to track their games, along with snacks and bottled water…AND a helpful hint from Professor Pick L. Ball to "keep your eye the on the ball".

Everyone gathered at the event schedule posted at the courts to see what time they played and who they would be challenging. The name tags were a great idea in helping to locate your opponents. Participants included players from Kings Point, from Englewood, Florida, from Tanglewood, in Sebring, Florida and MeadowPoint players from Tampa and Wesley Chapel, Florida.

The whistle blew at 8:00 AM sharp to kick off the first mixed doubles partner challenge. A total of 53 players registered for the event, and teams rotated on and off the court every fifteen minutes until early afternoon to
complete 57 scheduled games. Leaving the court, each team was responsible for posting their total game points, so highest point winners could be determined. High Single Game Scoring Ribbons for the men went to Tom Nolan and Walter Kuehn of Sun City. Judy Goldberg and Jill Condon from Sebring, Florida took the honors for the women and Bill Sciortino and Connie Kehl of Sun City were the high scoring team in the Mixed Doubles. The “Most Thought About” Ribbon and a beautiful “thinking of you” card went to our dear friend Ellen Zelins, who for medical reasons could not attend.

Between games, participants found lunch available either poolside or at the Club House, visited or lunched with new found pickleball players, or checked out the new merchandise soon to be offered on Louann Dubendorf’s new website. She has designed some great new pickleball t-shirts, and had her Pickleball Bug T-shirt available at the event. Her website will offer a large array of Pickleball articles, including mugs, key chains, magnets and much much more. Please visit her site, and check in with Professor Pick L. Ball for your pickleball tips at http://www.thepickleballbug.com/ . More information on the Kings Point League and their events is available at http://www.gotpickleball.com/

For a complete slide show of the fun and activities click on Labor Day Jamboree, Kings Point Pickleball Club, 2008

Submitted by Donna and Rich Donald, Joint Ambassadors, New Tampa, FL.

Pickleball In The National Senior Championships - Providence Rhode Island

2008-09-07T08:16:00.006-04:00

Here is coverage of the first pickleball event of the National Senior Championships in Providence Rhode Island. The following article and video clip are taken from The Providence Journal website procujo.com

Senior Pickleball player at Bryant
September 5th, 2008

Four hundred athletes from around the county have gathered at Bryant University for the four-day National Senior Games Championship Festival. In addition to hockey, billards and weight lifting, the seniors are playing Pickleball. Pickleball started around 1960 and is the fastest growing sport for seniors in the country. It is played with a paddle and a whiffle ball similar to pingpong and tennis. Providence Journal video by Frieda Squires.

WHY AM I LOSING SO MANY GAMES?

2008-09-04T09:18:00.015-04:00

If you’re asking yourself the above question, then it’s time to ASK MO!

Richard Movsessian, aka “Mo” is a former 4.5 ranked Doubles Player and played on the 1996 USTA Florida State Championship 4.5 doubles Team. He later became a certified member of the United States Professional Tennis association, and gave private tennis lessons as a Teaching Professional. Today his Pickleball Techniques are a must for all pickleball players looking to improve their game.

Here is what Mo says are 10 ways to guarantee that you will LOSE more pickleball games than you WIN……..and when you read them, they will all make perfect sense.

1. FREQUENTLY miss your serve.

2. FREQUENTLY miss your return of serve.

3. HELP your opponents by keeping their OUT balls in play.

4. When your opponent hits a very difficult FAST shot at you, try and hit a low percentage sharp angled shot for a winner rather than a DEFENSIVE shot.

5. Take away your PARTNER’S easy forehand shots, with your weaker backhand shots.

6. Get upset with your Excellent Pickleball partner who has SUCCESSFULLY jumped in front of you to win the point!

7. Do NOT keep the ball at your opponents feet as much as possible.

8. Do NOT play up to the No Volley Zone.

9. Hit the ball TOO FAST for good placement, and do NOT give yourself enough leeway for error.

AND

10. Take TOO MANY sharp angle shots rather than high percentage shots down the middle of the court that bounces between your opponents.

FOR MORE HELPFUL TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR PICKLEBALL GAME, VISIT MO AT MoPickleball

Submitted by Donna and Rich Donald with permission of Richard Movsessian, aka “Mo”

A New Blog for Beginning Players, Coaches, Teachers, and Students

2008-08-31T19:55:00.009-04:00

I was often asked, when teaching lessons to new pickleball players at my club in Tanglewood last winter, "where can I go to learn more". I always referred new players to the USAPA website and the Training Room Link. Although the training room is an excellent source, I have put together a series of beginning pickleball sessions for use by beginner coaches, teachers, students and players of all ages who want to learn the basics of pickleball. I am not a "professional" player or coach. My goal is to have as many people as possible learn the game, play safely, and enjoy pickleball for the recreational activity it offers.

Using past experience in preparing eductional materials for web-based learning, I have tried to locate and research as many websites as possible and put them together in one spot. By creating links to websites such as the USAPA, beginning players and anyone teaching the game for the first time can click and learn more. My hope is that teachers will have students go online, read the material, and watch the videos before they go to the court.

I know that many learners are visual so have included as many pictures and videos as I could find. Newbies want to get playing quickly and do not want too much “chalk and talk”. Quick instruction and practice, then review and practice, are the key to successful lessons in pickleball, in my opinion.

If you are a new player of any age, a teacher or coach of beginning players, this is a site you should check out, Pickleball for Beginners and Coaches.

I would be happy to post the material of any pickleball coach and teacher who wishes to share their ideas with others. You may contact me at rwroswell@gmail.com

Group wants The Villages to have the most members in national pickleball association

2008-08-29T12:38:00.003-04:00

By CAROLINE KLAPPER, DAILY SUN, August 29, 2008

THE VILLAGES — Even Villagers who don’t play pickleball know how popular the sport is among residents here. But surprisingly, the community is not well represented in the USA Pickleball Association.The community of Surprise, Ariz., leads the nation in USAPA membership with 72 members, while The Villages trails behind in fourth place, with only 23 members.
That number could be much, much higher, said Village of Alhambra resident Mike Heinke.“With the hundreds of pickleball players that we have ... I think we could be recognized as number one in the USAPA,” he said.Although Heinke only has been playing pickleball for about three years, he and two other Villagers, Carol Ravotti and Charlie Spinks, have become USAPA ambassadors in The Villages. Their job is to promote pickleball in any way they can.“I’d never heard of the game when I moved to The Villages, and now, like everybody else, I’m addicted to it,” Heinke said.

Read the complete article in the Life Style Section of The Villages Daily Sun

I Tell You True I'm Big Time Sorry Ladies

2008-08-23T10:10:00.005-04:00

By George Brewer

She walked past me on her way to select a seat right up front and sat down waiting, alone, for the meeting to begin. There was nothing about this "little" lady that warned me of the impact she was about to make on me and I don't even know her name. It all started with one of those really good meetings The Villages Recreation Department sponsors for residents who want to learn more about Pickleball.

I sit in the back of the room at most of these meetings to support the Recreation spokesperson just in case they need help with Pickleball rules and any other questions. These well attended meetings are held inside the comfort of a brightly lighted room where newcomers are surrounded by others who know little or nothing about the game. The recreation director always makes those attending feel comfortable and before the meeting begins, new residents have a chance to look around the room to see if there is someone there they might have something in common with.

When the meeting began I noticed "she" slid forward on her chair to take in all that was about to be shared. Literature is passed out and discussed, the director shows an excellent video that VNN (Villages News Network) produced showing fellow Villagers playing and talking about Pickleball. Soon there was time for questions.

Her hand was one of the first raised but not immediately chosen. Standing at the back of the room I noticed her small, frail waving fingers at the end of a freshly tanned arm as she patiently waited to be chosen. Finally, it was her turn. What she said made me realize, to this day, that I have always been a deep thinker about things perfectly obvious to a more worldly person.
She said, "I've never played a game in my life. I always wanted to but back in my day they didn't offer sports for girls like they do today. Besides, when I went to high school back in the 50's, it was to find me a husband. I found me one and now 50 years later I'm ready to make up for what I missed and do me some playing. All I need is for someone to teach me how."

I'm a "he" and I've always taken sports for granted and it never had dawned on me someone, anyone, could never have "played". You see, back in my day, someone was always organizing some kind of "boy" activity and encouraging me to participate. Back then, I thought if girls were interested in sports they'd just get involved like I did. Since they didn't, I was comfortable believing girls just didn't like sports. How naive can you be?

Years later Title IX came and went right over my head. It was really disturbing to hear this woman's plea, for you see, I thought she was appealing directly to me to help her. She made me realize that there must have been hundreds of thousands of girls back in the 40's and 50's that had missed something in their "girlhood" that was always there for us boys. She never used the word "deprived" but it's the right word isn't it?

I tell you true, I'm big time sorry I didn't see how important sports were for all the "she's" out there who I could have, and should have encouraged to participate in something I have always treasured. I kid around about a lot of stuff in these monthly articles but not about this, I feel bad for being so self-centered.

So girls, if you're still willing to give it a try I'll make this pledge to you in writing:
"Every time The Villages has Pickleball lessons for beginners I'll try my very best to be there and seek out as many "she's" as possible and encourage those there that they belong on the courts and that it's not too late to start from scratch. It's not a gift I offer as an instructor, it's an installment payment, on a debt I owe, that is well past due."

I HOPE I C U on D Courts.....George Brewer

Pickleball Tournament for RV’ers in St. Clair, Michigan

2008-08-14T09:02:00.019-04:00

What goes together like pickles and ice cream? RVing and Pickleball.

Pickleball continues to be the sport of choice at Thousand Trails RV Preserves. While soaring gas prices deterred some travelers this summer, serious RV picklers from several states met at the St. Clair, Michigan Preserve for the Second Annual Pickleball Tournament. This is Carol Madden’s home park and where she successfully coordinated the first pickleball tournament for visiting RV’ers last year. She returned this year to work with Preserve Manager, Anne Boorman, to make this year’s event even more exciting!

Sixteen men and woman competed in the Singles Tournament on Saturday August 9th.

Front Row Winners: Charlotte Gonet (First Place), SallyMichalski(Second Place) and Carol Madden (Third Place).
Back Row: Barb Johnson (Awarded the Pickle Jar for having the most fun!!) Dennis Johnson (First Place), Bob Shirley (Second) and Stan Michalski,(Third).

On Sunday August 10th, Bob and Carol were winners in the Mixed Doubles competition with Charlotte and her partner Oland Durst taking second and Dennis and Barb Johnson finishing third. Recipients of the “Having the Most Fun” Pickle Jar in the mixed doubles were Cal Humphrey and Sis Rose. The Preserve Manager presented all winners with a framed Certificate along with their Ribbon. First place winners, deserving of the Gold, received Gold Pickle Pins. All participants received green pickle lapel pins and ICE CREAM !!!
Many of our readers will recognize Dennis, Barb, Stan, Sally and Bob as members of the Peace River Picklers – who represented the Peace River Thousand Trails Preserve in Wauchula, Florida in the First Heartland Senior Games in Florida last winter. We expect to see them back in Florida this winter, once again showcasing their pickleball skills in the Florida Sr. Games.

Joining the players in St. Clair was Jean Mulder, the local USAPA Ambassador from Holland, Michigan. Jean and her husband Garret are also avid RV’ers and we expect that they will be back in the Southeast Region this winter introducing pickleball to new players at the Torrey Oaks RV Resort in Bowling Green, Florida.

Submitted by:
Donna and Rich Donald
Joint Ambassadors, USAPA, New Tampa, FL.

Tennis Elbow..

2008-08-02T09:02:00.016-04:00

I'm telling ya folks, tennis elbow hurts like the toot..........
PICKLEBALL IN THE VILLAGES with George Brewer

I have a lot of Villagers suggest I use this column to write about specific subjects that are important to them. Tennis elbow is the most suggested but I have avoided that subject because I had never experienced the problem, done any research or understood the pain that accompanies this condition. Not anymore. I’m telling ya folks, tennis elbow hurts like the toot.

Read all of George's entertaining and informative article
Tennis Elbow hurts like a toot "Tennis Elbow"

Pickleball - Fall Senior Tournaments

2008-07-29T10:01:00.008-04:00

Start checking your calendar, as the fall season of senior games starts.

For the complete list check the following website: Florida Sports - Senior Games.

A partial list of upcoming events is posted here.

JACKSONVILLE SENIOR GA MES September 22-28, 2008Mary Ferrell117 West Duval Street, Suite 220Jacksonville, FL 32202904-630-2681E-Mail: mferrell@coj.net Click here for sports of the Jacksonville Senior Games

TAMPA BAY SENIOR GAMES October 6-17, 2008Paula Jory1101 E. River Cove Street Tampa, FL 33604813-903-2266E-mail: joryp@hillsboroughcounty.org Click here for sports of the Tampa Bay Senior Games

FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES

"The 17th Annual Florida Senior Games State Championships return to Lee County and the City of Cape Coral, December 6-14, 2008 with over 2,000 of Florida's finest senior athletes expected to compete." Click on the following link to find out the dates for pickleball, Tournament Schedule

USAPA Sanctioned Tournaments
Also, make sure you are checking two places on the USAPA Website. Under the TOURNAMENT section check the link SCHEDULE and also TOURNAMENT SOFTWARE. The tournament software link allows you to actually register for upcoming tournaments on line. For example, there is a link to The Idaho Senior Games Aug 23, 2008, that you can go into and register online.

Want to Play Pickleball?

2008-07-23T09:17:00.015-04:00

National Coverage for Pickleball

ABC's Good Morning America did a segment on pickleball on this morning's program, Wednesday, July23, 2008. Small local TV stations have covered the game in the recent past but I believe this is the first time national television has covered the sport.

The story stressed the growth in popularity in pickleball in the US. Reference was made to pickleball as "The Next American Pastime". Reporters also presented the fact that it was a game for all ages. A clip was shown of three generations in a family playing together.

This kind of publicity will make America's fastest growing game, grow even faster.

For those of you that did not catch Wednesday's segment of Good Morning America on "Pickleball, The Next American Pastime", click to play ( bear with the advertisement first). I think you will agree this is a real positive boost for our sport

Painting Pickleball Court Lines on a Tennis Court

2008-07-18T07:43:00.007-04:00

Painting Pickleball Court Lines

by Rich Donald
Ambassador, New Tampa, Florida

For those of us trying to find tennis courts and for those that have found courts to convert, here is a step-by-step diagram by Rich Donald to help you with the task. Rich shows the lines that need to be added and/or extended and provides a list of materials to do the task easily. Rich and Donna have been doing this for a while so they know what they are talking about

To see the complete diagram in proper size click Painting Pickleball Lines . You can print the document following Rich's instructions.

Thanks to Rich for sharing his work and making the task easier for the rest of us. If you have any other ideas, please get them to me so I can get them on this blog.

Another very good source of information can be found at USAPA - Tennis Court Conversion

2008-07-16T09:36:00.011-04:00

The Students Love Pickleball In Pickering Ontario, Canada

Thanks to David Cho-Chu

As I have visited pickleball centers in Ontario, Canada this summer, I have met several indviduals who are dedicated to the game of pickleball and its development North of the border. David Cho-Chu is one of those dedicated individuals. David is a former tennis coach who has brought all his skills from coaching tennis to coaching pickleball.

David has been involved in helping set up the program at the Malvern Recreation Center in Scarborough, Ontario. He has set up a program at his own East Shore Senior Center in Pickering, Ontario and is working with the Town of Ajax to do the same.

David has taken his dedication even further by introducing the game to a local elementary school. Snap Pickering, a local newspaper, was at the school to cover one of the teaching sessions Snap pickering 2008 July > Pickleball at Altona Forest PS...

Submitted by
Wayne Roswell
Ambassador USAPA, Sebring FL.

One Remarkable Player

2008-07-12T08:44:00.008-04:00

PICKLEBALL IN THE VILLAGES with George Brewer

Everyone knows when its 7:30 a.m. at the Chula Vista Pickleball Courts because that’s when one of the most amazing Pickleball players to ever play in The Villages arrives just about every morning. He moves cautiously from the parking lot and slowly walks along the sidewalk leading to the courts with his most precious possession on his arm. He holds the gate open with one hand as he guides the one with him onto the courts. He is met with a chorus of "good mornings" from the players already assembled there. His smile signals back to them how much he appreciates their greeting.

Read the story of Ken Cross will be 94 years old this Summer. "One Remarkable Player"

C U on D Courts……George Brewer

New Feature

2008-07-08T09:14:00.010-04:00

To save space, previous articles in our series "Coaches Corner" are posted to a separate section called "Coaches Corner".......... All the great articles are there for you to go back and reread.

Coaches Corner - Beginners - The Stars of the Future

2008-07-05T10:09:00.026-04:00

Beginners- "The Stars of the Future"

by Mary Littlewood

Mary has put together an excellent set of lessons for teaching beginners. She outlines in detail the steps to take to introduce the game of pickleball to new players. She has used her expertice in teaching tennis to put together "lesson plans" for five days.

She starts with getting players comfortable making contact with the ball, hitting it back and forth between players, and then as players feel comfortable playing a game. Some coaches throw players on the courts immediately and let them play and then correct their mistakes. Mary starts on the other had in small stages and does not put players on the court until she feels they are ready.

If you are coaching beginners, adults or youngsters, you should definitely take note of Mary's progressional teaching method. To get all the 5-Day lesson plans by Mary Littlewood, click on the following link, Beginners - Stars of the Future.

All articles by our excellent coaches have moved into a new section of our site called "Coaches Corner".

National Senior Games

2008-06-26T09:55:00.011-04:00

National Senior Games

For the first time ever, pickleball is an event in the National Senior Games. This event takes place in Providence, Rhode Island on September 4 – 7, 2008.

David and Nancy Jordan are overseeing the pickleball event with the assistance of Fran Myer and Barney Myer. For more information on the games, go to USGA - Pickleball.

Huntsman World Senior Games - Pickleball

2008-06-23T17:37:00.021-04:00

HUNTSMAN WORLD SENIOR GAMES

In recent years, Don Odle the Regional Ambassador for the West Region, has been in charge of running pickleball at the Huntsman Senior Games. It is through Don's great efforts and contributions that the pickleball event of these games has been such a great successs.

For more information on the Huntman World Senior Games and the Pickleball Venue click on to Huntsman Senior Games

All the details on Pickleball are found at Pickleball - Huntsman Senior Games

2008-06-11T09:10:00.001-04:00

What is becoming as Canadian as Hockey - Pickleball

2008-06-11T08:40:00.013-04:00

Players Love Pickleball in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

In case you missed it, this is an article from the USAPA website on pickleball in my home province of Ontario, Canada. Click on the following link.

Pickleball In The Greater Toronto Area Of Ontario, Canada (Jun 1, 2008 Toronto, ON, by Wayne Roswell, USAPA Ambassador)