Highland Lakes Pickleball: USAPA Ambassador, New Tampa, Fl

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

USAPA Ambassador, New Tampa, Fl

I received this email from Donna Donald who is the USAPA Ambassador. She is interested in featuring our Pickleball Group on the USAPA website. I thought I would share this information with you and will inform you when this information is available as well as point you to the Website. (M&M)

I've been trying to feature a pickleball club/league each month with a snipet in our newsletter and then the full article on the USAPA Atlantic South website. The newsletter goes out to all USAPA Ambassadors on the 15th of each month who in turn forward it to their local clubs/leagues or groups. Many of them post it to their local websites or blogs. I'll make sure you are on copy.

Another thing that caught my attention, and that is such a great idea is how you've partnered up with some of the other local communities and rotate some weekly pickleball play with them. I am going to make mention of that in our newsletter this month.

I'm finishing up the June newsletter now, and then I will get back to you. I'll send along some questions for you to respond to. With that, a few pictures of the group/facility, and the information that you have on your website, we can showcase Pickleball at Higland Lakes.

Thanks.......
Donna Donald
USAPA Ambassador, New Tampa, Fl

PICKLEBALL CODE OF ETHICS

Every person involved in pickleball as a participant, official, volunteer, representative of the USAPA or spectator pledges as follows:
I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or encourage others to do so. I will not engage in any behavior that would endanger the health, safety or well being of others. I will not engage in the use of profanity. I will treat others with respect. I will exhibit fairness and honesty in my dealings with others. I will not flaunt my position. I will not use USAPA records or materials for personal gain. I will observe the Golden Rule of doing unto others as I would have them do unto me. The above Code applies in all situations that relate directly or indirectly to pickleball play.

About Pickleball

Whether you have terrible hand-eye coordination or are a racquet sport pro, you will have fun playing pickleball.If you are a novice: The net is set at 34", lower than tennis, and the paddles we play with are solid (composite, graphite, or wood). It is easier to hit the ball where you want it to go in pickleball. We play with a 3" plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball.If you play any sports: You can learn pickleball in less than 5 minutes and start having great rallies, good exercise, and a lot of fun.If you are a tennis player: Pickleball is faster and more fun than tennis. The rallies are longer than in tennis. It can even help your tennis game, especially at the net. The strokes are the same as tennis.

The History of Highland Lakes Pickleball Group

It has already been written about how Pickleball was invented by a U.S. Congressman from Oregon but nothing has been written how it started here at Highland Lakes.
It was introduced by George Hastings around 1993. He posted an ad in our small newsletter asking for people to come out and see what it was all about. As I recall myself and my wife Marie Falcon and Kathy Hart showed up. At that time we only had two courts with thin black lines that you could hardly see from the other end of the court. In time we were able to get better outline courts and were able to increase the courts to four. Through "word of mouth" and advertising we had full courts with as many as eight to ten people waiting to play. We devised a plan of "musical chairs" for people to move up in line to play. In time George Hastings moved back up north and others had to take up the banner of keeping Pickleball going. Our equipment at first was not great. Small thin poles to hold up a flimsy net. Through meetings with the Board of Directors and Reps of Tennis players (since they had an inside court) we were able to get the equipment that we have today. We can write about Pickleball but until you come out and see what it's all about and play it, you won't know just how much fun it is. Come on what are you waiting for?
Joe Falcon

Highland Lakes Pickleball

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

USAPA Ambassador, New Tampa, Fl

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