Highland Lakes Pickleball: Apr 24, 2012

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Highland Lakes Pickleball Outing 4-23-2012

Here it is nearly the end of April and we are finally having our Pickleball Picnic. We normally have it at the end of March and the weather is usually very nice and warm, but this year we had it nearly at the end of April and the weather was a little chilly. We had a sunny day but a little breezy, quite unusual for the end of April. We would like to Thank everyone who helped by bringing a dish to the picnic and those who helped by supplying food for the picnic. Thank You to Cal for helping us cook on the grill. Thank You Ruthanne for helping to orgagnize the tables and all of you who came by to help us set up and those who helped us put everything away. We had a great crowd with lots of good food and lots of fun with our friends. Thank You Irene for taking the pictures as you can see they came out great. It was nice to have Bob Cuenin with us this year because he's usually in Costa Rica at this time of the year. A big Welcome for Karen Orman who came by with her husband Bob to be with her friends and enjoy some of the food. It was so nice to see her there because she has been hospitalized for many weeks and we are all glad she is finally back home. A Welcome to Cindi's friend "Wayne" who was able to join us this year. It was nice to see Heidi, Ryan & Jason. Heidi is visiting her parents Cal & Irene Blenis with her two sons Ryan and Jason and we were glad they could join us at the picnic.

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

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Highland Lakes Pickleball Outing 4-23-2012

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