Highland Lakes Pickleball

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Pickleball Collage 8-3-09

Monday, August 3, 2009

Monday night is always a fun night.

A great night for Pickleball. Visiting were Bob & Ruth Forger's grandsons, Cameron & Bryce. They came out to learn the game and boys being boys their limber bodies were all over the court. They played very well and of course they used some of Bob's short shots over the net. I think it's in the genes. We had a great time playing with them. We also had a new player this evening her name is Jan Groft. She found out that she loves the game and will be back for more instructions. She did very well for her first time playing. Visiting Joel & Dyan were Andy (Dyan's Son) & Christy (Daughter-in-law) with the grandchildren Brooke & Logan. Andy has graduated from a Beginner to Intermediate player, he was playing with the big guys tonight. Our Inter-Community play was in full force and from what I could see everyone was having a great time playing Pickleball.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Today was a special day for Highland Lakes & Legacy Pickleball Players.

It was wonderful to meet Richard & Donna Donald today. Richard and Donna are the USAPA Ambassadors from New Tampa, Fl. Donna is the person who featured Highland Lakes Pickleball on the USAPA Atlantic South Website. We had a great turnout of Highland Lakes & Legacy players who had the pleasure of meeting Richard & Donna. We were so glad to see Joe & Marie Falcon join us for this special event. Donna and I have been conversing via email for some time now and she showed an interest in meeting our group of players and since they were visiting at the Villages we invited them to come and meet Highland Lakes & Legacy Pickleball Players. She has been interested in how our Pickleball group is run and especially liked the fact that we have Inter-Community play for the summer months. This morning was a great morning for Pickleball. We had four nets going with players seated and waiting to play. We had some great games, lots of chatting, lots of pictures but most of all lots of FUN. To get a larger view of the pictures double click on the picture and use the back arrow to get back to the blog.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Our Regular Players are starting to trickle in...

A big Welcome to Russ who just came back from his vacation. We had the pleasure of meeting Dyan Zimmermans son Andy, this was his first time trying his hand at Pickleball. Andy is the one in the black & white outfit. Looking at these pictures, you can be the judge and decide if he liked this game. We also met Christy (Dyan & Joel's daughter-in-law), and best of all we met the granchildren Brooke is six years old and Logan is 2 years old. A reminder to all, if you want a large view of these pictures double click on the picture and it will appear larger on your screen. To get back to the Blog click the back arrow on the top of the tool bar.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tuesday morning is ussually our slow morning but not today. We had a total of ten players who were ready to challenge each other and also have some fun.

A little sweat is good for you, it gets rid of all the toxins in your body.

Frank & Reuben pairing up as partners.

These guys are being challenged by Reuben & Frank.

Candy & Reuben are ready to play.

The Dynamic Duo of Legacy.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Our 8th week of Inter-Community play.

We had a large crowd tonight playing Pickleball. A total of 20 players were out to have some fun. Some good scoring games were played not to mention the fun everyone was having just playing Pickleball with friends.

Welcome Back, Dick! We were glad to see Dick Mell back from his vacation up North.

At the far end of the picture is Trina, a first time player in our Arena.

Players waiting for their turn to play Pickleball.

Cal Blenis recuperating from knee surgery. He is doing very well and should be back playing Pickleball soon.

We were glad to see Richard Ekstrand back from up North. Welcome Back, Richard!

Manny helping Gerry Pasiak with his hat.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Pickleball at Highland Lakes is growing stronger everyday.

We need to Thank the Pickleball players from Legacy for keeping our courts alive with competitive play during the summer months. Tonight we had 6 players from Legacy and 4 players from Highland Lakes. We were glad to see Bob Miller back after a long absence. Welcome Back, Bob! We are sorry to hear that Cindi (staying alive) will not be playing Pickleball for awhile due to her ailing feet. We will miss her. Cal will be operated on for a partial knee replacement on Wednesday morning. We wish him well!

Monday, July 13, 2009

This is our sixth week of Inter-Community play.

I can't believe that we are nearly half way through the month of July. Tonight was our sixth week of hosting Inter-Community play. We had 3 nets set up with 9 players from Highland Lakes and 5 players from Legacy. There were some good games going but most of all everyone was having lots of fun playing Pickleball. Players from Highland Lakes were Manny & Marie, Marvin & Sue, Karl & Janet, Ed, Cindy & Anita. Players from Legacy were Sue, Nancy, Frank, Bob & Mark.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Highland Lakes Article is now ready to read.

Wanted to let all of you to know that the Highland Lakes Pickleball Article written by Donna Donald is now ready to be read on the USAPA Atlantic South website.
There is a link at the bottom of the blog that points to this website: www.south.usapa.org

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

This is a Proposed Rule Change

Note: these changes are proposed by the USAPA rules Committee. They have not been approved by the USAPA board. There is 30-day comment period beginning June 2, 2009.
Proposed change to Rule 4.B

Proposed Rule 4.B. The server must start the serve with both feet behind the baseline. At the time the ball is struck, at least one foot must be on the court surface or ground behind the baseline and the server's feet may not touch the court surface in an area outside the confines of the serving area. These confines lie behind the serving court baseline and on or between the imaginary lines extended from the court centerline and each sideline.

Existing Rule:
4.B. The server must keep both feet behind the baseline during the serve with at least one foot on the court surface or ground at the time the ball is struck. The serve must be made while the server’s feet are within the confines of the serving area. These confines lie behind the serving court baseline and on or between the imaginary lines extended from the court centerline and each sideline.

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