Highland Lakes Pickleball

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Pickleball, Pickleball...

Pickleball, Pickleball, what a funny name!
What do you do for this fast pace game?
We set up nets in the arena each day
Use paddles, whiffleballs and four people to play.
Endurance, quick reaction time are put to the test
Rotate partners, no time to rest
The competition is great, the fun begins
Eleven points are needed in order to win.

Women's, Men's, Mixed and Beginner doubles are played
For our Senior Olympics in four different days.

The dates of our Senior Olympics are:
Tuesday, March 17th - Men's Doubles at 8:30 am.
Thursday, March 19th - Women's Doubles at 8:30 am.
Tuesday, March 24th - Mixed Doubles at 8:30 am.
Thursday, March 26th - Beginner Doubles at 8:30 am.

Senior Olympic Barbecue will be at the picnic area near the Gazebo.
Friday, March 27th at 12:00 noon.

We're glad to see you back, Donzetta!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

A Thank You from Ron Eversole

I just wanted to thank you all for allowing me to join the Pickleball group at Highland Lakes last Thursday and Friday. I really enjoyed learning to play and am anxious to get back and try it some more - surely I will improve. You all - and many of the others - were so hospitable and welcoming! I appreciate being included. Thanks again for allowing me to get involved. It just makes me wish I could find a way to retire sooner.
Ron Eversole

Ron and his wife just bought a place on Cash Court and plans to be here at H.L. as much as possible. Ron, were all anxious for your return.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Welcome to our guest Kurt Rhodes from CT.

Get that ball, Kurt.

Hit the ball Kurt, hard and fast.

Look at that serve. Way to go, Diane.

Sue, I can't beleive, we beat the guys.
C'mon Kurt, I'll still give you a hug.

I'll get this one Dena.

Good sportsmanship here. It must have been one heck of a game.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Good turnout of players on our courts today.

Each day that we play Pickleball, we ask ouselves, how many courts do we set up today. Will it be one, two, three or four. Lately, we have had to set up four courts due to the greater number of players. Today, we had four courts set up with 5 to 6 people waiting to play. There were some great games going on. Our players are coming out to have fun and get some practice, especially with the Olympics starting on March 17.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Thank You and your Pickleball players for a fun time.

I received this message from Joe Fuller of Pembroke Fairways and thought I would share it with you.
We had one great time and again Thank You for having the Pembroke Pickleball players over last night. That was my first time playing indoors and for me it was just as much fun as playing outside.
Joe Fuller

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Welcome back, Muriel!

A hearty Welcome to Muriel for returning to the Picklball courts after a long absence.

Muriel is hitting that ball so hard, she left the paddle in the dust.

Look at that form.

Welcome back, George!

Joel, we don't kick the ball, we use the paddle.

All eyes are on Muriel's serve.

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