David Zapatka Many people believe pickleball was named after founder Joel Pritchard’s dog who was named Pickles. Not true! Joel Pritchard’s son, Frank, recently came clean about the real reason the sport was named pickleball. It was a hot July afternoon on Bainbridge Island, Wash., in 1965 and 13-year-old Frank Pritchard was bored. He whined…
Tag: pickleball
Sports, August 2022
Relishing Pickleball: The Lob
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, “The lob is a lofted shot hit off a bounce that can be either offensive or defensive in nature. The object of lobbing is to force your opponents, who are in a strong position at the non-volley line,…
Sports, July 2022
Relishing Pickleball: The Dink
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, “to properly execute a dink, stand just behind the non-volley zone line in a good ready position—well balanced, with your body weight over your feet and the knees slightly bent. Hold the paddle in front of your…
Sports, July 2022
Memorial Day Pickleball Social
Roxanne Housley Forty enthusiastic pickleball players joined in the Memorial Day Social for fun, camaraderie, abundant snacks, juice, and coffee. Sandi Hrovatin was on hand to sing the national anthem. She did a fabulous job, as we know it’s not the easiest song to sing. Bill Foraker provided the music, speakers, and microphones. He deserves…
Sports, May 2022
Relishing Pickleball: The Volley—Part 2
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, “Your entire demeanor at the net should be confident and strong. Let your attitude convey that you want the ball to come right at you because you’re willing and able to return it! Face the net with flexed…
Front Page, May 2022
The First Pickleball Member Tournament
Erika Lochow and Candace Plumlee One hundred four competitors, 41 volunteers giving over 300 collective hours, and dozens of spectators watching and cheering made this one-day initial event in Quail Creek a huge success. Erika Lochow was the event director. Shireen Kolarik and Bill Entwistle were the tournament directors. The setup for the event included…
Sports, April 2022
Windy but Fun
Wednesday’s Spring Training Round Robin Social brought out 64 hearty pickleball players who endured playing in the wind, along with several others who joined in the potluck. Bill Foraker provided baseball-themed music, along with a variety of genres. Madelyn Witt, who is on the Social Committee, transformed registration! Every player received a laminated card with…
Sports, April 2022
Relishing Pickleball
David Zapatka The Volley Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, “A volley is a shot hit in the air before the ball bounces. It is used as a return of a ball that travels close to the top of the net and that is usually hit…
Sports, March 2022
Relishing Pickleball: The Return of Serve
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, “the player returning the serve stands deep in or behind the service court, ready to return the ball. The returner should be alert and ready for the next play. As the serve travels over the net, the returner…
Sports, February 2022
Relishing Pickleball: USA Pickleball National Championships
David Zapatka The USA National Pickleball Championships were held for the third time at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., this past December. With 2,342 players competing in 3,944 matches in 172 brackets, it was the largest tournament in the history of pickleball. Over $70,000 in prize money was up for…