Tag: pickleball

Quail Creek Pickleball Club Winter League

David Mungo The Quail Creek Pickleball Club (QCPC) Winter League season ended March 26 and was celebrated with food and drink at the Ramada. There were more than 140 players during the nine-week season. They played with spirit, sportsmanship, and skill! If you visited the courts any Sunday afternoon during the season, you saw 16 full courts…

Relishing Pickleball: The Overhead Smash

David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, it’s time now to learn about the overhead smash after learning about lobbing the past few months. Mary Littlewood says the overhead smash is the most aggressive, offensive shot in all of pickleball. It’s usually hit off the…

Fitness in the ’80s Pickleball Round Robin

Roxanne Housley Sixty-four enthusiastic pickleball players warmed up to “Footloose” and “Let’s Get Physical,” led by Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons, aka Laura and Steve McMurtry. Following the six-game round robin, players and nonplayers enjoyed an enchilada lunch. Prizes are always a highlight, especially this month with three lucky players winning private lessons with Sharon…

Relishing Pickleball: The Lob–Part 2

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…

Relishing Pickleball: Pickleball Hitting the Major Leagues

David Zapatka The Seattle Mariners hosted “Pickleball Night” on Sept. 10. Group tickets helped raise money for the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association. Valley resident and Seattle native, Riley Newman, threw out the first pitch for his hometown team. Riley grew up a Mariners fan, and this was a dream come true for him. Riley is…

Relishing Pickleball: The Real Pickleball Story

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…