It was the summer of 1965 when three families were vacationing outside of Seattle on Bainbridge Island. It seems some boredom had set in, and the dads decided to take a badminton net, some ping-pong paddles and a wiffle ball for the kids to play a game … of sorts. The rules were seat of the pants, and the set up was crude at best. Fast forward to present day.
Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the country and, yes, you do actually dink in the kitchen. You also can do an Ernie, an ATP or simply drive the ball into your opponent’s chest (hopefully by mistake), which can leave the dimples of the wiffle ball for days to come. It’s OK. My wound is healing.
The game may have been conceived in the Puget Sound area, but it took root first in Arizona and southern Florida followed by California. Why Florida and Arizona first? The aging population, a demographic I happen to share, has been wearing out body parts for decades. Tennis and racquetball require too much court for the former and really good knees and hips for the latter. A pickleball court is roughly half the size of a tennis court, and more than 90% of games played are doubles. This, of course, means we have less chance of breaking something.
Another major benefit of the game is the social aspect. Playing doubles means that four people get out on the court together. Places such as Heardmont Park, which has four courts, often have 15-25 people playing. Good conversation ensues.
Five years ago, it was hard to find a pickleball court in the greater Birmingham area. Not so any longer. Most area municipalities have heard the call and responded. The city of Hoover, which is rarely last in such things, finally opened its first outdoor courts at Simmons Middle School just last month. They wisely converted two of the existing tennis courts into six pickleball courts. This saved a bunch of money, and the courts are already attracting enthusiasts of all levels. The courts are even lit for night play.
As I mentioned earlier, at least half the attraction of the game is the social side. I played at the Finley Center in Hoover and at Heardmont Park on U.S. Highway 119 during COVID. I met dozens and dozens of new people in 2021/2022 who were tired of being locked down. I assure you that you can play the game and not transmit the disease. We kept our distance. My wife plays with a large group of ladies a couple of times a week. They get great exercise while having fun and building relationships. A good friend of mine who lost his wife to cancer met his future wife on the pickleball court. Can I get an amen?
So, it’s a Baby Boomer game, right? Hardly. Show up at any public court, particularly in the evening or on weekends, and you will see young teens and septuagenarians not only at the same venue but actually playing each other. Let me tell you, I derive intense pleasure when my 68-year-old partner and I lambaste a couple of 20-somethings.
How long does it take to learn golf or become competent at tennis? Years, right? Most people, especially those who have played a racquet sport previously, can get a handle on the game in an hour. I teach beginner lessons at my church and see this all the time. My estimate is that 80% to 90% of those who try it keep playing. That is why the sport had 4.8 million players in 2021 and 8.9 million in 2022.
How do you jump into this craze? Just show up! It is an incredibly friendly group of people you usually will find at public courts. We were all beginners at one time and almost everyone is willing to help you get started. Once you learn the basics of the game, you will find a group of people at your level and the fun begins. Public courts around town are free. A decent paddle is about $70. (Don’t go spend $200 thinking it will make you a better player. It won’t.) Pickleballs cost less than $2 each and, unlike tennis balls, they last a long time. The web has tons of free tutorials.
The 1965 founders wanted a game a family could play. They achieved that goal and more. Our whole family plays, which makes for great fun. I plan to teach my 1-year-old granddaughter as soon as she can hold a paddle. Perhaps a future college scholarship?
I don’t have enough space here to go into detail on the kitchen, dinking and what an Ernie is. You will pick up most of the rules and lingo the first time you play. Here’s the best part: It is fabulous exercise and you’re having so much fun you never think of it as such. Does your treadmill do that for you?
Let the dinking begin.
Randy Adamy is a veteran of the hospitality business and owned O’Henry’s Coffee for over twenty years before selling it in 2019. He and his wife Mary have lived in Hoover for 26 years.
English (US)