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YMCA Pickleball: It's a very big "dill"
By Pookie DeCocq
Special to the Daily Mail
I truly love my job at the Osage Prairie YMCA, as there is never a dull moment. A couple months ago, my boss, Jeff Snyder, handed me a letter we had received from "Pat," who was interested in coming to our Y to teach us to play pickleball.
She claimed she was a "pickleball ambassador," and it was her job to promote the sport of pickleball, as much as possible. Jeff asked me if I would like to handle the letter and I jumped on the opportunity.
I knew we had some pickleball equipment that Dr. Wood had donated to us years prior to the receipt of that letter, but we hadn't a clue how to use it. I had heard it had been used once or twice over the years, but that never happened when I was around.
In her letter, Pat described pickleball as a great sport for all ages, played with portable nets and a hard paddle, approximately three times the size of a ping-pong paddle. Having been an avid fan of racquetball for 33 years now, my curiosity was piqued when I looked online and read that pickleball is a combination of ping pong, tennis, racquetball and badminton.
It can be played by all ages and can be a competitive sport, or can simply be played as a leisure activity.
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. There are now more than 2,000 locations on the United States of America Pickleball Association's Places to Play map.
The spread of the sport is attributed to its popularity within physical education classes, YMCA facilities, churches and retirement communities across the country.
So, Pat traveled to Nevada from Columbia, Mo., to share her love of pickleball with about 22 curious locals. We set up two nets, marked the lines with floor tape and the fun began.
For more than three hours, we began to learn the rules, talk about strategies, laugh, exercise, socialize, and truly play pickleball.
When it became obvious to Pat that I was thoroughly enjoying this new activity, she suggested I consider becoming an ambassador for the sport, as well. I chuckled and told her I would consider it, but after playing the game just one time, I really didn't feel as though I was very qualified for the position.
She indicated that there was no one else in the area offering it, yet, and I would stand a great chance of being elected. I went home and looked up the USAPA on the Web.
I was impressed!
That evening, Gary, Jessica, and I also became members of the USAPA to help support the growth of the sport and also, to be eligible to participate in sanctioned tournaments, should we ever desire.
I learned that pickleball has been around since 1965. It began on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Wash.
Three fathers -- Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum -- are credited with creating the game of pickleball, after their kids were "bored" with their usual summertime activities. Their property included an old badminton court, so they took some old ping-pong paddles and a wiffle ball, lowered the net down to 36 inches and began to volley the ball, once they found that it bounced well on the court's asphalt surface.
Soon, the men created the rules, relying heavily on badminton, keeping in mind the original purpose, which was to provide a game the whole family could play together.
Pickleball has a very interesting name, especially since no pickles are used. One account as to where the name originated is that the game was officially named after the Prichards' dog, Pickles, who would chase the ball and run off with it.
One morning, while working at the Welcome Center at the Y, Nancy Ross came in telling me she had just returned from my home state of Florida and learned a terrific new sport that she wished we could offer at the Y. When the word "pickleball" came out of her mouth, I took it as a sign that I should probably pursue this venture.
Not to mention the delight from Dr. Wood when he learned that we were going to try this sport out! Doc explained that he had played the sport some 30 years ago and loved it.
Nancy feels strongly that a Senior League is what is needed.
So, while our family was in Branson, for spring break, I decided to check out a location that plays three times a week. Gary, Jessica, her friend, Christina, and I all joined in the fun that week, playing on their six indoor courts.
We were graciously welcomed to join them as I picked Ambassador Chuck's brain about whether I should pursue this in Nevada and what it would entail. He offered a lot of great advice and encouragement.
I went online that very evening and applied to become a Pickleball Ambassador. Within a few days, I received a call from Skip, who is the District Ambassador of the Show Me District, in Missouri.
He was thrilled to have someone from the Nevada area, as there has not been growth in the sport in this area, as of yet!
He recommended me after our conversation and shortly thereafter, I received a letter from the USAPA, acknowledging my appointment to the position.
My job as ambassador is to promote pickleball, by teaching others to play and trying to establish more areas in which to play, just as Pat did for us.
Thankfully, I have a very supportive boss, who has encouraged me to run with this.
On a recent weekend, we played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We had four courts set up, which accommodated 16 players at a time.
The four courts were filled, the majority of the time, with players waiting to rotate in, once games were complete. All ages attended, from about 8 on up to 70 and older.
Everyone seems to thoroughly enjoy playing. Some are more competitive, while others are just joining in for the social and recreation of the game.
Regardless, everyone was laughing, learning, moving and loving hearing the "pop" of the wiffleball on the paddles.
We are going to begin playing on a regular basis and are considering a seniors' day. A couple of people who have played are seriously considering starting pickleball at their churches.
For more information, visit USAPA.org, email pdecocq@osageprairiey.org, or call 417-667-1261.