In The News

Looking For New Sport? Pickleball Arrives Here (Sep 2, 2010 Ridgefield, CT, www.acorn-online.com) Starting Sept. 16, Founders Hall and Ridgefield Parks and Recreation will also each be holding their own 10-week pickleball program. Registration for each will cost $25 for Ridgefield residents and $30 for non-Ridgefield residents, and the programs will take place jointly on Thursdays from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. at the Ridgefield Recreation Center.

Go Pickleball-ing (Sep 1, 2010 Mumbai, India, www.dnaindia.com) Guess what the latest stress-buster that’s creating waves across the city is? It’s Pickleball — a popular game in the US — which is a hybrid of lawn tennis and badminton, with some elements of tennis as well.

Pickle Ball Becoming Popular In Woodbury (Sep 1, 2010 Woodbury, MN, www.piercecountyherald.com) From a distance, the scene appears to be just a grouping of people enjoying a game of tennis. However, move a little closer and you will notice that it is not tennis at all – this is pickleball and it is one of the newest and hottest sports on the nation’s recreational scene.

WHAT IS PICKLEBALL? (Sep 1, 2010 Aiken, SC, www.aikenstandard.com) On Sept. 18, there will be a demonstration and free instruction at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Beckners hope to see a lot of people from all walks of life come out and take interest in this sport. Campbell is excited about the new sport and hopes a lot of people come by.

Take A Swat At Pickleball On Morton's New Courts (Aug 24, 2010 Morton, IL, www.pjstar.com) The popularity of temporary pickleball courts on a basketball court in Birchwood Park and two tennis courts in Southwood Park convinced Park District Director of Parks and Recreation Gary Watson that something more permanent needed to be built.

Hybrid Sport Catching On At Woodstock Badminton Club (Aug 24, 2010 Woodstock, ON, www.oxfordreview.com) "All we had to do was lower our nets," Woodstock Badminton Club executive and local pickleball convener Eric Kendall said. Kitchener convener Jack Redmond brought four people to Woodstock to show them the game in June and "it took off from there," Kendall said.

Pickleball GV’s Hottest Sport - GVR Says Pickleball Interest Is Through The Roof (Aug 24, 2010 Green Valley, AZ, www.gvnews.com) It’s Pickleball, and it’s Green Valley’s fastest-growing sport, said GVR recreation manager Allison Brown. “Pickleball has definitely seen the biggest surge in attendance and participation,” Brown said. “Our courts at East Center are always busy.”

Pickleball Enthusiasts Wrap Up Tournament (Aug 21, 2010 The Villages, FL, www.thevillagesdailysun.com) Ask Bill Freeman about his love for the game of pickleball and he can sum it up in a few words. “Pickleball is an addictive sport,” he said with a laugh.

Fran And Barney Myer Win Phil Flash Award (Aug 20, 2010 Seattle, WA, ) The Phil Flash Award is given to the Northwest Senior Games (NWSG) athletes that are role models who positively influence others through their friendly support, encouragement, enthusiasm and motivation to lead healthier lives.

Racquet Sport Enthusiasts In A Pickle For Places To Play New Game (Aug 19, 2010 Ottawa, ON, www.emcottawawest.ca) It's easy and it's a lot of fun," said Jenny Segstro, who began playing the game in June with her husband, Wynand... After doing an Internet search to find out where they could gain access to the game in Ottawa, the couple found that the City of Ottawa was offering lessons at the Alexander Grove Park in Stittsville, and signed up.

Pickleball Games Bring Out Top Competitors (Aug 17, 2010 The Villages, FL, www.thevillagesdailysun.com) Pickleball players and enthusiasts throughout The Villages have a chance to catch some of the community’s top talent this week during the Pickleball Advisory Committee’s Advanced Round-Robin Tournament.

Serving Up A Little Pickle In North Attleboro (Aug 16, 2010 North Attleboro, MA, www.thesunchronicle.com) The sport has become notoriously popular in North Attleboro. Many of the soccer players and other students have nets and courts set up at their homes, and according to Caron, the kids are always playing either soccer or pickleball. "The whole town loves it," the younger Gimler said.

Pickleball's Roots Finally Impacting Durham Region (Aug 13, 2010 Oshawa, ON, newsdurhamregion.com) Pickleball was one of the highlights of competition at the Ontario Senior Games Actifest 2010 this week in Oshawa, with nearly 70 competitors from about a dozen different regions.

Racquet Sport Of Pickleball Gaining Popularity In Area (Aug 11, 2010 Rossford, OH, toledoblade.com) Despite the sport's odd name, the local pickleball players who go regularly to Glenwood Courts, 313 Glenwood Rd., in Rossford, can attest to its challenging nature, cardiovascular benefits, and addictive qualities.

Sport Is A Good Pickle To Be In (Aug 8, 2010 St. Cloud, MN, www.sctimes.com) Pickleball courts can be found in St. Cloud (Whitney Recreation Center), Waite Park (McKinley Park) and Avon, and the popularity of the sport continues to increase in the area.

Pickleball Is Picking Up In Dakota County (Aug 7, 2010 Rosemount, MN, www.startribune.com/) As the sport has grown in popularity, several cities in and around Dakota County have retrofitted some tennis courts so their seniors can take a whack at the game. Rosemount converted its court in June so that people could play tennis and pickleball.

Pickleball Tournament Includes More Than 80 Players From 12 States (Aug 5, 2010 Middletown, OH, www.middletownjournal.com) The Middletown Pickleball Club will host its third annual Pickleball tournament this weekend at Lefferson Park.

Little-known Pickleball Game Draws Folks To Ross Church Read More: Http://www.p (Aug 5, 2010 Pittsburgh, PA, www.post-gazette.com) A few years ago, someone told Rev. Metzger that the church "is the best kept secret in the North Hills," and he decided that pickleball might be just the vehicle to get the secret out. "Martin made the sign and put it up about three years ago," Rev. Metzger said, "and the whole neighborhood has been talking about it ever since."

Popularity Of Pickleball Leads Greece To Build Courts At English Road Park (Aug 4, 2010 Greece, NY, /www.democratandchronicle.com) As part of about $40,000 in improvements to the park, crews will convert two of the existing six tennis courts into pickleball courts.

Pickleball, Game Gaining Traction Locally, Is Especially Suitable For Boomers. (Aug 4, 2010 Huntington Beach, CA, www.ocregister.com) “I'd play until there is no light or there's nobody else to play with,” said Rebecca Katzen, 63, of Long Beach. “It's just like, ‘Anybody up for one more game, just one more game?' It's just fun.”

Pickleball Catching On (Aug 3, 2010 Skaneateles, NY, auburnpub.com) Today, pickleball is an ever-growing sport in the area with a league in Skaneateles, as well as Rochester, Cortland, Albany and Buffalo.

Pickleball Finally Hits Valley Fest (Aug 1, 2010 Russellville, AR, www.couriernews.com) What has become one of the Arkansas River Valley’s fastest growing sports, pickleball — a game described as a cross between tennis and badminton with a little bit of ping-pong thrown in — has reached 80 competitors in Russellville, enthusiast and tournament director Debra Patty said last week.

Senior Find Himself In A Pickle (Jul 30, 2010 Pocatello, ID, www.idahostatejournal.com) Pocatello’s George Brown is a trailblazer — at least as far as the sport of Pickleball is concerned. . . That’s where Brown, 66, comes in. His 25-year involvement with the sport has result in its inclusion in the Southeast Idaho Senior Games next Saturday at the Reed Gym Recreational Center.

Fresno Club Hosts Pickleball Tourney (Jul 29, 2010 Fresno, CA, www.fresnobee.com) Pickleball, an emerging recreation game nationally that's played with a paddle and plastic ball, breaks ground in Fresno County with a 48-player tournament Saturday at Sunnyside Health and Tennis Club.

Pickleball: It's A Hit In Harford (Jul 28, 2010 Harford, MD, www.exploreharford.com) Not only is pickleball easy to pick up and family-friendly, but it is good exercise, so much so that many schools nationwide have added it to their physical education programs. Even community recreation centers and camps are advocating the game. In Harford County, there are more places to play than ever.

Group Launching Muskegon Pickleball Club (Jul 26, 2010 Muskegon, MI, www.mlive.com) “It’s huge in the snowbird states,” said Thom Hornik, a Muskegon resident and fitness enthusiast who is organizing the club. “Pickleball is really catching on around here because it’s a good workout, it’s easier on the body than tennis or racquetball and it’s fun.”

Sweet Pickles (Jul 24, 2010 Belen, NM, www.news-bulletin.com) Helga Woerner had high hopes that when she brought pickleball, a paddle game similar to table tennis, to New Mexico from Florida about three years ago, it would take off, and that is just what the sport has done. Woerner's pickleball group, the "Belen Pepinos," has grown from seven members in 2009 to about 28, and Woerner said the group is finally ready to take on the Olympics for the first time.

Pickleball Great For Seniors (Jul 22, 2010 Marquette, MI, www.miningjournal.net) A recent demonstration at Lakeview Arena has drawn area residents to the sport, which is a hybrid of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. Now games are being played regularly at the arena.

Pickleball Can Be Addictive, Good Exercise (Jul 20, 2010 Orange County, CA, www.ocregister.com) Although people of any age can play the tennis-like game, it's easy to see why older people love it. The net is 34 inches high (a tennis net is 36 inches at the center and 42 inches at the posts), and the court is more compact. You get a great workout volleying with your partner, but you don't have to chase the ball all over the place and wear yourself out.

Pickleball Courts Coming Soon (Jul 16, 2010 Ogden, UT, www.standard.net) Local philanthropist John Gullo has helped speed up the construction of four pickleball courts at Mount Ogden Park. Gullo, who heads the American Dream Foundation, is paying about $57,000 to employ a firm to finish construction of the courts within two weeks at the park at 1787 Constitution Way. He plans to donate the completed courts to the city.

Pickleball A Recreational Hit With Families At Ross Township Church (Jul 15, 2010 Ross Township, PA, www.yournorthhills.com) After realizing the game's benefits as a recreational activity, the North Hills congregation decided to use it as an outreach and fellowship activity. "This game is just fun. It's fun to watch, fun to play," said Catherine Metzger, 53, of McCandless. "And anybody can play, regardless of skill level or age. I enjoy watching the inter-generation activity."

The Game Of Pickle-ball Grows On Swartz Creek Seniors (Jul 9, 2010 Swartz Creek, MI, www.mlive.com) Jan Barber, 67, of Swartz Creek introduced the community to the game after she played it with some friends in Florida. Barber said the game is “very popular” in the Sunshine State.

Pickleball A Mix Of Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis (Jul 5, 2010 Moorhead, MN, www.inforum.com) The game has a funny name, but Bill Krueger, a 75-year-old retiree from Moorhead, and his wife, Marion, are hooked. The active couple, who started to play pickleball in Palm Springs, Calif., a couple winters ago, are hoping to grow the sport in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Out Having A (pickle)ball (Jul 2, 2010 McMinnville, OR, www.newsregister.com) While the confines of the gym can be stifling and the exercises strenuous, a group of McMinnville adults have found the perfect way to exercise — while having more than a little fun in the process.

Pickleball Picks Up Fans (Jul 1, 2010 Traverse City, MI, record-eagle.com) "Pickleball is not just a senior game," Postma emphasized. "Many people think it is just for seniors, but that is not the case — it's a game for all ages. However, it is a great transition for those who no longer choose to play a strenuous game of tennis. In addition, men and women can play it together. So, it is a very social game.

Pickleball Combines Tennis, Badminton, Pingpong ... And Fun (Jun 28, 2010 Waterville, ME, www.onlinesentinel.com) The game, while developed more than 50 years ago, is relatively unknown in Maine, but wildly popular in places like Florida, Arizona and California -- and played by people of all ages, according to Mike Gallagher, an Oakland resident who spends winters in Florida and South Carolina. Gallagher, 70, is known as a pickleball "ambassador," volunteering to help spread enthusiasm for the game in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

Pickleball Serves Up Addicting Fun (Jun 27, 2010 Rochester, NY, www.democratandchronicle.com) Pickleball is gaining momentum in the Rochester area. A few years ago there were no courts, now there are more than 20. And local fans are hoping for more courts because they want a little more space to play.

Ogden Pal Picks Pickle(ball) To Pepper Parks (Jun 27, 2010 Ogden, UT, www.deseretnews.com) Retired businessman John Gullo is paying to have four pickleball courts built at city-owned Mount Ogden Park and is willing to donate money for training and other activities to see the sport become a smash hit.

Pickleball Gaining Popularity Among Elderly And Students Alike (Jun 27, 2010 Albany, NY, www.examiner.com) Pickleball is gaining momentum in local high schools and college sport programs. In New Paltz, students compete in a 3 week tournament every year, with over 300 participants. It has been taught in Rochester, NY for over 20 years. It is estimated that over 500 schools in New York currently have Pickleball as part of their gym classes.

Pickleball Grows In Popularity In Iowa City Area (Jun 26, 2010 Iowa City, IA, www.press-citizen.com) With the help of Stiers and the Johnson County/Iowa City Senior Center, the game has spread to locations throughout the county, with regular games at City Park and the Mercer Recreation Center in Iowa City and the North Liberty Recreation Center and Penn Meadows Tennis Court in North Liberty

Pickleball Is Gaining In Popularity (Jun 21, 2010 Bucks County, PA, www.phillyburbs.com) Now Shoemaker, a Philadelphia-based tennis instructor, and others, are trying to bring pickleball to Pennsylvania, hoping to establish designated courts at area parks. Their efforts are buoyed by Bucks and Montgomery county snowbirds who play the game down south.

Pickleball Courts, Fountain To Be Dedicated This Week (Jun 21, 2010 Fort Wayne, IN, www.news-sentinel.com) Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation is installing the city’s first permanent outdoor Pickleball courts, celebrating with a dedication event and free Sechler’s Pickles samples 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Lions Park, located at Carew Street and Hazlewood Avenue. Natalie Eggeman, public information officer for Parks and Recreation, said there will be free lessons for the increasingly popular sport, a partner game that is a mixture of badminton, tennis, and ping pong.

Pickleball Debuts In County (Jun 16, 2010 Chesterfield County, VA, www.chesterfieldobserver.com) When Dave and Linda Scott first played pickleball at a retirement community in Florida, they immediately fell in love with the low-impact, high-excitement game. Unfortunately, upon their return to Chesterfield, they found few local opportunities to play the sport. Enter Judy Jones, the director of senior activities for the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Department.

Members Of Fun Pickleball Group Not Afraid To Poke Fun At Themselves (Jun 10, 2010 The Villages, FL, www.thevillagesdailysun.com) “The people here don’t take themselves too seriously. They like a good game, but a lot of it is about camaraderie,” said Paula Parker, a founding member of the club. “I get exercise, but I also get a lot of laughs.”

Players Want To Be In A Pickle (Jun 9, 2010 Tucson, AZ, www.explorernews.com) Saturday's event in SaddleBrooke was intended to "show the sport to people who haven't played it," Berst said, and it drew more than 200 participants. "It was quite successful," she said Monday. "People saw how much fun it is." Among the participants Saturday were Golder Ranch Fire District firefighters who had not played before. "We showed them how easy it was to learn the game," Berst said. "The firemen, they picked it up. With one or two lessons, you can play a game without a problem."

Laugh If You Must, But Pickleball Is Serious Business For Local Ambassadors (Jun 9, 2010 Grand Rapids, MI, www.mlive.com) It's a funny word, yes, but it's no laughing matter for loads of players around the country. Just ask Grand Rapids residents John and Jeanne Schowalter, local pickleball ambassadors who will demonstrate the sport they picked up a few years ago in Surprise, Ariz.

Pickleball Is A Hit With West Valley Retirement Communities (Jun 7, 2010 Phoenix, AZ, www.azcentral.com) Many retirement centers now have more pickleball courts than tennis courts. One community in Florida boasts more than 100 courts. "Pickleball has just blossomed in senior communities," said Marty Cohen, president of the Sun City Grand Pickleball Club, which, depending on the time of year, has some 750 to 900 members. "And that's for a couple of reasons. One is that you don't have to be athletically gifted to play. It's easier to pick up than most other sports."

Pickleball Courts Coming To Mount Ogden Park In Ogden (Jun 7, 2010 Ogden, UT, www.standard.net) Pickleball, a fast-growing game that's a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, may be coming to Mount Ogden Park. John Gullo, who heads the American Dream Foundation, and his wife, Karen, are offering to pay more than $40,000 to construct four pickleball courts at the park at 1787 Constitution Way, which is near his home. The courts would be a valuable recreational asset to the city, said Perry Huffaker, the city's manager of public ways and parks.

One Pickle Of A Game (Jun 1, 2010 Carlsbad, CA, www.nbcsandiego.com) The City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a four-day California Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament starting Tuesday. The tournament will feature more than 200 players from across the region, competing in singles, doubles and mixed doubles for adults’ ages 50 and older. For those 19 and up, the tournament will include an open men and women’s double competition.

News 13’s Wendi Redman Tries Her Hand At Pickleball (Jun 1, 2010 Myrtle Beach, SC, www2.scnow.com) On Tuesday, June 1, 2010 News 13’s 10pm and 11pm anchor, Wendi Redman, participated in a Pickleball demonstration along with other local media personalities. The City of Myrtle Beach and Pepper Geddings Recreation Center hosted the demonstration. In honor of National Pickleball Week, the City of Myrtle Beach introduced the new court sport to local media.