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 Archive for 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, May 2022
Southwest Regional Pickleball Championship
Jerry Strom (Cottonwood, Sun Lakes) and Kim Stevenson (Indianapolis) captured the Gold medal on March 27, in the 4.0, 50-54-year-old Division at the Southwest Regional Pickleball Championships held at Bell Bank Legends Park in Queen Creek.
Sports, May 2022
IronOaks East Valley Interclub League Finale
Rhonda Stanford IronOaks pickleball players just completed the 2022 season with the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL). Five teams from our community competed in the East Valley Interclub League (EVIL), which is made up of players from clubs or communities 50-plus years in age, with skill levels ranging from 2.5 up to 4.0. The APPL…
Sports, May 2022
CWPV Pickleball Club Donation
Susan Ori The CWPV Pickleball Club got an early start on Christmas giving at the Norris Invitational Tournament in March. The silent auction and 50/50 raffle generated more than $2,000 in donations by players, members, and fans. Jean Jones of the CWPV Recreation Department was presented the $1,500 check for the 12 Days of Christmas…
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, April 2022
2022 NIT Pickleball Tournament
With beautiful weather, standing-room-only crowds, wonderful vendors, great players, hard-fought matches, and selfless volunteers, the 2022 Norris Invitational Tournament (NIT), sponsored by the Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood, exceeded all expectations. This year’s Norris Invitational Tournament included 88 teams, 140 participants, and over 50 volunteers. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America! Ask any of…
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
Cottonwood Pickleball Club
Susan Ori Sun Lakes Cottonwood Pickleball Club has just completed another successful year of collecting food and personal items for the underprivileged students of Hamilton High. Two vehicles packed with supplies were delivered in mid-December. What a generous club and community we are a part of, and a big thank you to all who participated.