9/08/2008

Grandma found her game!

Michigan PICKEBALL courts boast physical education teachers, lifelong coaches, pros and long time competitors in tennis, racquetball, and badminton. These players have strategy! And a backhand! I, on the other hand, never played sports. That all changed the day Greenie gently told me, "it would help if you watch the ball" -- Grandma found her game!

And so did 250+ Michiganders! Pat Sullivan, Dick Manesseri and many many others cooperated in tilling the soil. PICKLEBALL games, ladders leagues, and tournaments began sprouting up! Pickleball indoors and outdoors, pickleball for seniors and younger friends, pickleball for recreational players and the toughest competitors, pickleball on weekdays and weekends!!!

The three enemies of Tai Chi are lack of persistence, greed, and hurry. Those are also the enemies of pickleball. I began to practice "Chi Pickleball"! Pat taught me to dink, "Mo" taught me to reduce my "unforced errors", and Lewis taught me -- well a lot! But he is still working on teaching me a backhand...This self disclosure is a little risky to post for my opponents to read just before this Saturday's Auburn Hills Outdoor Tournament. But this blog, like my favorite pickle is deli-fresh and a little crunchy.

Blogging is all new to me. I don't know an upload from a download, so I'm thinking one of you in the pickleball community would enjoy teaching me this game - or, better yet, beating me at it! Let's communicate about how we can continue to "grow" pickleball in Michigan!

The excitement we've seen is the last 12 months is only the beginning! Next Michiganders are going to stop asking, "What's PICKLEBALL?" And start asking, "Where can I play PICKLEBALL!?!"

Post comments...and let me know what is your favorite pickle?!?

14 comments:

Joylynn said...

I have tried pickleball and now know the thrill of the game! And the sore muscles:)

9/09/2008
Janet Razz said...

Joylynn! Thank you! You are the first to comment and give me the opportunity to learn how blog comments work. Seems to fit with your role as an educator/mentor for non-traditional students. I'll keep you posted on plans for a Lapeer Demo Clinic. Get your game advantage at the USAPA.org Training Room and ice those sore muscles. xox mom

9/09/2008
Dawn Ulmer's Writings said...

Yay for you and your new venture. Looks good! Communicates pickles. Makes us want to eat AND play Pickleball!

9/09/2008
Janet Razz said...

Dawn! Pickleball, like most new ventures, has highlighted new relationships. Tonight I played mixed doubles with the Kzoo Pickleball Ambassador. How fun to think the world is a little friendlier and more neighborly because four people are united by the love of a game. USAPA lists the places to play in your area -- just in case you want to experience how sweet pickleball reallly is! xox Janet

9/09/2008
Anonymous said...

What a beautiful page Jan. Reminds me of Hudson's bags! GO GIRL!!! Love, Marge

9/09/2008
Janet Razz said...

Marge! I do remember the Hudson's bags! You are right - green circles! The meta message of my green circles is: I want to 'test drive' dark green pickleballs! The pickleballs are white, orange, or yellow. All colors that blend into the wood floors of indoor courts - making it difficult to see the ball. Now the idea is out there on the www. Maybe some bright young entrepreneur will take the challenge of the 'ground stroke' and make it happen! Shopping with sisters is good. Lunching with sisters is better. Playing pickleball with sisters is best! xox Janet

9/10/2008
John in NC said...

I have heard the testimonials and viewed the online videos. This looks like THE game for our babyboomer generation. Thanks, Janet, for spreading the word with this wonderful blog.

9/10/2008
Janet Razz said...

Janet Razz said...
John! Yes! Pickleball is THE game for babyboomers and our younger friends! Since pickleball is more about placement than power - it makes a great inter-generational game! 2008 brought a beautiful crop of PICKLEBALL firsts -- including this Saturday's 1st MI Pickleball Tourney that includes an 18-49 year old age group. The Great Lakes Pickleball Ambassador is doing a pickleball demo clinic at the Fall MI Association for Health Physical Education, Recreation & Dance in Grand Rapids. The MAHPERD has reserved a ballroom. The dance floor will be taped off as a pickleball court. The sessions will hopefully a result in the teachers/leaders in the MI physical education community taking pickleball home to their students...MI is also interested in 'growing' picklball on the universtity level! Maybe a Michigan - Michigan State play off!?! Or Michigan - Ohio!?! Thanks for posting and your faithful love and support! xox Janet

9/10/2008
Anonymous said...

Go Grandma! Great blog! It certainly entices a body to pickle-up and not be dill about it. Is is any body's bread and butter? Is it kosher to snack on pickles between games? :)

9/10/2008
Janet Razz said...

Dear Anonymous! Certainly is kosher to snack on pickles between games. In fact, MI Pickleball tourney managers have been known to award kosher pickles to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. That proves pickleball players aren't in it for the prize $$$ :). Pickleball - 'just for the fun of it!' Thanks for posting!

9/10/2008
Georgem said...

Thanks for geting this up Janet

9/12/2008
Anonymous said...

Janet...cool blog!...it entised me to explore further!...made me smile! and it looks fun and doable for young and more mature! Do you think I could use this as and activity for work? I am the HealthPlus rep for my department and am permitted to request a small stipin on their behalf...I would like to introduce a new activity...
What I would like to present to them is a one day thing to introduce them to the game with opportunity venture in further if they are interested...would a one day class be a possibility? Who would teach? Time required? What do you wear? Where would it be located? Cost? How many people could participate at a time in a lession/game? Lots of questions! xo Shirley Ann

9/13/2008
Shirley Ann said...

...Oh and my favorite pickles are bread and butter chips and the sweet baby gerkins too...yummy!
Shirley Ann

9/13/2008
Janet Razz said...

Shirley Ann! Thank you for your energetic response! It's true - you are getting younger everyday! Happy Birthday!!! Thank you for your willingness to consider hosting a clinic! WOW! Clinics are like the 'sweet baby gerkins' of the pickleball events! Very doable! Very FUN! We will talk/plan soon! We will play/enjoy sooner :)! USAPA.org is the 'go to' site for a everything pickleball! xox

9/15/2008

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