Pickleball Players’ FAQs

Pickleball Players' FAQs

1. Where can I play Sunday?
2. Where can I play Monday?
3. Where can I play Tuesday?
4. Where can I play Wednesday?
5. Where can I play Thursday?
6. Where can I play Friday?
7. Where can I play Saturday?

Places to Play Michigan Pickleball:

• http://usapa.org/ptp/index.php?code=MI

Pickleball @ Rochester College

RCShield.com

Pickleball Tournament at RC

By Terrill Hall

Published: Saturday, February 27, 2010

If someone would have told me a few months ago that I'd love pickleball, I would have laughed in their faces. 

When I was a student, pickleball was one of the intramural sports that I hated every minute of playing!  The paddles were too heavy; I hated that I always was in the kitchen (the 7 ft line in front of the net), and that Matt Lamb (RC Alum, '05) was so good at it!

However, pickleball is back on the campus of RC and it's better than ever!

After hosting our first tournament which featured Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, President Shelly, Dr. Barton and many members of the community on Valentine's Day, I'm proud to welcome this easy and fun sport to our gymnasium on Sundays from 4:30 -7 p.m. 

This is a great time to learn a new game, meet new people from the community and get some exercise.  Come on down to the gym and see what it's all about.  And if you don't believe me, just ask Elliott Kern or any of the intramural refs about the fun that they had…

To learn more about this sport, visit www.usapa.org.

MI Pickleball Skills Clinics on the Calendar!

MI Pickleball Skills Clinics on the Calendar!

"Arizona Soft Game Workshop" presented by Jim and Yvonne Hackenberg

• Saturday, April 17 at Kalamazoo YMCA

Lewis Forrest Pickleball Skills Clinics

• Friday, March 5 at Central Ohio Senior Olympics
• Friday, June 4 at Auburn Hills Community Center
• Saturday, June 5 at Auburn Hills Community Center

Save-the-Dates! MI Pickleball Tournaments PLUS USAPA 2010 National

Upcoming Michigan Pickleball Tournaments

USAPA 2010 National Pickleball Tournament

2000th USA Pickleball Association Member is from Loveland, CO!

The 2000th USAPA Member is from Loveland, CO!

240 of today's 2005 USAPA Members are Michiganians!

Thank you for your participation and support!

USAPA Map of Places to Play

::::

March 1, 2010
USAPA E-Pickleball News
Submitted by Nancy Jordan, USAPA Membership Chair

USAPA Milestone: 2000th Member!

The USAPA was pleased to welcome our 2000th member in February. Larry and Pamela McGee joined at the same time, so they share our milestone membership recognition. Let's hear it for these new members!

USAPA 1998 Active & Smiling Members

USA Pickleball Association

1998 Active & Smiling Members

02/16/2010 at 7:33am

Will the 2000th Member be from Michigan?!?

BELONG to the largest Pickleball Community in the World

http://usapa.org/memberships/index.php

The Villages FL-MI Pickleball Party! A Big Success!

"The Villages FL-MI Pickleball Party was a big success! We had 30 people. They were from Saline to Traverse City. We were interviewed by The Villages paper and were videoed for their t.v. station. Everyone asked when the party will be next year. They thanked us for having the get together. I think this party will resonate back to MI and create more interest in pickleball in Michigan." USAPA Ambassador Tom Valentine of Pickleball Goodies

Updated Places to Play MI Pickleball! Clarkston!

UPDATED Places to Play MI Pickleball!
Clarkston! New Court Times!

50+ Pickleball on 2 courts at First Congregational Church of Clarkston, 5449 Clarkston Rd, Clarkston, MI 48348.

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 -11:30am ($3)
• Tuesday evenings 6:00-9:00pm* ($4)
• Fridays 9:00am-Noon ($4).

*Evening program is geared toward 50+, however, young adults are welcome to play.

CLICK HERE full list of Places to Play Pickleball!

MI Picklers Love FL

MI Picklers love FL! Players' eyes sparkle when they talk about vacationing in The Villages - Pickleball Paradise! The Villages Recreation Department generously presented its 1st Annual FL-MI Pickleball Party at the Truman Recreational Center, February 14. Jean Bays (former Michiganian) is a recreation assistant at Truman AND cousin to MI Ambassador Tom Valentine of Pickleball Goodies! Jean and Tom overflowed with excitement as they planned a Pickleball Party for The Villages residents - that are MI Snowbirds or used to call Michigan home. MI Picklers look forward to welcoming Tom back to Michigan AND hearing his stories about this crowd pleasing event. Hope to post pictures too! Certainly a Happy Valentine's Day for all the picklers that were lucky enough to attend!


USAPA Atlantic-South Regional Ambassador Donna Donald
reports on other players in the ASR Monthly News:

Laura Patterson
NC Ambassador/USAPA Board Secretary/former Michiganian
"I was scheduled to have a demo with about 10 Recreation Center Directors on Friday, February 5, 2010 but it had to be rescheduled for Friday, February 12, 2010 because of inclement weather. I believe this will be a very good venue for us to implement pickleball on a larger scale. The Recreation Centers already have the equipment but they just needed someone to help them implement the game. The Director that contacted me is on the committee for the Piedmont Senior Games, which will be held here in Winston-Salem in April and he would like for me to do a pickleball demonstration this year and then have pickleball as an event in next year’s games."

Gary Bejin - MI Ambassador Snowbirding in FL
"In addition to getting pickleball introduced at his snowbird community in Ft. Pierce, Gary continues to introduce pickleball on Florida's east coast. ' I am meeting tomorrow with the P&C directors in Vero Beach.I am sure that The Fenn center in Ft. Pierce is also very interested and are already talking about purchasing 3 nets & 12 paddles for play.... I am sure as time passes that both Vero Beach and the Fenn Center will be OK to add to the(places to play) list. I will keep you informed as to the the progress we make'"

Anita Marcus - MI Ambassador Snowbirding in FL
"Anita has worked with representatives of Colonial Oaks Park in Sarasota to purchase pickleball equipment and nets. 'Our program is starting the 22nd at the Colonial Oaks Parks in Sarasota. We are converting badminton nets for the time being and I think it will work. I am teaching a clinic during spring break for about 80 kids and could use some help on the 30th of March 10- 12. I am so happy this is happening. I am working with a great guy, David French at the Center.' We will surely find help for Anita from her fellow Florida Ambassadors."

MI Pickleball BuZz! Launched 2/10/2010

MI Pickleball BuZz! Launched February 10, 2010! Short and sweet MI Pickleball real time news to use. Follow* or bookmark the link for quick and easy access to information, announcements, and registration flyers. http://www.google.com/profiles/MIPickleball






*followers list unpublished

Rochester Pickleball Club Information Flyer

MI Pickleball BuZz!

Pickleball 4 ALL!

Rochester Pickleball Club (RPC)
Saturday Afternoon Drop-in Games at Adams High School

Expanding the number of courts and the court-times!

Tomorrow, Saturday FEB 13 ONLY the 1st session will begin at 2:00pm rather than at the usual 1:30pm start time. Here's the information flyer with the NO PLAY DATES listed.

•  http://usapa.org/file/mi/RPC_Drop-in_FEB-MAY_2010.pdf

Watch for more updates beginning March 20.

MI Pickleball BuZz! Real Time News to Use!

Dear Michigan Pickleball Players,

Google is rolling out a new communication tool, "Google Buzz".

I'm using Google Buzz to post MI Pickleball information/announcements/registration flyers etc.

"MI Pickleball BuZz!" Short and sweet MI Pickleball real time news to use.

You are invited to either 'follow' MI Pickleball BuZz (unpublished followers list) or bookmark the link for quick/easy access.

• http://www.google.com/profiles/MIPickleball

Yours in pickleball, Janet Razz

Rochester Pickleball Club

Rochester Pickleball Club

Saturdays

Adams High School Auxiliary Gym

NO PLAY DATES:

• February 20
• April 3
• April 10

Due to popular demand, the Rochester Pickleball Club (RPC), sponsored by Rochester Community Schools Enrichment, is expanding Saturday Drop-in play at Rochester Adams High School Auxiliary Gym to include 2 sessions on 4 courts:

• 1:30-3:00pm Beginner's Clinic and Novice/Intermediate Games
• 3:00-4:30pm Intermediate/Advanced Games.

Experienced players from the USAPA will be on hand each week, at the 1:30pm session, to provide beginner lessons. Teens aged 15+ may play without their parents with any picture ID. Equipment provided. Wear court shoes. COST: $5. per person drop-in fee or discounted Pickleball Punch Card.

Watch for the details of the RPC Summer 2010 Program which will include outdoor play, summer camps, ladder leagues and a USAPA sanctioned tournament for all ages.

BIG Snow

Snow Day!

Looking to Pickle?!?

• Auburn Hills Community Center OPEN
• OPC is closed today and will remain closed all day
• Sterling Heights is closed
• Others?!?

Pickleball Skill Definitions by Claude Eatherly

Skill Definitions
This is a brief outline of the skill definitions copied from the AZ Grand Pickleball Club ladder league page. For the detailed definitions go to http://grandpickleball.org/skill_levels.html

A Player: This player is able to control and place both the serve and return of serve. This player is able to place their volleys and block strong volleys at them at the No Volley Zone, or "Kitchen". This player has strong overheads and can place them. This player has excellent footwork and can move forward, backward and laterally with ease and quickness. This player can both "dink" and put away their shots. This player is consistent in their play and fully understands the strategy of the game and when to use specific shots.

B Player: This player knows the rules of Pickleball, match strategy and tactics. B players possess all shots; such as fore and backhand, lob, overhead smash and dink, and hit them with a high level of consistency.

C Player: This player knows most of the rules and how to keep score after losing track. This player will move to the net behind the return of serve. This player will not fault on more than 1/4 of their serves, or fail to return more than half of backhands or overheads. The C Player has not yet developed skill or consistency in the overhead smash or the drop shots from well behind the No Volley Zone, or "Kitchen". This player can maintain a "dink" exchange at the net.

N Player (Novice): This player knows how to keep score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. This player is learning where to be on the court during a point. All of their strokes are works in progress. This player should move to the net behind return of serve, and should place emphasis on keeping the ball in play.

Beginner or Newby: This player has had a lesson and is learning how to keep score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. Whether they have a racquet sports background or not, they are at the beginning stages of learning the game of pickleball.

Wanted! MSO Winter 2010 Player Snaps!

!!! Wanted !!!

!!! MSO Winter 2010 Player Snaps !!!

Please email your photos for posting to Janet Razz.

Atlantic South Ambassador joins USAPA Board

Atlantic South Region: Atlantic South Ambassador joins USAPA Board:
"Congratulaions to our very own Laura Patterson, Ambassador, Winston-Salem, North Carolina in her new role as Secretary on the USAPA Board of Directors."

Pickleball in the News: Port Huron Blue Water YMCA

"Cool as a cucumber
Pickleball provides fun, good workout for all ages

By JIM WHYMER
Times Herald
• February 4, 2010

Colleen Gilin enjoys swimming in the pool at the Blue Water YMCA and playing tennis at Wimbledon Racquet Club in St. Clair Shores. The St. Clair resident now has discovered a new form of recreation -- pickleball..."

Places to Play Pickleball - Port Huron Blue Water YMCA Details

Updated Place to Play MI Pickleball!

PICKLEBALL 4 ALL!

Updated Place to Play MI Pickleball
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Saturday Afternoons FEB-MAY 22, 2010
No Play Dates 2/20, 4/3, and 4/10

Due to popular demand, the Rochester Pickleball Club (RPC), sponsored by Rochester Community Schools Enrichment, is expanding Saturday Drop-in play at Rochester Adams High School Auxiliary Gym to include 2 sessions on 4 courts.

• 1:30-3:00pm Beginner's Clinic and Novice/Intermediate Games
  
• 3:00-4:30pm Intermediate/Advanced Games
  

Experienced players from the USAPA will be on hand each week, at the 1:30pm session, to provide beginner lessons.

Teens aged 15+ may play without their parents with any picture ID. Equipment provided. Wear court shoes.

Drop-in fee of $5 at the door or discounted RPC Pickleball Punch Card for purchase.

Watch for the details of the RPC Summer 2010 Program which will include outdoor play, summer camps, ladder leagues and a USAPA sanctioned tournament for all ages.

Pickleball!?! – http://www.usapa.org/ Try it – "just for the FUN of it!"

Pickleball @ Rochester College

NEW Place to Play MI Pickleball

!!! Pickleball @ Rochester College !!!

• Beginning February 14, 2010
• Sundays from 4:30pm to 7:00pm
• $3 @ the door OR $20. for 10 Punch Card
• Bring clean court shoes and a water bottle
• All equipment and informal beginner lessons provided
• All age adults welcome and youth welcome with parent/guardian
• Information flyer CLICK HERE

PICKLEBALL 4 ALL!

MSO Winter 2010 Results

Michigan Senior Olympic

2010 Winter Pickleball Games

Results by Brackets

Results by Age Division

Triple Medal Winner Hilda Weber (Rochester)

Warming – Up to Pickleball

To: MI Pickleball Players

From: A Michigan PE Instructor

"Warming – Up to Pickleball"

Simple methods to prepare your heart, your body, and your mind to PLAY !

Why?

When we were younger and more flexible, we could just jump into the activity.

Then we learned we should do a few stretches, take a few swings, and off we went into the game. However, fitness education teaches us to dynamically prepare the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, plus increase the heart rate prior to our activity. So follow a "dynamic" routine - - this means mimic the activity you are going to do BEFORE you actually start.

First, walk a few laps and increase your pace as you go; move those arms too!

Next, get on the stationary bike if available and ride for 5 minutes; move those arms, too !

Now, find some room in the gym nearby a pickleball court. Watch a player who is serving and "shadow "or mimic their every move: Do the serving motion as they do, step and bend your knees, follow through with your arm and legs. Move your feet and body to get into receiving position. Step and swing as you pretend to return the ball. Now, use quick steps to approach the imaginary net. Turn your body, step and swing. Reach for a high return. Lunge for a low hit. As the "watched player" returns back to serve, you do likewise! So, for 5 minutes of shadowing exercise, your heart, body and mind are truly prepared to PLAY.

Grab some water and hit the court!

Remember: after your activity, gentle stretching and a casual stroll will ease the soreness and help your heart recover, too!

Pickleball Sweeps Saline - Heritage Newspapers

Pickleball Sweeps Saline

February 2, 2010

By Jeremy Allen, Heritage Newspapers

"For members of the Saline Senior Center, Wednesday afternoon, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., is a weekly highlight. It's a time when the seniors, and 'seniors in training,' can strap up their kicks and hit the court for some ultra-competitive games of Pickleball.

If you've never heard of the sport, you're not in the dark, but it's a phenomenon that's quickly catching on, not only in the senior citizen community, but for all people wanting to participate in sporting activities.

'It was developed awhile back by a family with kids who wanted to play sports, but not everyone was athletic enough to play,' said Senior Center Executive Director Rina Chemin. 'That's what makes it perfect for us here at the senior center. Not everyone is athletic or agile, but it gives everyone the opportunity to take part in a sport.'

According to the sport's Web site, Pickleball was created during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle. This mini-tennis game is played by two or four people, in either a singles or doubles style, on a badminton-size court using wood paddle racquets and a plastic, poly baseball with holes. Pickleball can be played on any hard surface and is ideal for small spaces.

'It's spreading like wildfire..."

To read the full heritage.com article CLICK HERE .

Fitness for Pickleball by Barbara Wintroub

Fitness for Pickleball

Hi Pickleballers, let me introduce myself to you. My name is Barbara Wintroub. I'm an avid pickleball player from Santa Monica, CA and also a Pilates Therapist and Personal Fitness Trainer. For years I was a USTA tennis teaching pro. Now pickleball has become my sport of choice.

Fitness is a big part of playing any sport and playing well for a lifetime. To help all of us with some tips on getting and staying fit, I have started a Fitness for Pickleball section on the USAPA website http://usapa.org/news/index.php/fitness/. My intention is to show the importance of the recommended exercises for Pickleball improvement.

Some exercises will stretch, some will strengthen and some will stabilize. As with any fitness program, some will be easier, some will be more difficult. You need to decide what level is correct for your own conditioning. If you have any doubts about the impact of any of the exercises on you personally, please contact a medical professional to see if you should be doing the exercises.

To make these exercises as useful to our USAPA members as possible, I'd love to hear from you with any special needs you may have.

Remember: fitness is a lifetime activity.

OPC Membership Policy

OPC Membership Policy

• OPC Membership Qualifications

Residents
Residents from Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township who are over 50 years of age are eligible members.

Non-Residents
All non-residents must be 50 years of age to participate in any Health & Wellness programs. The non-resident fee to join is $175 for a single person and $225 for a married couple.

• Health & Wellness Fees

Land Payment Options
***Weight Room & Cardio Room Fee
Cost: $2.00 – The Cardio Room is available for all members. Membership cards are required. In order to use the Weight Rooms, you must complete a Weight Room Orientation for a one-time additional fee of $15 which can be paid for at the cashier’s desk upon the upper level.

***Gym Drop-In Fee
Cost: $2.00 per scheduled session – To participate in gym drop-in sports, sign-in and pay at the Land Desk.

Aquatic Payment Options
***Open Swim Fee
Cost: $3.00 – This fee includes use of the pool and locker room and can be paid at the Aquatics Desk.

Monthly Health & Wellness Pass
Cost: $30 per month per individual – A monthly membership includes use of the pool, cardio/weight rooms and the gymnasium during drop-in sports. These memberships must be purchased at the financial desk in the upper level or by calling 248-608-0251 or 248-659-1029. Passes are only good for the month issued and are not pro-rated. 6-month ($150) passes and yearly ($300) passes are also available.

Additional fees apply for classes, special programs, and team sports.