Kalamazoo Fall 2010 Pickleball Tournament Invitation and Registration Flyer

Pickleball - America's fastest growing sport!

Tournament September 16 - 17, 2010

Registration Deadline August 1, 2010

"Come join us in Kalamazoo September 16 - 17, 2010 for the YMCA Kalamazoo Fall Pickleball Tournament. We kick things off Thursday afternoon with 65+ Doubles & 65+ Mixed Doubles play. Thursday evening we have a series of fun Skills Drills and some "Crazy Mixed-Up Doubles". Friday the competition continues with brackets 19+, 50+ & 5.0. We play Women's Doubles, Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. New for fall is the rated player 5.0 bracket. The Tournament features great food & drink, a T-shirt, medals and a few more surprises! We have another great lineup of sponsors! And we play on 7 indoor courts!"

• $15 Thursday only
• $25 per person one entry (includes Thursday)
• $35 per person two entries (includes Thursday)
• ($5 discount for USAPA members )

We welcome all volunteers! If you can volunteer and/or referee, please send us an email picklemaster@where2pickle.com

Schedule of Events:
________________________
Thursday September 16th
Noon - Registration Opens @ Portage YMCA
1:00 pm - 65+ Player Meeting
1:15 pm - 65+ Doubles & 65+ Mixed Doubles
5:45 pm - Assemble on Court/Evening Welcome
6:00 pm - Skills Drills on all 7 courts (rotate every 7 minutes)
7:00 pm - Refreshment Break
7:15 pm - Assemble on court for instructions/court assignments
7:30 pm - Crazy Mixed-Up Doubles
9:00 pm - Snacks - Sky-box Lobby
9:30 pm - Awards
10:00 pm - YMCA Closes

________________________
Friday, September 17th
7:00 am - YMCA Opens (Biggby Coffee, Big Apple Bagels, Fresh Fruit courtesy of Meijer)
7:30 am - Player meeting for Mixed Doubles & Referees
8:00 am - Mixed Doubles
Noon - Lunch break
1:00 pm - Player Meeting for Men's & Women's Doubles
1:05 pm - Women's and Men's Doubles
5:00 pm - Awards
10:00 pm - YMCA Closes

What to bring: Sport bottles (we'll have filtered water from Gordon's), folding chairs for watching matches on court, towels for shower room & for on court, lock for locker rooms (must remove overnight).

See you here in Kazoo September 16 & 17!

Melissa Muha & Bob Northrop - Tournament Directors
Kalamazoo Fall Pickleball Tournament
email: picklemaster@where2pickle.org

More info http://www.where2pickle.org/
Registration flyer: http://www.where2pickle.com/assets/t201009/flyer.pdf

Grand Rapids FUN Mini-Tournament! GRAND Pickleball! GRAND Smiles!

We've all heard the saying 'good things come in small packages'. USAPA Ambassador Dick Draigh proved that GRAND Pickleball comes in a small packages too.

Monday, June 28, Dick Draigh hosted a FUN Mini-Tournament at East Hills Athletic Club in Grand Rapids. The Club's regular Picklers were joined by Picklers from USAPA Ambassador Jean Mulder's group in Holland. In all there were 26 players that had a GRAND time!

"The purpose of the event was two-fold: to gain a little experience in running a tournament and to have a fun time. We got both...in spades." Dick Draigh

TOURNAMENT RESULTS: GRAND Smiles!

MI Pickleball! FUN! Friends! Fitness!

Auburn Hills Community Center Tennis Courts Lined for Pickleball

Summer Pickleball is in full swing
By USAPA Member David McClelland

Summer Pickleball is in full swing and nowhere is it more active than at the Auburn Hill Community Center (AHCC). Pickleball has recently moved from the indoor gymnasium's three courts to the three outdoor tennis courts.Just b efore the recent tournament (which was held the AHCC on June 12th & 13th and was very successful), permanent Pickleball court lines were painted on the three tennis courts. That is a big step forward for Pickleball and a good thing for Michell Pozen, the Senior Services Fitness Coordinator, who had to put taped lines down on those three courts all of last year. Come out and join in the fun on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 9:30 each week and check out the new PB lines.

Auburn Hills Community Center Open Play Pickleball
Pickleball held outdoors in the summer and is a simple paddle game, playing a special perforated slow-moving ball over a tennis type net on a badminton sized court. Like ping pong & tennis! If you love racquet sports, you’ll love Pickle ball! Get your workout in while having a great time with a great group of people. NO PICKLBALL JULY 5

Day/Date: Monday/Wednesday June 2-August 30
Open Play Pickleball
9:30p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Cost: #352034
2 Days Resident $30.00 Non-Resident $35.00
Drop-in Fee $2.00 Resident, $3.00 Non-Resident

Auburn Hills Community Center Beginner PickleballNever played Pickleball and you want to get in on the craze? This time is for you if you are a newer player or someone who wants to practice building your skills. Get the rules and basic instruction, play with others of your level. New, beginner & non-competitive level players only please. Instruction will be outdoors – so dress accordingly & bring water.

Day/Date: Friday, June 18-August 2
Time: 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Cost: Resident $10.00, Non-Resident $15.00 #352035
Drop-In Fee $2.00 Resident, $3.00 Non-Resident

Why do we need a major-league team? Grand Rapids sports scene already is rich | MLive.com

Why do we need a major-league team? Grand Rapids sports scene already is rich MLive.com: "Or you can simply find out what the heck pickleball is.
All of these options — and many, many more — are readily attainable throughout West Michigan. And they’re available for all ages, all abilities and all comers."

State Games of Michigan notes: Pickleball already has been added to the list of sports for next year...

State Games of Michigan notes: Pickleball already has been added to the list of sports for next year...

TODAY! FREE! PICKLEBALL RULES/REF TRAINING!

TODAY! FREE!  PICKLEBALL RULES/REF TRAINING! ROCHESTER OPC! 1:00 PM!

Physical therapy can help ease the pain that can come with summer activities

Physical therapy can help ease the pain that can come with summer activities

MSO 2010 Summer Pickleball BRACKETS

Michigan Senior Olympics 2010 Summer Pickleball

BRACKETS*

*The published brackets are subject to change.

Michigan Senior Olympics — List of Entries

Michigan Senior Olympics — List of Entries

The Dawning of Michigan Pickleball Player Ratings

• TO: Michigan Pickleball Tournament Players
• FROM: Working Group Members - Jim Hackenberg, Yvonne Hackenberg, Dick Manasseri, Melissa Muha, Bob Northrop, and Pat Sullivan
• SUBJECT: Pickleball Player Ratings

"Age based" vs."Rated Player" play: More and more tournaments are being held using a format that creates matches based on player ratings rather than player age. Ratings range from 1.0 to 5.0.

 

After the most recent Kalamazoo Doubles Tournament we created a working group  ("Working Group") consisting of Melissa Muha, Bob Northrop, Yvonne Hackenberg, Jim Hackenberg, Dick Manasseri and Pat Sullivan to assess player ratings based on play at the Kalamazoo Doubles Tournament.

Fortunately, there were a number of nationally rated players taking part in the Tournament and the USAPA has fairly detailed criteria on the different rating levels. The tasks of the Working Group centered on how to best rate non-rated players by assessing them in relation to existing player ratings and how to consistently apply the ratings criteria.

Everyone who played competitively at the most recent Kalamazoo Doubles Tournament (05-2010) has been rated and their rating may be viewed at http://usapa.org/ratings/  You may also wish to read more information at this page http://usapa.org/ratings/ratings_doc.html  And even more infor mation (including a view of all players ratings from the last Kalamazoo Tournament) may be viewed at http://where2pickle.org/playerRating.php

Establishing a player rating is typically the result of your play being evaluated by the Tournament Director or by a group of people that advise the Tournament Director. In creating our Working Group we were fortunate to have group members that have national experience & perspective. For example, we did our best to make sure a 3.5 player in Michigan would be competitive with a 3.5 player in Arizona.

If you disagree with your rating please contact any member of our Working Group. There also is an appeal process. Your rating represents your "typical" play and does not change precipitously with any one great or problematic outing. If, for instance, you were rated a 3.0 and feel you should have been rated higher you may appeal. Or a more pragmatic approach may be to either play in the 3.0 bracket or play up in a higher bracket that you feel is more appropriate. If you are the dominant player in the 3.0 bracket or highly competitive in the higher bracket the ongoing review process may naturally result in a change of rating.

Special thanks to everyone hitting that little ball!


Melissa Muha, Bob Northrop, Yvonne Hackenberg, Jim Hackenberg, Dick Manasseri & Pat Sullivan

Happy Father's Day!

MI Pickleball News Special Edition by Dick Manasseri

MI Pickleball News Special Edition

by Dick Manasseri, USAPA 

June 2010

http://usapa.org/file/mi/MI_Pb_News_Special_Edition_JUN2010.pdf

The Joy of Outdoor Pickleball Courts

• The Joy of Outdoor Pickleball Courts
  

Outdoor Pickleball courts, whether taped, dual painted, or dedicated, are indeed a joy.

In addition to the officially scheduled drop-in, ladder and tournament play, the courts are just there all day for us to use as we choose. We can

• Bring a parent, son, daughter and/or grandchildren to introduce this wonderful family game
  
• Get a small group together to meet for drills
  
• Actually have court time to work on our Singles game
  
• Turn a casual conversation about the crazy game we love into a fun experience for a new set of players from the neighborhood.
  

Enjoy!

Pure Michigan Pickleball

The "Pure Michigan" music … Tim Allen's voice…

The sound of Pickleball's "POP" and the laughter that follows…

Someday, Pickleball will be part of the official "Pure Michigan" story.

One big step in that direction is the decision of the West Michigan Sports Commission to include

Pickleball in the 2011 Meijer State Games of Michigan,

June 24-26, 2011 in Grand Rapids.

Check out the 2010 Meijer States Games of Michigan at http://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/

Notice the professional organization of the State Games and mark your calendar for next year. (Pickleball will be added to this website later this year with the details for 2011.)

Stay tuned for more information from USAPA Ambassadors Dick Draigh, Jeanne Schowalter and John Schowalter. They prepared and presented our proposal to be accepted in the 2011 Games, and Dick is serving as our Pickleball Commissioner for the event. For questions and/or suggestions, contact Dick at rdraigh@aol.com . Please include the word "Pickleball" in your subject line so that Dick will know your mail is not spam.


NEW Grand Rapids Pickleball Website!
http://grpickleball.com/

Online Pickleball Skills Improvement Clinic

"There is no substitute for a hands-on clinic with the outstanding teachers that we have in our midst, e.g. Lewis Forrest, the Hackenbergs, the Wittkowskis, Nancy Thoenes, Pat Sullivan, Renard Kolasa, etc. Still it is good to see that CMN-TV has produced a second 30-minute Pickleball program that is being broadcast on its stations and is also available on line at http://www.livelonglivewell.org/gpage19.html This skills improvement video was produced by health consultant Mark Maxwell and features Nancy Thoenes, Lewis Forrest and Lynn and Vic Wittkowski. Mark tells me that he has already had 35,000 hits to the pages with the Pickleball videos just in the last several weeks. Check it out and incorporate the drills and strategies into your game." Dick Manasseri, USAPA

Rochester Pickleball Club Tournament and Festival

Rochester Pickleball Club Tournament and Festival

• August 25-29^th
  
• Rochester High School Outdoor Courts
  

 

The detailed registration form is available at

http://www.usapa.org/file/mi/RPC_2010_Tournament_and_Festival.pdf

The price is right!

$5 per event plus the $10 general registration fee which is waived for USAPA Members.

(Do the math and join the USAPA now http://usapa.org/memberships/index.php)

Something for everyone:

• Beginner's Clinic – Wednesday 1pm
  
• Recreational Speed Pickleball for all ages – Wednesday 9am
  
• Boys and Girls Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles – Thursday & Friday 9am
  
• Mixed Generation – Saturday 3pm
  
• USAPA Sanctioned Tournament (Tier 4)
  
  • Adult (19+. 35+), Senior (50+ in 5-year age groups)
    
    • Women's Doubles – Wednesday 5pm
      
    • Men's Doubles -- Thursday 5pm
      
    • Mixed Doubles – Friday 5pm
      
    • Men's & Women's Singles – Saturday 9am
      
  • Michigan's First Skill Level Men's & Women's Doubles
    
    • Sunday 2pm
      
    • Play at your own skill level regardless of age.
      
      • Ratings: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4,5, 5.0
        
      • Learn more about ratings. Read "To Be (Rated) or Not To Be" by Dick Manasseri
        

 

These skill level events are an opportunity for new players to participate in the tournament against other players of their level.  What a great way to experience a tournament if you have just become involved in the world of Pickleball.

::: ::: :::

"To Be (Rated) or Not To Be" by Dick Manasseri

You can find all of the details regarding ratings at http://usapa.org/ratings/ratings_doc.html#whatisrating including the Rating Guidelines, Descriptions, Appeals Process, etc.

Ratings help me establish my skill level relative to a national set of criteria and relative to other players. This is a good thing for several reasons:

• It's my choice (to be rated or not to be).
  
• Ratings are open to Beginners, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced players alike and there are rated activities for all of these skill levels.
  
• I can compete in rated events at my own skill level regardless of age. For many players, this means that I get to play more games than I might if I competed strictly by age group. (Players with a higher rating will not be playing in my group. I can play up into a higher rating group if I choose.)
  
• I get a better shot at a sound seeding in age group tournament play because the tournament director has access to player ratings
  
• I know where I stand and I know what additional skills I need to work on to move the next level, if I so desire.
  
• I can evaluate skill clinics that are focused on the specific skills I am seeking to improve.
  
• Where Drop-in play is organized by skill rating, I know that I will find players of a similar skill level. There will typically be open Drop-in play as well where I can play with my friends of different skill levels.
  

 

How do I get a rating?

Typically, ratings are acquired by entering a rated event such as the Sunday August 29^th events that are part of the Rochester Pickleball Club Tournament and Festival

http://www.usapa.org/file/mi/RPC_2010_Tournament_and_Festival.pdf

Some players have already been given initial ratings based on previous tournament results and recommendations by tournament directors. The Kalamazoo Doubles Tournament was an ideal opportunity to establish initial ratings for players because there were several in-state and out-of-state players with USAPA ratings that could serve as benchmarks. In addition, the Tournament Directors, USAPA Ambassadors Bob Northrop and Melissa Muha, and Ambassadors-at-Large Jim and Yvonne Hackenberg volunteered to analyze the results of the tournament to establish initial ratings for the 100+ participants. Ambassador Pat Sullivan has joined the ongoing Michigan Ratings Group that will be led by Jim and Yvonne and expanded as needed.

You may find out if you have already been assigned a rating by going to the Ratings section of the USAPA website. If you have a question about your initial rating, please contact Jim and Yvonne Hackenberg yhacken@aol.com

If you don't have a USAPA rating, then you may rate yourself when you enter a rated event for the first time. Your initial self rating must be approved by the tournament director. Depending upon your tournament results, your self-rating could be changed if it appears to be obviously wrong.

We play Pickleball for the Fun of It. Let's enjoy the fitness, friends, and fun of It whether we choose to be rated or not.

To Be (Rated) or Not To Be

"To Be (Rated) or Not To Be" by Dick Manasseri

You can find all of the details regarding ratings at http://usapa.org/ratings/ratings_doc.html#whatisrating including the Rating Guidelines, Descriptions, Appeals Process, etc.

Ratings help me establish my skill level relative to a national set of criteria and relative to other players. This is a good thing for several reasons:

• It's my choice (to be rated or not to be).
• Ratings are open to Beginners, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced players alike and there are rated activities for all of these skill levels.
• I can compete in rated events at my own skill level regardless of age. For many players, this means that I get to play more games than I might if I competed strictly by age group. (Players with a higher rating will not be playing in my group. I can play up into a higher rating group if I choose.)
• I get a better shot at a sound seeding in age group tournament play because the tournament director has access to player ratings
• I know where I stand and I know what additional skills I need to work on to move the next level, if I so desire.
• I can evaluate skill clinics that are focused on the specific skills I am seeking to improve.
• Where Drop-in play is organized by skill rating, I know that I will find players of a similar skill level. There will typically be open Drop-in play as well where I can play with my friends of different skill levels. 

How do I get a rating?
Typically, ratings are acquired by entering a rated event such as the Sunday August 29^th events that are part of the Rochester Pickleball Club Tournament and Festival
http://www.usapa.org/file/mi/RPC_2010_Tournament_and_Festival.pdf

Some players have already been given initial ratings based on previous tournament results and recommendations by tournament directors. The Kalamazoo Doubles Tournament was an ideal opportunity to establish initial ratings for players because there were several in-state and out-of-state players with USAPA ratings that could serve as benchmarks. In addition, the Tournament Directors, USAPA Ambassadors Bob Northrop and Melissa Muha, and Ambassadors-at-Large Jim and Yvonne Hackenberg volunteered to analyze the results of the tournament to establish initial ratings for the 100+ participants. Ambassador Pat Sullivan has joined the ongoing Michigan Ratings Group that will be led by Jim and Yvonne and expanded as needed.

You may find out if you have already been assigned a rating by going to the Ratings section of the USAPA website. If you have a question about your initial rating, please contact Jim and Yvonne Hackenberg yhacken@aol.com

If you don't have a USAPA rating, then you may rate yourself when you enter a rated event for the first time. Your initial self rating must be approved by the tournament director. Depending upon your tournament results, your self-rating could be changed if it appears to be obviously wrong.

We play Pickleball for the Fun of It. Let's enjoy the fitness, friends, and fun of It whether we choose to be rated or not.

Auburn Hills Summer Smash II Tournament Results

Auburn Hills Summer Smash II Torunament Results

"Each Auburn Hills Tournament gets better and better. Michelle managed each division with a customized format to ensure lots of playtime and lots of fun. Smoothies and Pizza and Salad, Oh My! How about those referees who did super job. Thank you, Bruce, Patty, Tom, Arlene, Nancy, Pete, Lynn, Dave, Renard, and Wally!!!" Dick Manasseri, USA Pickleball Association

Auburn Hills Community Center Pickleball Notice

Auburn Hills Community Center :: Drop-in Pickleball Notice

"Pickleball in Auburn Hills will always be outdoors this summer, if there is a rain day on a Mon/Wed, we’ll have make-up on Friday morning until September." Michelle Pozan

Northern Illinois Pickleball Ambassador Plays Auburn Hills Tourney

Northern Illinois Pickleball: "NIP at Auburn Hills Summer Smash II Sarah and I went to Auburn Hills, Michigan this last weekend to participate in their Pickleball tournament. The tournament was outside at the Senior Community Center, but in case of ..." Posted by USAPA Ambassador Jennifer Selchow (IL)



CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND SEE A SLIDESHOW!

Auburn Hills Pickleball Tourney Fun for All

Pickleball tourney promises to be fun for all at Auburn Hills Community Center

The Oakland Press
By Special writer David McClelland

The pickleball tournament will be today and Sunday at the Auburn Hills Community Center.

Pickleball is offered three days a week at the center. Seniors play pickleball on the gym floor in the winter months and on the outdoor tennis courts in the summer.

The game is played on a badminton size court, so colored tape is used to define the boundaries of the pickleball courts. Instruction is offered for beginners.

There are clinics for players at all levels, with regular games and a competition. You need not be a resident of Auburn Hills to participate in the senior activities.

The sport programs have a drop-in charge of $2 per day for residents and $3 per day for nonresidents. To learn about pickleball, visit www.usapa.org for rules and videos of the game.

Laugh if you must, but pickleball is serious business for local ambassadors of the game | MLive.com

Laugh if you must, but pickleball is serious business for local ambassadors of the game MLive.com

Upcoming MI Pickleball Tournament Players Lists

Upcoming MI Pickleball Tournament Players Lists

• Auburn Hills Summer Smash II Players List
• Michigan Senior Olympics 2010 Summer Pickleball Games Players List

Lakeland Athletic Club Pickleball Demo Open House

You are cordially invited to join the FUN!

PICKLEBALL DEMO OPEN HOUSE

FRIDAY, JUNE 11 at 10:30 AM

LAKELAND ATHLETIC CLUB NILES, MI 

Pickleball is an extremely popular sport that is spreading into the Midwest from the Southern and Western States where it is played all year long. It is especially suited to Seniors although all ages enjoy the sport. We are targeting new adult players although kids are welcome to come to the open house.

Played much like tennis, the court is the size of a badminton court with slightly lower net. It is played with paddles and whiffle ball and scored more like volleyball. It can be an extremely competitive sport including tournament play or just played recreationally. It is easy for anyone to learn.

We are introducing the sport and will be offering Pickleball programs and league play at Lakeland Athletic Club in the afternoons during the week and on Saturdays/Sundays in the near future.

Join us for the Open House, see how the game is played and pick up more information. If you cannot come to see it yourself and are interested, contact me by email for further details about the program.

Patty Schrock, Manager

Lakeland Athletic Club

269-684-8030

Playing Tips by Bill Booth

Playing Tips by Bill Booth

MASTER THE DINK

"The dink is one of the most effective shots in pickleball. The main purpose of the dink is to keep your opponents from gaining or keeping an offensive advantage. The dink is a soft shot that is hit just hard enough to clear the net, but not so hard as to allow your opponent to aggressively volley the ball (volley means to hit the ball before it bounces).

If you don’t have a chance at a strong offensive shot, then chances are good that the best shot selection is the dink. That is especially true if both of your opponents are at the net (at the no-volley line, which is the strongest position in pickleball). If one of your opponents is back at the baseline, don’t use a dink in that situation unless you are pretty sure that he won’t be able to get to the ball. A dink in that situation will just bring your opponent up to the net, which is where he wants to be. If he is at the baseline, keep him on the defense with a deep shot hit with pace.

The keys to effective dink play are patience and precision. It takes patience to keep dinking and to resist the urge to try to create an offensive shot when none is available. Move your opponents around with a variety of shot placements including a cross-court shot at an angle. You want to maneuver the opponents enough to where they make the first mistake, either by hitting the net or hitting it high enough to give you an offensive shot. It takes precision on your part to not make that first mistake. That takes practice to hit the ball with just the right amount of touch. Practice the dink while you are warming up.

Master the dink. It is likely that your opponent has not."

Read more Playing Tips by Bill Booth

Pickleball Tips by Barney Myer

Pickleball Tips by Barney Myer

THE DINK SHOT

"One of the most underrated shots in pickleball is the dink shot. In fact many players don't even pay attention to it. However, almost all the top players have the dink shot as part of their game and are very good at it. We can all learn, practice and improve our dink shots. When practicing, dink or strike the ball nice and soft. You want the ball to just clear the net. Don't try to put too much spin or get too cute with it as that will make it more difficult to make a good dink shot. Don't get discouraged if your shots are hitting into the net or seem to go too high. Like the rest of your game it will take time and practice but you can do it! Remember that having a good dink game will make you a better player!"

Read more Pickleball Tips by Barney Myer

Pickleball: Get in the Game by Mark Maxwell

Free Online Instructional Video
Live Long Live Well Episode 12

"Pickleball: Get in the Game"

 http://www.livelonglivewell.org/gpage19.html

"Pickleball, a game invented in the 1960's, is enjoying a resurgence in the United States and it is rapidly growing around the world. Why? It's a great game that first of all is fun and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. Host Mark Maxwell welcomes United States Pickleball Association Ambassador (USAPA) Dick Manasseri and Pickleball Experts Lewis Forrest, Nancy Thoenes, and Vic and Lynn Wittkowski to learn more about the game. Basic rules, warm-up drills, serves, shots, and strategy are featured. In pickleball, the ball may be slow, but the game is fast. Whether you are a beginner, recreational or competitive tournament player, our experts have some great playing tips for you. Come out and give pickleball a try, get in the game!" Live Long Live Well Episode 12

"This program was produced by Mark Maxwell at the Auburn Hills Community Center, MI. It features USAPA Members Lewis Forrest, Nancy Thoenes, Lynn Wittkowski and Vic Wittkowski. These medal winning players provide their insights on improving your skill level just in time for International Pickleball Week June 1-7 and the summer tournament season." Dick Manasseri, USA Pickleball Association

The program is also being broadcast locally on CMNTV in Troy, MI.

Wowway Channel 18 :: Comcast Channel 52

Tuesday 8:30pm :: Thursday 11:00am :: Saturday 6:30pm