Andrea Molberg and Shawne Cryderman
Pickleball Association (SPA) members are making the best of the six Ridgeview courts we currently have. Down by the crowded courts, here is a sample of what waiting players said:
“It is hard to sit and wait but if it means I can play my favorite sport, then that is what I will do – until we get additional courts.” Debbie
“I get to talk to different people and find out more about them.” Linda
“If you hadn’t made it such a fun, social group of people, it would be a much longer wait.” Dave
“The weather makes it nice.” Jean
“I get to visit with all these nice people.” Nancy
With over 600 SPA members (approximately 100 members per court), getting Pickleball court time is a challenge so court reservations have temporarily been suspended. To meet the goal of maximizing court usage for everyone, the SPA board elected to go to a drop-in system, where players stack their paddles and wait for three others to join them for the next available court. After briefly warming up and playing a game, the picklers park their paddles back in line.
Instead of being on a court for 90 minutes where they might play six or eight games, players play a single game before they line up again, but they still count their blessings:
“You can socialize while you are waiting for your turn.” Barbara
“I love drop-in and the chance to socialize.” Ange
“I need to rest and so it makes it easier for me to play.” Bob
“I am meeting many new people while I wait.” Barb
Drop-in allows players to come at the same time and stack their paddles to play together or to play with people they don’t know and people of different skill levels. They love Pickleball fun, exercise and friendly competition. The sport is so addictive that even those who hate to wait come to play.