David Zapatka There’s something audacious about the name. Pickleball. Say it out loud. You can’t help but grin. It turns out that is exactly the point! Millions of people are discovering that a paddle, a whiffle-like ball, and a court the size of a badminton court can do something that gyms and wellness apps cannot.…
Tag: Pickleball
August 2026, Front Page
All I Really Need to Know I Learned Playing Pickleball
Gary Pelphrey I came to pickleball looking for exercise. I stayed because it turns out getting humbled by a wiffle ball is surprisingly good for the soul. Five years later, I own more paddles than I care to admit, know the difference between a Dink and an Erne, and I’ve discovered something unexpected: pickleball has…
July 2026, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Improve Your Pickleball Dinking Techniques
David Zapatka The dink is pickleball’s most nuanced shot, deceptively simple to learn, endlessly deep to master. While beginners treat it as a stopgap between rallies, advanced players weaponize it. Here’s how to transform your dinking game from passive to dominant. Elite dinks share three qualities. They land in the kitchen, stay low over the…
June 2026, Sports
What’s the Future of Pickleball in SaddleBrooke?
Gary Pelphrey According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball continues to experience significant national growth, increasing 479% from 2020 to 2025. Participation has expanded faster than any major recreational sport in America, with additional investment interest highlighted by recent reports of a $225 million investment in pickleball-related ventures by Apollo Sports Capital,…
June 2026, Front Page
Step Into Your Best Game
Dale Dillon Lips Did you know that line dancing is the ultimate cross-training partner for your favorite sports? Whether you’re into pickleball, tennis, golf, biking, swimming or hiking, the dance floor is a secret weapon that can keep you agile, focused, and injury-free. Here is how trading your sneakers for dance shoes can level up…
May 2026, Sports
Serving Up Fun and Friendship
Evelyn Wiltshire Pickleball’s roots date back to 1965 when three Washington State dads created it as a fun backyard game for their kids. It remained under the radar as a mainstream sport for many years, apart from retirement communities in Florida and Arizona, until it burgeoned in popularity nationwide between 2010 and 2019. During this…
May 2026, Front Page
Pickleball Teams Shine at the Championships
Corey Loyd Teams from the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) delivered solid performances in the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) 2026 Winter Season Championships this past month. Following a competitive two-month season ended in mid-March, two of SPA’s 12 teams advanced to the championships in their respective flights. The SPA 3.0 Men’s Doubles 65 plus team,…
April 2026, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Playing in the Wind
David Zapatka Wind is the great equalizer on the pickleball court. It doesn’t matter how polished your dink game is or how powerful your drive is; a stiff breeze can turn your best shots into unforced errors in a hurry. The good news is that with a few smart adjustments, you can use the wind…
April 2026, Front Page
Pickleball Teams Battle to the Very End
Corey Loyd Pickleball players from the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) competed in their final matches of the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) Winter Season, which ends the second week of March. The season kicked off in January with teams competing in flights based on players’ skill and age divisions. Competition included men’s, women’s, and mixed…
Features, March 2026
SaddleBrooke After Dark—A Friendly and Visible Reminder
Larry Mazin SaddleBrooke is one of those rare places where nighttime still means nighttime. No street lights, no glare—just stars, silence, and the occasional deer strolling by as if it owns the place (which, frankly, it probably did first). Many residents enjoy evening walks, which are healthy, neighborly, and highly encouraged. However, after dark, some…