David Zapatka Want some tips to help you with your forehand groundstroke? Quoting from Pickleball Fundamentals by Mary Littlewood, when hitting a forehand groundstroke, “From the moment the ball leaves the opponent’s paddle, you should be tracking its flight with your eyes to aid you in judging the speed and direction of the ball. Move to the…
Tag: Pickleball
Sports, October 2021
More Fifty-Something Residents Are Here to Play Pickleball
Raymond H. Goettsch Many members of the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) are youngish, that is to say, in their 50s, or even 40s. In talking to more of these members, you learn that they chose to relocate to SaddleBrooke for the express purpose of playing pickleball. Jen Wilkin, age 58, and her husband, Jim, a…
Generals, October 2021
SaddleBrooke TWO Board Adopts Pickleball as an Amenity and Partially Funds Expansion
Raymond H. Goettsch At the Sept. 10 work session, the SaddleBrooke Homeowners Association Two (SaddleBrooke TWO) considered the request by the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) that SaddleBrooke TWO adopt the pickleball program as a funded amenity and contribute $280,000 to the long-planned expansion of eight new courts at the Ridgeview location. After more than an…
Features, October 2021
The Moore Advantage Team Sponsors a Pickleball Court
Raymond H. Goettsch With great appreciation, SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association, Inc. (SPA) announces that local realty group, The Moore Advantage Team, has made a generous donation to assist in the expansion of pickleball at SaddleBrooke. For this sponsorship donation, SPA has designated court 4 as The Moore Advantage Team Court. The Moore Advantage Team is a…
Sports, October 2021
Pickleball Makes the Big Leagues
Raymond H. Goettsch According to USA Pickleball, more than 4 million Americans now play pickleball. So, it should not be surprising that professional baseball players also play pickleball. However, it was surprising that relief pitchers for the Chicago Cubs play pickleball during home games at Wrigley Field. The Cubs pitching coach, Tommy Hottovy, purchased a pickleball…
Sports, September 2021
Fifty Something Residents Are Here to Play Pickleball
Raymond H. Goettsch Many of the members of the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) are youngish, that is to say, in their 50s, or even 40s. In talking to these members, you learn that they chose to relocate to SaddleBrooke for the express purpose of playing pickleball. Jen and Paul Massara are 46 and 55, respectively.…
Sports, September 2021
Comcast/Xfinity Sponsors a Pickleball Court
Raymond H. Goettsch With great appreciation, SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association, Inc. (SPA) announces that Comcast/Xfinity has made a generous donation to assist in the expansion of pickleball at SaddleBrooke. For this sponsorship donation, SPA has designated court five as the Xfinity court. Jim Schlote, SPA fundraising co-chair, presented the Xfinity signage for court five to Gina Grifon, community account…
Sports, September 2021
SPA Offers Introductory Lesson for Beginners
Shawne Cryderman Any SaddleBrooke resident is welcome to attend this introductory lesson. At the end of the intro lesson, participants will know the basics of the game and be encouraged to join the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) and continue with the Assisted Play program. The only prerequisite or “must have” for the intro lesson is…
Sports, September 2021
Relishing Pickleball
David Zapatka Is pickleball a good bet? The Pickleball Players Association (PPA) and Genius Sports, a publicly traded sports data and tech company, recently announced a long-term deal that sets the stage for sports betting in pickleball. Can you imagine walking into one of our local casinos, hearing raucous cheers, and seeing a pickleball match…
Sports, August 2021
Relishing Pickleball
David Zapatka Reader Liz Houser writes, “I just moved to SaddleBrooke in April and learned to play pickleball in early May thanks to my enthusiastic neighbor Shawne. I just read your article about Common mistakes numbers 11 and 12, I found them to be very helpful. Would you be so kind as to send me…