David Zapatka Backhand Groundstroke Quoting from Pickleball Fundamentals: Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, when hitting a backhand groundstroke, “The same principles apply when you’re hitting a backhand groundstroke (as a forehand groundstroke) except that you move to the left rather than to the right (right-handed players). While some players change the…
Tag: Pickleball
Sports, December 2021
Mike Owens Brings Gold Home from Las Vegas
Raymond H. Goettsch SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association member Mike Owens, age 63, participated in the Pro Pickleball Association Championship tournament in Las Vegas from Oct. 21 to 24. Mike and his partner, Keith Sturdivant, age 63, of SaddleBrooke Ranch, played in the 5.0 men’s doubles section. Due to the number of participants, the 60+ players and…
November 2021, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Forehand and Groundstroke
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…
October 2021, Sports
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…
October 2021, Sports
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.…
September 2021, Sports
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…
September 2021, Sports
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…