Raymond H. Goettsch On Dec. 9, the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) began the construction of eight more pickleball courts off Ridgeview Blvd. next to the existing six courts built in 2012. The long-awaited construction was initiated by the celebratory shoveling of dirt. Everyone present had the opportunity to be part of the process by taking…
Raymond H. Goettsch SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) members enjoyed SPA’s annual holiday party in the MountainView Ballroom on the evening of Dec. 1. The festive party was organized by SPA Social Director Donna Hollingsworth, and she was assisted at the party by Jen Wilkins, Pat Carney, and Lexi Phillips. Nearly 100 members and guests attended…
Raymond H. Goettsch This year, USA Pickleball adopted a provisional drop serve, Rule 4.A.8. Under this rule, the server can drop the pickleball and then serve after the bounce. No limitation is based upon the height of the drop beyond the physical limitations of the server’s reach. However, the ball must be dropped, not bounced.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…