Pickleball Fever

[oneupper]

Was wondering if PB Fever has caught on with the board members.

I've been playing for about a year and half and due to my tennis and ping pong playing youth (35 yrs ago, I'm 62 now), I've become a pretty solid player.

Have endured a serious injury on the court (ruptured Achilles tendon - required surgery and 6 month rehab), but still go to play 4-5 times a week.
The sport is growing fast here (South Florida) and a few celebrities come to play at our park.
Today I played against Gerardo Parra (ex-MLB) and his partner (We lost 12-10...good game). Jeff Conine (ex-MLB) and Gonzalo Higuaín (ex-Argentina National Soccer team) also come around.

So, who else is dinking, driving and dropping?

[Boston Red]

It's big here in Wichita. I've been playing in leagues out here for about 5 years. It's harder to find games once you get good, but we've got a nice community of advanced players (4.5+), and I fit in fine with the 4+ crowd, too. I had a really fun, competitive 2.5 hour game this morning to start my weekend.

My wife and I have made a lot of great friends through pickleball who we never would have met otherwise, and our teenage boys are into it as well. If it was a high school sport, my 15 year old sophomore (who does play high school tennis) would really have a sport he could stand out in.

[RedTeamGo!]

Was wondering if PB Fever has caught on with the board members.

I've been playing for about a year and half and due to my tennis and ping pong playing youth (35 yrs ago, I'm 62 now), I've become a pretty solid player.

Have endured a serious injury on the court (ruptured Achilles tendon - required surgery and 6 month rehab), but still go to play 4-5 times a week.
The sport is growing fast here (South Florida) and a few celebrities come to play at our park.
Today I played against Gerardo Parra (ex-MLB) and his partner (We lost 12-10...good game). Jeff Conine (ex-MLB) and Gonzalo Higuaín (ex-Argentina National Soccer team) also come around.

So, who else is dinking, driving and dropping?

It's funny - most people on here will immediately recognize Parra and Conine, but Gonzalo Higuaín at his peak was known globally. Dude scored a hat trick in a world cup match.

[bucksfan2]

Done it a time or two. I find the sport interesting. Its great for anybody to play, you don't need a ton of ability to play. You can play with people of all different abilities.

What I don't get is the allure of watching it on TV or the "teams" that people are investing in. It just doesn't seem like a sport where there is a ton of interest to consume.

[WrongVerb]

I wish I could get into it, but a torn meniscus in my knee makes actions which require impact or twisting on it kinda painful and a bit dangerous. The meniscus will eventually tear and need to be repaired. I'm not trying to hurry that process.

[Assembly Hall]

I would rather play badminton.

[Boston Red]

What I don't get is the allure of watching it on TV or the "teams" that people are investing in. It just doesn't seem like a sport where there is a ton of interest to consume.

I appreciate the skill of the pros. That doesn't make it particularly compelling to watch a 30 dink rally.

[westofyou]

I appreciate the skill of the pros. That doesn't make it particularly compelling to watch a 30 dink rally.

Couldn't be better than this

https://twitter.com/Super70sSports/status/1713364430921109649

[oneupper]

Done it a time or two. I find the sport interesting. Its great for anybody to play, you don't need a ton of ability to play. You can play with people of all different abilities.

What I don't get is the allure of watching it on TV or the "teams" that people are investing in. It just doesn't seem like a sport where there is a ton of interest to consume.

If you have experience with a racquet sport (tennis, ping pong, racquetball, etc.), there's a definite advantage. The muscle memory is there. And while you CAN play with people of all abilities, it's really best when all players have a similar level.
When I play with my wife (who is a novice), I rarely see a ball hit my way.

As far as it becoming a spectator sport. Not seeing it. IMO, it's kind of like bowling, fun to play and hang out with friends, but watching it takes a special kind of fan (or maybe nothing else on TV).

There is a TON of money being made now selling gear. $250 and up for a plastic paddle? Ouch.