The latest craze -- Pickleball

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on September 30, 2015 1:48 PM

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bdavis@newsargus.com

So, you thought you finally figured out cornhole.

Now, learn about pickleball.

Eighteen adults recently sat on the gym's bleachers at the Goldsboro Family YMCA. They listened to the ambassador of the USA Pickleball Association, Rick Laskey -- of Jacksonville's division -- explain the history and rules of the odd-sounding game.

"Pickleball started in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington," Laskey said. "It was named after Pickles the dog. The owner yelled at the dog to return the ball from the woods."

Though pickleball began 50 years ago, it is not well-known to most. It combines tennis and badminton with a few changes to the classic sports.

Blue tape lined areas of the YMCA's basketball courts showed the "kitchen" zone or the non-volley zone and the serving line. When a player swings their ping pong-like paddle and make contact with a wiffle ball, the ball cannot land in the "kitchen" zone on the other side of the 34-inch net.

"Serving is the most important thing you do," Laskey instructed. "Have you ever gone bowling? Underhand serve."

Laskey and his assistants stepped to the first of three pickleball courts. They warmed up by standing close to the net, volleying the ball -- then they showed the observers how to play.

Laskey served by hitting the ball past the "kitchen" zone on the opponent's side. The opponent backhanded the ball, hitting it above Laskey's head, but Laskey jumped to hit it back for a point.

"1-0-2," yelled Laskey, who explained that keeping score is the most difficult aspect of pickleball.

"The first number is the server's score, the second number is the opponent's score and the third number is the sequence you are playing," said avid pickleball player Theresa Merritt.

Soon the three courts were full of adults holding paddles, volleying the ball and playing 11-point games.

"Anybody can play," said Marc Langston, sports director at Y. "Kids, young people (and) adults. Doesn't matter the age."

Langston said people can play pickleball at the Y on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon. Interested players can also participate in pickle ball at Herman Park on Thursdays from 9 a.m.-noon.

Last Thursday, 18 pickleball players -- including young people and adults -- sat in the Herman Park Building. They waited to start a new game and then eat.

Duane Vandiford looked at his watch.

"I've been playing for two and half hours," Vandiford said. "First time playing. You don't have to move or run a lot. (It's) easy on us old folks."

Though "old folks" were the majority, three young people sat, holding their paddles in anticipation.

"(It's) easy to pick up. Very competitive," said Jonathan Althoff, who said he, his brother and sister play all of the time. "(It's) really fun. I heard about it in Florida when we were homeschooled. I thought, 'this is awesome'."

After playing doubles to seven points, the players filled the building's kitchen for lunch. They talked about the sport and scheduled times to meet for more pickleball.