Friday, December 7, 2018 (Court Day #231)
Yesterday morning, I went to see my wife’s chiropractor. She used an ultrasound device to zap my forearm, worked the muscle, “reset my ribs” with a spine cracking, then applied elastic athletic tape to my right arm and my right ankle. We’ll see if it does anything.
Yep. Taped up!
Brommer
Arrived at 9:10 at Brommer Park. About a dozen people were already there. Two of courts had a full complement and Dean and Dan Bliss were warming up on another. I figured I’d just let them do their thing and I’d wait for an intermediate player to warm up with. I ended up doing so with Di, the short redhead. She said she’d been out for a month due to flu/cold/congestion. Di and I played a game as partners. We lost, but she was rusty and was breaking in a new paddle to boot.
I played a game partnered with an older woman named Patti with long white blonde hair who I’d never seen before. She obviously has a strong tennis background, but has yet to develop a soft game and learn ideal pickleball strategies.
I played a game with Karen (from Scotts Valley, I overheard) against Patti and—maybe it was Karl, I can’t remember. We were down 2 points but when on an 11-0 run and won the game. Quite the flip. Karen, I think I’d seen maybe once before, but I’d never met her. Both she and Patti are mostly bangers, though Karen is the stronger player.
Ted B. caught walking to get a ball. “Do I get to be famous?” Yes, Ted!
Mid-morning, I was paired with Dean against George and visor Tom B. Dean and I pulled far ahead—Dean probably won half a dozen points just on his wickedly fast serves. Dean is just on another level. (Dean was part of a mixed doubles team that won gold in 4.5/5.0 70+ at Nationals a month ago!) His shots over the net are low, fast slices that are hard to work with. George hit two passing shots down my right side. As Dean very correctly pointed out, I had failed to shift enough and should have been let Dean fully take care of the middle. On the third such situation, I did cover the side, but Dean was daydreaming and didn’t move over enough to cover the middle and George’s shot got through. I can’t blame Dean. I’d be like me playing with beginners . . . you aren’t focused and aren’t really “trying” particularly hard.
Over My Head?
Later on, Dave DiBiase was signed up in red in a box with Dean. Dave asked if I wanted to join them. “But I’m are a different skill level than you guys.” Dave assured, “You definitely belong in there.” I was excited, nervous, and intimidated. I wanted to do well. As we walked onto the court, I asked, “Dave and me?” Dean replied, “No. You and me.” Dean was easily the strongest player. Him wanting to balance the two teams meant playing with me. I’d put Steve as stronger than Dave, but it might depend on the day. I feel I can generally get into a game with Dave and Steve and be competitive. Dean? No way.
Steve was serving very well. One serve was the weirdest thing. The ball simply didn’t come back up—it stayed a mere 6″ off the ground. Dean suggested checking the ball for cracks, but it was fine. Dean did later swap the ball out for a newer one. “This one will be more lively,” he warned our opponents.
Our team lost and it wasn’t Dean. There there at least three dinks that I attempted to volley out of the air but the ball ended up in the net. Frustrating. “Look at me! I’m lame!” No, I didn’t say that, but I was thinking it!
After the game, Dave told me, “In the finals of that tournament, you were playing a solid 4.0 level. The problem today is that you were pushing. Before, you were waiting and being patient.” I was trying too hard.
Next
A man that i didn’t know named Jim signed up in red. I tentatively felt him out. He said, “I’ll play with anybody.” I signed up. Karl was right there, so he joined us. We needed a fourth. We grabbed Olga. I didn’t know Jim, but figured he and I would be the strongest, so I told Olga we’d play together. It was a good game that ended up 10-10. We did lose 12-10, but I played well. Mid-game, Jim heading back to his baseline commented to Karl in reference to me, “Whoa! Quick hands!” I think I earned his respect! Jim is a good player with good spin on his serves.
Olga and I played against John P. and a woman whose name I forget, but I’ve seen a few times before. I was expecting us to win handily and we did—11-3 or something like that.
A “Good Game”
I was on my way to my back when Kim called over, “Do you have one more game in you, Andrew?” I paused. “I really should go home and get ready for work . . . ok, one more.”
“I want to get in at least one more good game,” confided Kim. Gee, that’s nice. I qualify as a “good” player! I’ll take that compliment!
Kim and I won both games against Cathy and Jim. I played quite well. The first game was a bit lopsided, but the second took longer and was a little more even. Oh, almost forgot to mention . . . I had what may have been my first backhand (around the left post) ATP shot. Cathy had hit a sharp and long crosscourt dink and I took it around. Jim said, “I was just admiring it!” (Instead of courtacting it.) I can’t remember if I’ve done one of those before. Regardless, they are rare. I know I hit an attempted right side ATP shot into the post earlier in the game. High risk, high reward!
And?
The tennis elbow seems to be getting better. Slices still hurt. I did one and won’t be doing those again for a while. And the elbow hurt on an overhead smash, so I have to be careful on those. A mixed day. I wish I played better in the game with Dean, Dave and Steve. But, it did end on a high note.
I left at 12:50. to race home, shower and get to work!
Saturday, December 8, 2018 (No Play)
Today my tennis elbow is sorer than yesterday morning. Playing does negatively affect it.
Number of days on a court: 231
Number of total hours: 634
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