Adventures of Andrew Lenz and a Yellow Ball

Month: July 2019 (Page 2 of 4)

SCPC Procedural Session/Skypark

Thursday, July 25, 2019 (Court Day #285)

45th day out playing lefty. Tennis elbow.

As a site coordinator, I was invited by Karen Long to a “train the trainers” workshop where we covered Santa Cruz Pickleball Club procedures such as handling new players, injuries, and harassment. It started at 4:30 at a Derby Park. I was five minutes late as I got tied up at work. This week has gone really fast. A lot going on, between ad deadlines and a big parking lot anniversary event and sale on Saturday to prep for.

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Terry Long (black cap) leading the first part of the coordinator session as wife Karen (visor) looks on.

Terry Long led the first part and included some rules questions. Being that I have read the rules numerous times and frequent the Facebook pickleball referees group, if I didn’t jump over an important part of the question, I got the answers right. I have to say, it was cool when at one point Terry confirmed a rule by checking with me. I’m sure he knew the answer, still it was nice to hear, “…isn’t that right, Andrew?”

After about an hour and a half, Terry Long gave us some instruction on using backspin on crosscourt dinks.

Karen mentioned in passing that John P. is now a board member of our newly reorganized 501(c)3 club. Well, what do you know! Part of me was thinking, “Gee, I didn’t get asked” but I have plenty on my plate to be honest. I’m already on two non-profit boards and am additionally regularly attend two to five charity meetings each month, my wife complains already.

The funnest part was playing a game against Terry and John P. with Karen as my partner. Terry, to make the game more interesting for him, hit most of the shots to Karen, the stronger player of the two of us. Once, Terry hit it to me and I returned it into the net. I laughed and announced, “Terry hit it to me! What do I do?” Karen and I won 12-10 or thereabouts. It was a close game and a lot of fun. Afterward, Karen leaned in and said, “Now you can say that you beat him playing left-handed!” I dunno, Karen took care of most of the business in that game…

At about 6:40, I headed to Scotts Valley for Thursday night play.

Scotts Valley

[Note: I lost some of my writing for this entry, so here it is again, Hopefully, I didn’t forget too much four days later! I think I did pretty well.]

During a game with Jeanne, she figured out that I was playing left-handed: “I just thought you were playing easier for some reason.” I hadn’t even thought about that, but, sure, my left doesn’t have the power of my right.

During one game, I could feel my right ankle. Fortunately, it hasn’t been bothering me much lately. I did feel my back though, it was getting fatigued and sore as the evening wore on.

A lesson to remember. I was mentally being critical of a partner during a game. “She keeps hitting the ball high.” Or “She should be hitting the ball down during that volley rally.” Then I caught myself doing the same thing. At least I’m honest enough and aware enough to recognize that.

I played a two games partnered with Carol—sho’s been playing for about six months—against Wayne and a guy I’ve never seen before. The guy has a very strong forehand drive. Carol and I lost the first game in a lopsided manner. When presented with the opportunity for one last additional game, I suggested the same teams. It was selfish, of course. To improve, one always wants the strongest players on the opposite side of the net. Carol and I lead most of the game, but stalled at 10 points and lost 12-10.

Near the end, Shawnte said, “Your left hand is awesome.” Everything is relative, of course. Awesome for playing lefty.

Tristan was there. When I asked, he said he wasn’t related to anyone there. However, Jeanne is his neighbor down by the Boardwalk. His mom picked him up. I dipped my head near the open passenger window, and told her, “Tristan is very polite…he apologized after he said the F-word four times.” Tristan smiled and made a face. I came clean and admitted, “He didn’t say the F-word.”

Tristan is continuing to improve. I’m jealous of his ability to progress so quickly. He still makes strategic errors, but that will improve with time.

By 9:23, I was in my car and heading home for dinner. Play tomorrow morning at Brommer is out of the question. Maybe next week.

Number of days on a court: 285
Number of total hours: 786

To start at the beginning of this blog click on “1st Post” in the menu above.

Building on Progress

Sunday, July 21, 2019 (Court Day #284)

44th day out playing lefty. Tennis elbow.

I arrived at Derby it set up at 8:50 a.m. Wayne beat me there. It was about 60° and lightly misting. (It would be fully overcast until about 1 p.m. though the mist didn’t last very long at all.)

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It was not my best day serving. I think I missed an average of two serves per game. Not good.

I got to play a game or two against David Black. Those are always challenging ones. Allan and I played against David and Patty. We gave them a run for the money, but as one might expect, we lost. I did make some nice shots—and some rotten shots—but it was a  game I could get more of. There was at least one point where David let me off easy—instead of putting it away, he angled it softly, passing on what likely would have ended the point. For his generosity, they lost that point!

I had my first ever game of skinny singles today. Deshen—the new Asian fellow whose name I couldn’t remember last time, pronounced “DAH-shen”—and I were the odd men out at the end of the day. We played just the right (my right) side of the court. He went up 1-0, but then I scored all the rest of the points until we got the chance to jump into a game of doubles, leaving the skinny singles unfinished at 5-1. Earlier, when I’d asked, he said he had played a good amount of tennis, but had stopped about five years ago. He’s got strong basic skills, but needs to starting using more soft shots instead of driving as frequently as he is. I was able to take advantage of that in our game of skinny singles.

The last game of the day was Grita and me against Charles and Deshen. Charles isn’t flashy but he’s darn consistent. He does a really good job slicing returns. He got me twice on those deep to my backhand at the baseline. When chatting right before leaving, he mentioned he was a 4.5 level tennis player. That explains his seemingly quick start in pickleball.

Cal was conducting a clinic after the morning club play was officially ended. (SCPC’s reserved court hours end at noon, but we regularly continue after that.) He had about eight players taking part.

It was nearly 1:30 when I finished locking up the club supplies and headed home.

Number of days on a court: 284
Number of total hours: 783.5

To start at the beginning of this blog click on “1st Post” in the menu above.

Finally!

Wednesday, July 17, 2019 (Court Day #283)

43rd day out playing lefty. Tennis elbow.

I was moving slowly. I arrived at Derby Park under foggy skies at a relatively late 9:30.

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Derby Park on my approach.

A first, Janet had opened the courts, temporarily replacing Dave Allenbaugh as the site coordinator for the day. I’d never seen her open before.

I had to wait a short time, but soon I was warming up with someone then into games.

There were two pre-teens signed up in a box. Sterling and his older sister whose name escapes me at the moment. I’d guess he’s about 7. Later, I learned that these two are Art’s grandkids. I’m a softy. I signed up in their box so they’d get to play and I tried to convince players to be a fourth. It wasn’t an easy feat, but I managed to convince Dyane—a tall, gray-haired regular—to join the box. We beat the kids 11-2, but it was a fun diversion.

I had my first game with a Santa Cruz High School student, Tristan. We played against Janet and a woman. Tristan and I won. Tristan will be very good if he sticks with it—he’s already competent. We won by something like 11-6. Walking off the court, I leaned in and said, “I’ll share a secret. I’m not left handed.” His mouth dropped open with a smile and he said something like, “Woah!”

There was a new middle-aged woman on the bench named Jasmine. I introduced myself and let her know that I’m the site coordinator for Derby on Sundays. She asked if there were any more paddles. Sure enough, I checked the official SCPC backpack and there were no paddles left. Between Art’s grandkids, new guy Bill, and another player or two, all the club loaner paddles were in use. I offered her my personal second paddle, which she gratefully accepted.

Jasmine is a quiet smiley sort who understands pickleball is a game. Wendy and played a game against her and Art and she took her errors in a humble and positive fashion. Wendy even commented on Jasmine’s “good sportsmanship”. In that game, I was proud of myself. I managed to run back and successfully return a deep corner ball that had been lobbed over my left shoulder (forehand side). The bonus—that I can’t take as much credit for—was it also being an amazing crosscourt drop shot. Some luck involved, but it was cool though!

In a game against Wendy, she commented that I “don’t let the ball bounce”. Maybe I was volleying out of the air, but I think she was actually referring to my half volleys. While at the net, I can to hit the ball back when it’s still very low. “It’s good,” she said, “it gets the ball back faster.” It is good that I can manage to “dig out” low balls left-handed.

Chris and I had a game against Ted B. and tall Asian new guy who has an unusual name. I was lucky to pronounce it even right after he told it to me. Good luck for me remembering it until I head it a few times. Regardless, he obviously had some prior racket sport experience. It was a very good game. At first, it was back and forth, then Chris and I pulled out ahead and won 11-6 or 11-5. It was nice to be in a game with solid intermediate players and hold my own. It felt like a milestone. I don’t know how long I’ll be forced to play left-handed, but I’m trying to make the best of it.

Today was a good day. For the first time in a long time, I felt good about my play. Sure, I had a few wild serves and a number of shots that didn’t go exactly where I wanted, but it wasn’t bad at all.

I checked the time: 12:09. Time for work.


Saturday, July 20, 2019 (No Play)

The day after I played, my left wrist was a little sore. Yep. Comes and goes. I can’t win. It seems something is always hurting. I was originally hoping to play yesterday morning, but work was too hairy. Too much to do and not enough staff. Thursday night for play was out since I had a nonprofit board meeting followed by dinner guests. At least work is closed on Sundays, so I’m almost guaranteed one day to play per week.

I still need to get a “tennis elbow friendly” paddle. On the “to do” list.

Number of days on a court: 283
Number of total hours: 779

To start at the beginning of this blog click on “1st Post” in the menu above.

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