Friday, November 1, 2019 (Court Day #319)

I arranged to take the morning off. Our home weather station was reading 47 degrees outside. Nah, no sweatshirt. I left my house, got about three blocks away then realized that I’d left my new paddle on the dining room table, still protected in the padded manilla envelope. Oops. I went back and grabbed it.

I arrived at Brommer Park just before 9:30 a.m. and I took one of the last four parking spots in the lot. It was sunny. Games were going but not all the courts were full yet. It was a lighter attendance day and wait times to get onto courts were short for the whole session.

The newly resurfaced courts.

I got out my new ProKennex paddle. Today, I’d play right-handed. I’d see just how good this paddle and gel grip tape is in preventing more aggravation of my tennis elbow.

My first game was with Mike (curly gray hair) against Tony and I think it was Joe. Mike and I lost, but I’d attribute this loss to my rusty play. I was disappointed, but, heck, it’s—what?—my fourth day playing righty this whole year? And it’s November! I got a “Where were you hitting?” from Mike when I blew a forehand and it dropped on our side of the court, but after the game when I apologized for my poor play, he said, “I didn’t think you played that bad. And you’ve got a new paddle and are back to playing right-handed.” On one point, Mike made a series great stretch shots from the backcourt where he dropped the ball right over the net.

There was tall young man with dark hair and braces there named Jesse. He said he has been taking Kim’s pickleball class at Cabrillo. When I asked about his experience, he also said he used to playing middle school. “Did you go to Mission Hill?” “Yes.” “My daughter went there and she said she played pickleball there too.” He seems like an upbeat fellow. I didn’t play with him, he was signing up in the lowest skill level.

Kim and Grita were signed up in red. I popped over to Kim and asked if I could sign up in her box. I told her that I’d be playing right-handed. She agreed and I added my name. Steve (not lefty Steve, this is goatee Steve) was our fourth. It was a good back and forth close game. Steve and I won.

David Black, Kevin, and I were signed up in a box. (I asked permission.) Susi added her name. Surprisingly, David made a lot of mistakes (for him) in that game, but David and I still won.

Steve and Ted were signed up in red. I’m a bit surprised that Ted is signing up in red, but I wouldn’t expect him to be in a game with John Connor or Dean. Neither would I, though I’m the stronger player when I play righty. I added my name. I asked Dan—who was cleaning up as the session was over—if he had another game in him. He said he did. Awesome! We had a fourth. I was anxious to play well. Dan plays in games with the best of the local best. It did not start off well. I hit my first three service returns past their baseline. Ugh. That doesn’t impress a strong partner! I just told myself to relax and play normally. Dan’s only negative comment in the entire game was “You should be more of a bungee cord with me. Don’t get too far ahead.” (Dan was taking shots at the baseline and I was halfway up to the kitchen.) On the flipside, he had a number of nice things to say like, “That was a perfect drop shot” or “Good patience!” or “Nice kill!” or “Good serve!” Ted and Steve went up 8-6. Dan and I went on a five point run and won the game 11-8. (It helps when you don’t return serves out!)

It was great serving and playing right-handed. I was a little rusty, as you’d expect, but I made some nice shots and played solidly. My one recurring weakness today was low backhand dropshots—those were unsuccessful far too often. They did get a little better, but I’ll need to work that back up . . . if I can continue to play right-handed.

I left the courts at 12:30. With work looming, I didn’t have time to ice my forearm.

We’ll see how much damage I did playing righty today. There was one overhead that I could really feel my elbow. I’ll know within 24 hours.

Saturday, November 2, 2019 (No Play)

I’m cautiously optimistic today about my arm.  At the moment, it’s not overly sore from yesterday’s three hour session. Maybe it’s early, but maybe it’s actually ok. The bone at the right elbow seems more tender, but it’s hard to say yet.

Number of days on a court: 319
Number of total hours: 893.5

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