Sunday, June 13, 2021 (Court Day #384)

I had some things to do in the morning then my wife I were driving to San Diego at 1:30 to visit her mother. I figured I could squeeze in a little play today. I opted for Derby Park since it’s closer to my house. I tried to park in the gravel lot to the north of the courts since I was late, but the gate were locked. I’d have to take my chances with street parking. Fortunately, there was a spot right across from the walkway into the park. I had remembered to bring my portable net this time and carried it in, but it turned out that there were plenty which others had brought.

By the entrance, barefoot Terry (wearing toe-shoes today), Maria, Tom M. and Sherry were doing what Terry referred to as “their own tournament”, so I’d have to find another court and other people to play with.

Eric, Ted B., and Tom S. were in a game. I’d have to wait. 

Leisurely Game

But there were four people sitting on the bench at the far side of the courts. I walked over and asked if anyone wanted to play on the adjacent open court. I’d always rather play—even a weak game—than not play. One on the bench turned out to be Larry from last week. Sally was the outgoing one who did most of the talking. A woman named Kim joined us. She would be my partner. Larry was the strongest of them, followed by Sally, then Kim. They are all lower-intermediate players at best, 2.5s and 3.0s. Even playing lefty, I was the strongest player. It was a close back and forth game, but Kim and I won. Too much back and forth—I really wanted this game to wrap up so I could get into the harder game that was waiting. Part of it was my own fault. There were at least 2-3 shots where I had winners but in my excitement either hit them into the net or hit them out.

Ted and Eric and Mike K. waited about five minutes for me to finish my game. Eric and I partnered up. It was like old times when we played tournaments. We took off to a fast start, but I was just making too many errors so they caught up and passed our score. Playing lefty isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Ted and I played one against Eric and Mike. It was a fairly close game, but we lost.

The next game was Tom S. and I partnered up against Eric and Ted. As one would expect, we lost that one. 11-4 or something to that effect.

Shortly after 11:30, it was time to go. Tom was ready to play with one of the free derby girls as a fourth—as I was—but Ted knew her play level and wasn’t interested. So that was that.

At least I now know who the stocky women were from last week. The Santa Cruz Derby Girls are a local popular roller derby team. I guess they decided to take up pickleball!

Number of days on a court: 384
Number of total hours: 1,087.5

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