Tuesday, November 19, 2024 (Court Day #740)
Brrrr.
Well, today was a winter day with regard to temperature compared to the last time that I played. As I drove to Scotts Valley, it was a very chilly 50°F. It had been cold earlier too. When I had packed up this morning, I included a sweatshirt.
My wife had provided a shopping list so after play would be stopping off at the grocery store on my way home.
The last time I played before tonight was a long 9 days. Between my trip out of state for work, my daughter visiting, and extended family obligations, it was a chunk of days.
Skypark
It was just shy of 7 p.m. when I arrived at the courts and it was even colder when I got there, 48°F!
I decided tonight to start out being cold instead of dealing with another layer that I’d need to take off. I was questioning that decision during my first game, though. It was cold!
Tim, Matt, Alex
I played three games with Alex as my partner against Tim Feikert and Matt Babb. Alex and I got clobbered in the first game, losing 11-1. In the second game, we lost 11-4. In the third and final game, we lost 11-6. At least we were making progress. There were some pretty amazing rallies in those games.
Tim was done playing for the night after that last game. (While I typically arrive around 7 p.m., many are lucky enough to arrive around 4 p.m.!)
Jordan
The second to last game was Jordan and myself against Paul and Matt. That was a super fun game. At one point it was tied 11–11. Honestly, I can’t remember if we won or not, I think we lost. Jordan was playing a little little bit better than I was.
Aaron
Aaron Hicks and I played a game against Matt and Paul. We got clobbered in that game. It was 11-4 or 11-5. While not on par yet with the rest of us, Aaron continues to get better and better.
I wrapped up that last game with Aaron is my partner at about 8:25 p.m. Then I help take down a net.
Jay, whom I’ve gotten to play with a little bit more recently and who is a good player, said that he would see everyone in February. I don’t know where he’s going, but hopefully it’s someplace warm for the winter!
And?
Given it was a week and a half since the last time I played, tonight was a little rough. I had my moments, but I was expecting better play.
Matt Babb has developed this curving serve that careens sideways off the court. There are two that, while I got my paddle on them, it was unable to return the ball over the net. I can’t feel too bad about it, Jordan had the same experience. I used to have a similar serve, maybe I should develop it again. It’s been a few years.
Tim and Matt both got me at least once or twice on speedups tonight. Paddle up. Be ready!
Boot to the Head
Matt Babb mentioned that video that went viral this week. While meeting at the net at the end of a game in Mexico, one player brutally kicked his opponent in the head. Here’s the link again. (I mentioned it in my last post too.)
Local Connection to Nationals
A week ago, on November 12, Dieter Rothmeier posted to the Facebook group that he and Dan Martin played at Nationals in Mesa, Arizona on Sunday, November 10. Impressive that they came in 4th. It wasn’t until later that I realized that it was UTR 5.0 and not UTPR 5.0. UTR is the new system that tops out at 10 instead of 7, meaning a 4.0 is a 5.0 under this new system. Still, 4th in a 4.0-equivalent at Nationals is a strong finish!
Friday, November 22, 2024 (No Play)
Last night, I had a non-profit board meeting and couldn’t go play at Skypark. Alas.
AMPD, a new paddle company reached out to me and is sending me a paddle to try out. I imagine it’s pronounced “amped” and may call to mind the Amped line of paddles offered by Selkirk, though they are entirely different companies.
World Championships
The recent World Championships, not to be confused with the World Cup, ended up with over 4,200 players. They were projecting over 3,500 but blew past that to result with in the largest tournament ever. 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, were represented, along with over 30 countries.
Pickleball Tournaments
Pickleballtournaments.com announced that they’ve refined the ability to search for tournaments by offering a new interface with new filters. Finally! Their old system was a dinosaur requiring a LOT of miserable scrolling. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m hopeful that it’s better.
Pickleball Warm-up
This popped up somewhere, it seems useful, so here it is.
More Boot to the Head
A follow up to the vital post-game attack, the victim decided to not press charges.
https://nypost.com/2024/11/20/sports/pickleball-victim-breaks-silence-after-shocking-on-court-attack/
New Big Facility in NC
Gainsborough, North Carolina is opening a new pickleball facility featuring 40 courts.
https://www.yesweekly.com/sports/greensboro-set-to-host-one-of-the-largest-pickleball-facilities-in-the-us/article_106d3d0a-a761-11ef-af40-432be024a669.html
The Pickleball Islam?
Is it just me or does anyone else read “The Pickleball Slam” on Instagram as “The Picklebal Islam”?
Saturday, November 23, 2024 (No Play)
As I left him out at work after closing, Phil asked me if I had seen pickleball kick to face video. I was stunned. Phil is not remotely a pickleball player, yet, social media had served up this video for him to watch! Wow. It really has gone viral!
Mandatory Foam Balls
In Evondale, Georgia, noise complaints lead to a city commission to mandate the use of foam balls for pickleball play.
“What we’ve done is require the use of soft balls and require that all non-residents are charged a $5 fee per person when they make their reservation,” City Manager Patrick Bryant said. “We also went ahead and put language in the resolution to encourage folks to use noise reduction paddles. That’s not a requirement.”
…and…
“The use of foam balls will also be self-policed. The city commission passed a resolution, not an ordinance, so the police department cannot issue citations or fines for players who don’t use foam balls.”
Here’s an article about it:
https://decaturish.com/2024/11/avondale-estates-city-commission-approves-pickleball-regulations-at-willis-park
If it were my area, I’m not too keen on the concept of playing with foam pickleballs. I’m not so worried about the bounce so much as I would be about spin and ball compression.
Facebook Funny
A few weeks ago, on Halloween, I posted to The Pickleball Clinic group on Facebook. I figured it’d get some chuckles, but it had over 1,000 reactions and 180 comments!
Here’s the link to my FB post:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepickleballclinic/permalink/1592101524848683/
Number of days on a court: 740
Number of total hours: 3,013
Number of paid coaching hours: 96.5
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