Monday, July 29, 2019 (Court Day #287)

47th day out playing lefty. Tennis elbow.

I decided to wear two pairs of socks today. The inside of my shoes are wearing out. Now looking for the first time in a while, the bottoms are starting to show significant wear too. Funny, aside from the sole and the interior, the shoes almost look new.

A little worn on the inside.

I ordered another pair on eBay last week—a display model for $15 shipped. Costco isn’t currently carrying the shoes anymore in store or online, so my options are limited for getting the same shoes. (“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” I just stick with what works.)

A full house at Brommer today. The poor dog died waiting for a court. (Kidding!)

It’d been a while since I’d played at Brommer. A few weeks, I believe. A number of people asked how my arm recovery was coming along. I told all of them that I figured it would be at least a few months yet.

Binh and I played a game against Judy—normally seen at Scotts Valley—and Janette, whom I don’t think I’ve met before. Pickleball is the great equalizer. Here are two women older than Binh and me yet, they weren’t pushovers. We finished up 11-6. Respectable. Janette uses a lot of spin and Judy can drive the ball well. Binh and I had taken a 2-0 lead and the game had never truly been in doubt.

In that game, Janette on the right side of her court and me on the right side of my court, she hit a ball across a bit high and to my right sideline. Without even thinking, I switched my paddle to my right hand and hit a sharp/shallow crosscourt winner out of her reach. “Nice shot!” It’s a good thing that wasn’t six months ago, it would have hurt like the dickens. As it was, it didn’t hurt. But we’ll see how it feels tomorrow.

Binh and I played against Mark G. and George twice, beating them both times. The second time 11-7. Both are good intermediate players. I made a number of brilliant drop shots from deep in the court. Something just clicked. It was amazing, I wish I could do that all the time. In that game, I got a few compliments on other shots from Mark and George. The cool thing is that these weren’t nice shots for a left hand, but simply nice shots, regardless.

It was 12:49 when I pulled my phone from my backpack and checked the time. Late! Time to head out then get to work.

The two pairs of socks did turn out to be more comfortable. I might do that more often.

SCPC Signage

Karen and Eric had suggested some verbiage changes to the “Introductory Sessions” court sign which I designed yesterday. I implemented the changes after work and sent it back out for input. The sign got the Leslie and Eric stamps of approval. Now, just waiting to hear back from Karen.

Shoes

My “display model” Kirkland athletic shoes arrived today. They look just fine and are well worth the $15. I found another display pair on eBay for about the same price and ordered those too.

USAPA Membership

My membership in the USAPA came up for renewal and with everything going on, I didn’t renew immediately. I think it expired on the 18th. But I believe there’s a 30-day grace period before they erase your rating. Regardless, I paid my dues today and I’m back to being a member in good standing.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 (No Play)

Pickleball appeared on the TODAY! Show on NBC. I watch very little television and didn’t see it live, but with the wonders of the Internet, anyone can watch it:

https://www.today.com/video/pickleball-takeover-anchors-play-in-a-game-on-the-plaza-64792133591

Tyson McGuffin and Lucy Kovalova were brought in to demonstrate the sport. Tyson took some liberties with the rules to make the game more fun and friendly. Smart move. Tyson and Lucy were touted as “experts” in pickleball. I guess you could say that! Tyson being the reigning singles champion and Lucy, who won the Triple Crown at the Nationals last year. (Gold in singles, doubles, and mixed.) You can’t go too wrong with that and both are photogenic. Tyson was at the Golden State Championships last year here in Northern California. He was partnered with Morgan Evans on the day. Tyson looked very serious while there and I didn’t approach him to sign the paddle I was using at the time. I kind of regret that now.

SCPC Signage

Karen suggested some changes to the SCPC intro sessions sign. Some more minor tweaking for me to do, but pretty much done.

Number of days on a court: 287
Number of total hours: 793

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Sunday, July 28, 2019 (Court Day #286)

46th day out playing lefty. Tennis elbow.

I arrived at Derby about 8:50. New guy Bill was already there, as was Chris. It was a quick start today, we had three games going just a few minutes after opening time. Nonetheless, it was a quieter day, topping out at about 35 people. The annual Wharf to Wharf race was today and some players participate in that in some fashion.

Janet was celebrating her birthday week by bringing donuts to share with everyone, Binh and I both had two each. I should have had none, but it is what it is—they were good!

Bryan, Mark G.’s friend from San Jose, visited Derby today. Binh said Bryan was down surfing—a new thing for Bryan, Binh said—then stopped afterward to play pickleball with us. Bryan is a 5.0 player and can make us look silly with little effort.

When Bryan would make an great sharp “angle it off the court” winning shot, I would bust up laughing. He does it so well, it just makes us look incompetent! He’d ask, “Why are you laughing?” “It’s just so amazing!”

I have to say, Tristan is really coming along. It’s amazing to be young. He’s just absorbing and adjusting so fast. There are holes in his game, but he’s quick and is already managing to add spin to shots. Binh and I played against him and Ted B. and lost both games—though in the second, Binh and I had lead for nearly the entire game but lost 12-10.

Bryan told me, “You are doing really well with that left hand.” Bryan played a couple games left handed himself. I can say that with my nearly eight months of practice, I’m better than Bryan when we both play left-handed. But both right-handed, he’d wipe the court with me—I know from past experience!

It was just after 1 p.m. when I left. I was thinking I might get one more game, but too many people had to leave.

Graphics/Club Signage

Karen Long sent out a draft for a SCPC sign to be posted at the courts. It had come to Leslie, Eric, and me. I had about 15-20 minutes to kill before my wife and I left the house, so I popped into Adobe InDesign and redesigned it and then sent it back for input.

Number of days on a court: 286
Number of total hours: 789.5

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

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.

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.