Category: Pickleball (Page 148 of 325)

Friday, July 22, 2022 (Court Day #521)

I didn’t play at Skypark on my regular Thursday night. Instead I was in a remote parking lot on the UCSC campus attending bagpipe band practice for the first time in 15 years.

Brommer Park was gearing up when I arrived at 9:01 a.m. under overcast skies. The clouds would burn off mid-morning, revealing a really nice day.

So, “collapse” the this entry title is a strong word. I was in a game with Ms. J. as my partner against Dan and George—an advanced group. Boy. The first half of the game was miserable. I made a dink into the net, I hit two shots past the baseline, I popped up a dink that Dan easily put away. My team was down significantly in short order. It was embarrassing. But it did get better. I tightened up my game and we tied up the score. They did go on to win, but at least we made a game of it. I can’t let games get into my head.

Taking Things Seriously

Allan K. was very serious this morning. And he got annoyed with me . . . our opponents (Mark D. and Martijn) were back near the baseline I was attempting a fake as if I was going to hit hard but instead I hit the ball softly—but not softly enough and Mark was able to get to the ball to return it plus I invited our opponents up to the net in the process. Bad all around. “You should have just put it away.” And later, “The middle of a game is not time to be fooling around.” Well, the shot worked great in a tournament years ago . . . but it had been bouncing high at the net, not bouncing high at mid-court. It was definitely a misjudgement by me. Everyone approaches rec play differently. For me—sure I like to win—but I much prefer getting better. I’d rather lose dramatically and learn something than to win and learn nothing.

And Out

I had to get to work and I left about 12:15. I wasn’t thrilled with my play today, but I wasn’t completely disappointed either.

Number of days on a court: 521
Number of total hours: 2,399.5

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Tuesday, July 19, 2022 (Court Day #520)

My former bagpiping instructor contacted me two days ago and asked if I would perform with the bagpipe band this coming Sunday for the annual ‘Wharf to Wharf’ race with its many thousands of runners. I haven’t performed with the band for over 15 years! While I do get the pipes out a few times a year, I never play them for very long and I’m quite rusty in band terms.

The reason I mention this is that I ended up staying late at work play the pipes tonight and try to prepare my body for the performance on Sunday. Bagpipes are unlike many other instruments in that they are very physically demanding. The there is also the aspect of brushing up tunes—they aren’t called “songs” in piping—some which I have not played since I left the band and dropped out of the competition circuit due to hand health problems. (The neurologist diagnosed it after testing as ‘overuse syndrome’.)

I got to Skypark about 7:30 p.m. and got a few games in. I think the most fun game was Terry (the barefoot player) and me against René and “Texas” Mike B. There was an unusually light crowd and by 8:30 there was only one game going—TK and friends. I ended up talking to Mike and René about half an hour after that and then headed home.

Number of days on a court: 520
Number of total hours: 2,396.5

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

Sunday, July 17, 2022 (Court Day #519)

I left my house at 8:30 a.m. It was overcast and a bit chilly. After spending several days in Las Cruces, New Mexico, I’m counting my blessings even more with regard to our local climate and temperatures.

There were a couple of players there warming up with the new city provided nets, which I knew about but hadn’t seen. I have to say I’m really impressed with the city’s Parks & Rec department. They didn’t buy the cheapest nets they could find, which is pretty much what they did last time. This time, they bought beautiful nets that have very heavy-duty casters so they can be rolled on and off the tennis courts easily.

Card

A few of us were notified of the new nets and I suggested having people sign a “Thank You” card for the city. On Tuesday last week, as Skypark, I had a few people that I’d previously seen at Derby Park sign the card. Today, I had a bunch of other players sign. I had modified the cover of the card, adding a pickleball and a paddle. on the inside, I’d added ”SANTA CRUZ PARKS & REC!”

Rally for the Ages

The game of the day was Allen and myself against Dave Cox and Charles. That game had one particular rally that was absolutely unheard of. The ball kept going back-and-forth with lobs and drives and resets and it was crazy—there must’ve been at least 20 to 30 shots back-and-forth in that rally. It finally ended as I hit the ball into the net just below the tape. It was disappointing that I messed it up, but it was an amazing rally. Allen and I did win that game 11-8. Allen has been playing very well.

Near the end of the session I played a game with a woman name Mandy against Eric and Renee. Mandy graduated from Soquel High School the same year I graduated from Harbor High School. She lives currently in Santa Barbara. She said she only comes to visit on holidays but she seemed to remember meeting me once before.

There was a family that I believe it was a grandfather, a father, and a son and also two young men visiting from Norway.

Mid-morning in the clouds all burned off then it got sunny, climbing into the high 70s. There is a slight breeze and, while it sometimes could interfere with a flight of a particular ball, for the most part it was just a cooling effect.

Play wrapped up for 1:45. I got the two last club nets stowed away, and was in my car at 2 o’clock and heading home.

Later, Online…

Some of the questions that get asked on social media…boy…

If people actually read the rule book, they’d know the answer. Yes, yes, yes, it’s the server’s point. The ball hit the opponent before hitting the ground, it’s a fault on that opponent regardless of where he is standing or not standing—or even if he is in the air!

Number of days on a court: 519
Number of total hours: 2,395.5

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