Pickleball Hitting Local Courts

Pickleball is a sport that is growing in the area.

Many may not have heard of it, but it is just starting to become big locally, even though it has been around for over 40 years. It is an official sport with tournaments held all around the country

“It is an outdoor sport that combines the rules of Ping-Pong, tennis and badminton,” Stan Shoemaker, Philadelphia pickleball ambassador, said. “We use paddles similar to Ping-Pong [and] racket ball. We play on a badminton style court with a lower net than tennis net. The scoring is just like tennis. The balls that we use have little holes in them like a wiffle ball.”

It is a game for all ages. Since it doesn’t have as much physical activity as tennis, older players find it easier to play.

“It is a great workout,” Dan Wheeler, a pickleball player, said. “It is not as much pounding as tennis. You don’t have to run at great distances. There are still a lot of actions because the rallies are longer. You have to do a lot of bending, twisting and quick reactions. It is a great workout that way. The more skilled you are, the better the rallies are.” 

With the sport growing, players are looking to expand it in their own communities. Wheeler also adapted it for a playground in East Mount Airy where he works.

“I’ve known about it for about 30 years,” said Wheeler. “I made some weak attempts at starting it at a couple city playgrounds. When Stan started a meet-up group for it in December of 2008, I got really interested.”

Wheeler and Shoemaker have now helped to bring the sport to Upper Moreland Township, where pickleball is played on the tennis courts at .

The game is easy to set up. With a set that comes with racquets and balls, it is inexpensive to start playing. Players can play singles or doubles. It is the perfect sport to play to get an entire family involved. Usually played outdoors, there must not be too much wind since the ball is light.

“Fathers and sons can play,” said Shoemaker. “Mothers and daughters can play also. It is a really social sport. It is easy to learn, which helps. It takes about 10 minutes with little instruction to learn it. To get good at it takes a little bit of time.”

The racquet is shorter than a tennis racquet, which makes a huge difference. Since the ball has holes in it, like a wiffle ball, it makes the ball travel slower, also. The sport may have similarities with tennis and badminton, but there are noticeable differences once you start playing.

“The hand-eye coordination is easier with a shorter racquet compared to a tennis racquet or a squash racquet,” said Wheeler. “With that said, it is easier to get clean hits, so you can get longer rallies. The ball goes a lot slower than a tennis ball, also. Even when you smash it hard, the other team still has a chance to retrieve it. It makes the game fun.” 

Practice makes perfect when it comes to pickleball. That is why those who are intersested in participating can have the opportunity to play pick-up games at Masons Mill Park Tuesday at 6 p.m.

“We have a bunch of adults right now,” said Shoemaker. “Last time someone brought their son who was just 18. It is possible for the younger kids to get into it. It would be a great sport for teenagers and even smaller kids.” 

There will also be a pick-up game July 30 at 10 a.m. Hosting the pick-up games on a weekend brings more players. The last time a weekend pick-up game took place, the gathering brought over 30 players.

“You just have to be interested in getting out there,” said Shoemaker.  “Anybody can play. You have to be willing to play.”

Shoemaker is hoping that the more the sport grows, the more residents can enjoy it. 

“It is growing all over the United States,” Shoemaker said. “It is making its way east now. Hopefully the people that are in it now will continue to compete cumulatively in it. As soon as we have more players in it, we will run more events.”

For more information, visit Pickleball Meet-up Group of Philadelphia and Suburbs.