Pickleball In Wilkes-Barre: What To Know Before You Hit The Court

Pickleball isn't exactly a niche hobby anymore. The easy-to-learn paddle sport has found fans of just about every age and skill level, and the Wilkes-Barre area is no exception.

If you've heard friends talking about "the kitchen" but still aren't entirely sure what they're talking about, getting started is easier than it may look. You don't need years of tennis experience or much equipment — just a paddle, a ball and somewhere to play.

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And around Wilkes-Barre, there are several options. The city added outdoor pickleball courts at Barney Farms Park, while the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA offers indoor play. A short trip across the Susquehanna River into Kingston opens up additional indoor options.

Here's a beginner-friendly look at pickleball, from the rules you actually need to know to places to play in and around Wilkes-Barre.

So, What Exactly Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a court smaller than a tennis court, with a net, a plastic ball with holes and solid paddles. It can be played as singles or doubles, although doubles is especially common.

Part of the appeal is that you don't need to master a long list of rules before getting into a game. USA Pickleball's beginner guide describes the sport as one that can be played by people of different ages and skill levels, with relatively simple fundamentals for newcomers to pick up.

That doesn't mean the game can't get competitive. There's plenty of room to work on strategy, placement and technique once you've gotten the hang of it. But if your immediate goal is simply to get outside with some friends and figure out which end of the paddle to hold, you can do that, too.

What Rules Do Beginners Actually Need To Know?

You don't need to memorize the entire official USA Pickleball rulebook before your first game. A few basics will at least help you know what's happening on the court:

• The serve goes crosscourt. Play begins with a serve hit diagonally into the opposite service court. Traditional volley serves use an underhand motion, and a drop serve is also permitted.
• Let it bounce — twice. The receiving side has to let the serve bounce before returning it, and the serving side then has to let that return bounce before hitting it. After those two bounces, players can volley the ball out of the air.
• Stay out of "the kitchen" when volleying. The kitchen is the non-volley zone extending 7 feet from the net on each side. You can enter it to play a ball that has bounced, but you can't volley while standing in the zone or touching its line.
• Traditional games are generally played to 11. Under traditional side-out scoring, only the serving side scores points, and a team must win by at least two points.

USA Pickleball has a more detailed guide to serving, scoring and the kitchen rule if you'd like to know a little more before showing up for your first game.

What Do You Need To Play Pickleball?

The basic equipment list is refreshingly short: a pickleball paddle, pickleballs, a net and a court. If you're playing at a public court with a permanent net, that makes things even easier.

Wear comfortable athletic clothes and supportive sneakers or court shoes, and bring water — especially during warmer weather. If you're trying the sport for the first time, there's also no need to turn paddle shopping into a major investment before you've played a single game. Check with a recreation program, club or the friends you're joining to see whether equipment is available to borrow.

Where Can You Play Pickleball In Wilkes-Barre?

Wilkes-Barre residents can find both outdoor and indoor places to play, with additional options just across the river in Kingston. Before heading out, it's smart to check with the park or facility for current schedules, access requirements, reservations, programs or court closures.

Barney Farms Park

Gordon Avenue, Wilkes-Barre

For an outdoor game within the city, Barney Farms Park in South Wilkes-Barre is a good place to start. Wilkes-Barre created new recreational space at the 13-acre neighborhood park, including pickleball courts that opened in 2023.

The park has two outdoor pickleball courts, along with tennis courts, a baseball diamond, basketball facilities and the Nathan Gray Memorial Playground. The pickleball project also included new sidewalks and benches and improvements to the surrounding area.

Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA

40 W. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre

For players who would rather head indoors, the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA offers pickleball as part of its recreation programming. The downtown Y has indoor court space and has offered organized pickleball play for different experience levels.

Because YMCA programming and gym schedules can change, check with the Wilkes-Barre branch for current pickleball times, participation requirements and guest access before heading over.

Empower Sports Academy

705 Rutter Ave. Rear, Kingston

Just across the river in Kingston, Empower Sports Academy offers year-round indoor pickleball. Players can reserve court time for casual games, participate in open play, practice independently or arrange instruction.

The facility also offers organized leagues and other pickleball programming. Since availability and open-play opportunities can vary, Empower recommends contacting the facility for current details before heading over.

Friedman Jewish Community Center

613 S.J. Strauss Lane, Kingston

Another nearby option is the Sidney and Pauline Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston. The JCC offers pickleball as part of its recreation programming, giving Wilkes-Barre-area players another indoor option just across the Susquehanna.

Check directly with the JCC for current pickleball schedules, fees and participation requirements, since programming and court availability can change.

What Does "Open Play" Mean?

If you're new to pickleball, you'll probably run into the phrase "open play." Rather than reserving a court with the same group of friends for an hour, open play generally means players rotate in and out of games with other people who show up during a designated period.

The exact setup varies from place to place, so don't assume every open-play session works the same way. Some are divided by skill level or use particular courts, while others are more casual. If you're unsure whether a session is beginner-friendly, check with the organizer or recreation department before you go.

Can Anyone Play Pickleball?

One reason the sport has attracted such a broad following is that it can be adapted to different ages and ability levels. The smaller court means players cover less ground than they would in tennis, and newcomers can start with a fairly basic serve-and-return game before worrying about more advanced shots and strategy.

Still, pickleball is a sport. Warm up, wear shoes that provide good support for side-to-side movement and play at a pace that makes sense for you.

Ready To Give It A Try?

You don't need to know every rule, own an expensive paddle or have a perfectly executed "dink" shot before showing up at a court.

Learn the basic serve, remember the two-bounce rule, stay out of the kitchen when you're volleying and go from there. Whether you're looking for a new way to get moving, meet some neighbors or finally find out why everyone seems to own a pickleball paddle now, Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding area have several places to give the game a try.

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