Pickleball players are getting their kicks on court
Game originated in Washington state, exercise aspect touted
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer
It is the latest rage taking the country by storm - a cross between tennis, badminton and paddle tennis - and it has finally arrived in Jackson.

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN Above: Stu Ginsburg (l) and Bob Bianchino enjoy a game of Pickleball at the Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes adult community, Jackson. Left: Alan Tamarkin practices his Pickleball skills during a game.

It's called Pickleball and it has drawn close to 100 residents of the Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes adult community to meetings, discussion groups, video viewings and on-court sessions to learn how to have a love of the game.

"We're running our fourth class with video and discussion for all to see and learn how the game is played," said Dr. Richard Zaback, who along with a committee of Pickleball experts, Arline Schubert, Elliot Rudick, Gerri Pisapia, Len Penziner and Barbara Elbaum, have turned the game into a community happening.

According to Zaback, "Pickleball started in 1965 when Congressman Joel Prichard, who lived on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, arrived home from work one day. The congressman saw that his backyard badminton court was in bad shape and he just wanted to try to create a new game."

Zaback said Prichard talked over his idea with his friends William Bell and Barney McCallum and they created Pickleball. They took the badminton court and put up a low net. A name for the new game was needed and Prichard named it after his dog Pickle, who loved to chase after balls.

"Pickleball became very popular out West, and five years ago I was visiting friends in Sun City, Arizona, and I saw this game," Zaback said.

Zaback, who had a stroke about 11 years ago that left him paralyzed on one side, said he really couldn't play the game due to his lack of mobility, but nevertheless he went onto the court, stood at the line and began to volley with the players who were there.

"I really didn't have to move very much," he said. "It was fun. It gave me the opportunity to feel like I was playing tennis again. Pickleball is a game and I thought I could play it, but because I have little or no movement (on one side), I really couldn't actively play."

The Pickleball craze has arrived in Jackson and (l-r) Alan Tamarkin, Stu Ginsburg, Tony Pinto, Bob Bianchino and Irwin Schubert are some of the residents at Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes who are enjoying the court sport.

But that didn't mean he couldn't teach others to play.

"This game is designed for the senior citizen who is not in great shape," Zaback said. "Many of us have knee, hip or back problems and can no longer play tennis. Many were tennis players and can no longer play the game, but when you get on a Pickleball court that's only 44 feet long and you only have to cover an area that's 15 feet by 10 feet, that allows you to play, compete and have a good time."

Pickleball can be played as singles, doubles or mixed doubles. In addition to adult communities, the game is also being played at elementary schools during physical education classes, in high schools and at colleges, at health clubs, recreation programs, summer camps and even at correctional facilities.

Pickleball is played with a 3-inch white perforated plastic ball and a lightweight alloy paddleball-type racket. The court is similar to a tennis court, but smaller. There are 7-foot safety zones on either side of the net which players must avoid and there is a 3-foot-high net that stretches across the playing court.

The game is played for 11 points, and scoring can only be achieved by the serving team. Each player continues to serve until a fault is made by his or her team.

When the game begins, the server must serve to the opponents cross court on a bounce, and the serve must be underhanded. The ball may not go in the 7-foot non-volley zone on the serve. The ball is hit back and must bounce once on the server's side, and then it may be played on a fly or on a bounce from then on until a point is scored.

Right now there are three temporary Pickleball courts at Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes, and as long as the winds are not too strong, the courts are always in use.

Four Seasons resident Jan Thompson, who recently began playing Pickleball, developed her own acronym for the game. She said Pickleball provides Physicality, Invigorating exercise, Cardio fitness, Keen minds, Less stress, Eye-hand coordination, Blossoming friendships, Amusement opportunities, Limber limbs and Life-long fun.

"I'm new to the game after moving here from the Midwest last spring," said Thompson. "I like this game particularly because it requires minimum equipment that has to be stored; it's conveniently located right here and requires no advance planning; and most of all, so far, the women just have fun with it. It moves at a fast pace and games can be finished in no time. It's truly a pick-up sport."

"I like the game because of the aerobic activity and also being able to play the game the whole year-round, weather permitting," said Anthony Pinto. "You can really have fun playing it."

Pinto said Pickleball is a competitive game and, of course, he likes that.

"However, even though it is competitive, for me it's more of a relaxed atmosphere of competition," Pinto said. "During the game

there's a lot of chitchat

generally, and it really is a nice social activity while getting exercise."

He said it is a game that can be played by anyone.

"I believe, because of the side-to-side movement during play, I'm able to exercise the parts of my body that don't get that type of movement from any other activities I engage in," he said. "I'm also able to keep active during the winter and fall months.

Resident Carole Lamberto said, Whoever thought a game called Pickleball could be so much fun?

"Pickleball can be played on many different levels," said Lamberto. "It may be played by seniors as well as by teenagers. The more you play, the better you get. The better you get, the more exercise you get. It's much better than sitting on a stationary bike indoors at the gym."

Zaback said other communities are playing Pickleball, and that could lead to some friendly competition in the future.

For more information visit the Web site www.pickleball.com or www.pickleballcentral.com on the Internet.