Friday, January 15, 2010

Pickleball Junkie?

April 5th, is the beginning of softball season and I'm not in shape. I have been trying to get rid of what I call, "Dad passed away/Mother's in the nursing home stress weight", and at the same time get my arm in shape to play 3rd base. Not ready to panic yet, I have embarked on a new adventure in sports with the purchase of a pickleball racquet or perhaps it is really a paddle.

Since I have now played twice, I'm hooked. This funny tennis-like, badmitton-like,
racquetball-like, ping pong-like game is something that anyone can play and enjoy.
Whether you are 50 or 80 years young, you can learn this game, I think.

Convinced by a couple of ladies on our "Over 50" softball team, I thought I'd show up see what all the hype was about. It cost $3.00 to drop-in and play at the local church gym. It is always fun to meet new people and everyone was so very helpful to the newbie. After several minutes of instruction I was paired with one of the older gentlemen and we began hitting the baseball size whiffleball over the net in preparation for our match.

Easy, so I thought, until the other team proceeded to clean our clock. This is a sport of finesse. As I watched these players guide the ball with ease incorporating spin and some english, I was reminded of the story of the old bull and his triumph over the inexperienced youngster in the pasture as he went after the cows.

After two hours of play, I realized that pickleball is something that will get the old arm in shape and perhaps the bootie too! I'll keep you posted on my new addiction.

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