It’s a game that has nothing to do with spicy pickles yet bears the name Pickleball. Admittedly, it’s not even connected to food. Although, you will hear the word “kitchen” often while playing it.
“Father, you should join to play pickleball,” Joe Tesche offered an invite.
“Tell me more about it,” I said. “I never heard of a game with that name.”
Joe continued, “It’s the fastest-growing sport in North America.”
My interest surged. Joe quickly added, “If you play paddle or racket-based games, pickleball is not a challenge.”
Pickleball combines tennis, badminton and ping pong to make it a cool game for all age groups to enjoy. You will see a badminton court with a net, like the one used in tennis and a bit bigger ping-pong (table tennis) styled paddle and a whiffle ball.
“My favorite is ping-pong, and have played badminton and tennis,” I said.
And I began my first day with Pickleball. Jane, Joe’s wife, initiated me with basic rules as we drove to the West End Peace River outdoor arena.
Then we had Andreas to share professional advice. Andreas, Joe’s son-in-law, is playing in competitive Pickleball at the national level.
“The strategy is to be closer to the kitchen line,” says Andreas. “The better you get, the softer shots you play.”
Andreas assures that anyone can play at the intermediate level, unlike tennis or golf, where one has to wait to play at a higher level.
It’s a game that makes you stay out of the kitchen and “catch the opponent making a mistake.”
“Aim at dropping a soft shot inside the kitchen area,” Andreas adds. “It makes the opponents difficult to hit hard.”
Now, Mile Zero Complex, Grimshaw, has Monday evening spots reserved for the interested participant.
It’s a fun, easy game. The strategy makes it entertaining.
Something for you …
Need funny and thought-provoking stories about priests, buy on amazon The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read
Check out my spiritual videos on YouTube: Feroz Fernandes
ferozfernandes.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Leave a Reply