Wednesday Night Pickleball

Rich and I are back home and out playing with the Meadow Pointe group for the first time in a long time. We had a great turnout tonight. Played at the MP II courts. Who was there???

Renee, (and Mark stopped by to say hello..) Don, Steve, Brad, Chris, Bill, Judy, Ruthann, Al and Marilynn. Jaden ( Marilynn's grandson, was also there. He loves to run and fetch the balls!)

Met Chris for the first time tonight. Great guy; Great Player. And the group has really been working on their game. We had some good close games tonight and lots of fun. Everyone seems to be looking forward to our upcoming tournament and pick-nic. Mark brought a copy of the article that was printed in the monthly Meadow Pointe News Bullitin. Great Job Renee!!!! We need to check in with Rob and Betty Ann to see how they are doing. Betty Ann had a pretty bad fall on the courts a few weeks back and everyone is hoping she is feeling better. Hope to see some more of the crew out to play on Friday.

Brad and Ruthann seem to have the game under control. Brad's son will be joining in the competition at our upcoming round robin tournament.

Don (left) and Steve. I guess Steve cant' believe he missed that shot. Looks like Don can't either!! Good luck with the knee surgery next Thursday, Steve.

There's Jaden. Resting for a second after chasing our stray balls. What a cutie!!!

Rich and Bill (front) in a great match with Chris and Judy.

See ya'll on Friday.

1ST Annual

SPRING PICK-NIC AND

PICKLEBALL ROUND ROBIN


WHEN: SUNDAY MAY 10, 2009

WHERE: MEADOW POINTE II COURTS

SCHEDULE:
3:30 pm – WELCOME AND REGISTRATION

4:00 PM – ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT BEGINS

6:00 PM – PICK-NIC/POTLUCK AND AWARDS CEREMONY IN THE PICNIC AREA BEHIND THE COURTS/POOL. BRING YOU SWIMSUIT AND COOL OFF IN THE POOL!

e-mail for more inforamtion: rddonald2@verizon.net or rglassman@tampabay.rr.com

CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW WITH COACH MO

Coach Mo is back with his tip of the month and he now has four new training videos.

This month he'll tell you how to win 20% more games without learning any new hitting techniques. Just learn how to tell when your opponents ball is going OUT!!!

While you're out there, check out his four new training videos...............

The Overhead

Vollies

Backhand Groundstroke

Forehand Groundstroke

For this and MORE..............just click on

THE PICKLEBALL COACH

Decision Made by USAPA on new APIKE Paddle

I hope that all of you will take the time and read the article on the USAPA website regarding the new APIKE Paddle. Please note that USAPA does not feel that the paddle is compliant with official USAPA Rule 2.E , regarding the ability to put additional spin on the ball.

What this means is :

• It is not a USAPA approved paddle
• It can not be used in any USAPA Sanctioned Tournament

USAPA has also posted all comments received from individual players across the country. I hope you'll take the time to read both the article and the link to individual comments.

Read More on USAPA Decision on APIKE Paddle

MORE ON THE APIKE PADDLE

A week or so ago, I posted the information from the USAPA regarding the APIKE paddle. At this time there has been no further information released from USAPA that I am aware of, however other sites are forecasting that the paddle will have some sort of ban.We did send our comments to USAPA regarding the safety of the paddle and it's impact on the game.

Here is a link to a similar article on the Tanglewood website.

APIKE PADDLE

So that everyone in our group is aware of what is being said about the paddle, Meadow Point player Pat Zwolenski asked that we share this article with our group.


APIKE PADDLE CAUSING CONTROVERSY

written by Ron Farra

A controversy has ensued with the recent introduction of a new Pickleball paddle called the APIKE Paddle. The new paddle according to reports circulating among many players nationwide may drastically change the game of Pickleball. Some have called for it to be banned!
Apparently the paddle is constructed quite differently from others paddles on the market using foam in its core rather than the now typical composite materials. The new paddle is reported to help players apply a great amount of spin to the ball giving an unfair advantage to the users. It has also been reported that the ball comes off the paddle at a very high velocity such that it is very difficult for even elite players to return the ball successfully. It is this speed which has caused many players to appeal to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) to ban the new paddle from senior games and official tournaments. Some injuries have been attributed to the use of the APIKE Paddle and fear is being expressed about injuries to the head and eyes when players are hit by a pickleball traveling at such high speeds.
“I played with an APIKE Paddle for about 2 weeks,” said Jim Plotnik, formerly a Capital District USAPA Ambassador. He reported that balls hit by the APIKE Paddle come off the paddle silently. “Whereas players now can hear the struck ball and can sense how hard or soft it has been hit, the new paddle makes no noise when a ball is hit. This can be a little intimidating,” admitted Plotnik.
Wayne Tucker and Pete Briscoe have agreed to use and evaluate a sample APIKE Paddle loaned by Barney Myer of Pickleballstuff.com. They are expected to involve others in a two week trial and report their findings to the USAPA Board of Directors before the next USAPA meeting (April 5, 2009).
Those interested in participating in the APIKE Paddle trials may contact Pete Briscoe (346-3132) or Wayne Tucker (399-9888).

Meadow Pointe Pickler - Steve Long

Meet Steve Long

You will always recognize Steve when you come to see us play. He is that single guy with both knees wrapped for support. Yes, his knees give him some problems, but you wouldn’t know it when you see him on the courts. Steve is originally from Hammonton, NJ, an alumni of Richard Stockton State College of New Jersey and the father of two sons. He has had one of his son’s out on the courts to play with our group. Like father, like son……..they both play very well.

Steve spends his days working as a Contracts Manager, and when he’s not playing pickleball, he enjoys boating, and playing poker. He enjoys most sports and plays or has played golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball and racquetball. But we have him hooked on pickleball now!!

Meadow Pointe pickleball players Pat and Suzie Zwolenski introduced Steve to the game, and in turn Steve invited his close friend Mary Jones. Steve rarely misses a chance to play. He enjoys both the social side of the sport and the challenge of the game and has joined other Meadow Pointe players in fun pickleball events with the Kings Point Pickleball League in Sun City Center.

Steve just recently had surgery on both of his knees. Nothing can keep him off the courts. I think he was back out playing within just a few days!!!!