Meadow Pointe Takes the Gold in Lee County Games

Here's a couple of pictures taken of Rich playing in the Lee County Senior Games at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Rec Center in Ft. Myers.

Rich with his mixed doubles partner, Linda Kramer. They won every single game they played - and took the Gold Medal. Awesome!!

Here is Rich playing with his doubles partner, Bruce Whitehead. They played some pretty tough matches - but took home the Bronze Medal.

Rich and I are both scheduled to play at the Heartland Senior Games in Sebring next week.

Disney opens re-branded ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando
by Leigh M. Caldwell (RSS feed) on Feb 26th 2010 at 9:50AM

.....Potrock says while no plans have been announced, there are more than 250 acres set aside for new development at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. And this spring, while dozens of softball, baseball, golf and soccer teams travel down from the Northeast and Midwest to thaw out and train, Potrock's staff is working on bringing down an event for a fast-growing, new sport: Pickleball.

Click on Title to read the entire story!

Hello - From Rich and Donna

Rich and I have been very busy this month. We held a beginner pickleball workshop at the Lake Magic Encore RV Park, not too far from Disney on SR 192. There were about 13 new players that showed up. Then we did a beginner pickleball workshop and demo over in Ruskin, Fl. This was at the Riverside Club, where more than 40 people showed up.

Then we got to play a little bit at the Winter in Paradise Wing Ding down in Sun City Center. Pictures above are the medal winners. Rich took the Gold in the mens doubles, and Silver in the Mixed Doubles, with Louann (in the pick shirt). I took the Gold in the Mixed Doubles with Gary (the guy standing behind me). It was a real fun day.

We are in Ft.Myers now for the Lee County Senior Games

See you all soon.

Wednesday Night Pickleball

On Wednesday night we had a great group out playing along with two new guests. Tim Hatzenbeler returned and Gary Ball from Sun City Center came over to play. Tim, Gary, Rich and Chris got their a little early to play some competitive games before the rest of us arrived. But then they joined the rest of us for some really good, and really fun games. Here's a few pictures of the group.

This is Gary Ball playing with Rich in one of the early rounds against Tim and Chris.

And here is Chris and Tim. These four played three or four games together. Chris said later how great it was to play with these guys and experience some different and varied speeds to the game.

Steve and Suzi - Always a tough team!

Here is Don and Pat - WOW - Way to go - Pat!!!

Here's a really good game going on with Tim and Liz (far court) against Judy and Suzi.

Here's Chris back on the court; this time partnered up with Renee.

Tim and Liz - Ready for the next shot!

There's Suzi again!!! This time teamed up with John.

And Rich back on the court playing with Bill.

a Good Volleyer Uses Good Bowling Technique

Coach Mo's Tip of the Month

A bowler first PAUSES to aim the ball at his target--- steps toward his target--- and follows through toward his target.

A good volleyer PAUSES to aim the face of his paddle at his target--- steps toward this target (if possible)--- and follows through toward his target.

Whenever possible PAUSE to aim (set the proper angle and direction of the face of your"

Tim Hatzenbeler Visits MP Players

On Monday night MP Players welcomed Tim Hatzenbeler. Tim hails from Stanwood,WA , but a business trip brings him to the Tampa area. He was looking for a place to take care of his pickelball twitch while away from home and we invited him to Wesley Chapel to play with the Meadow Point Players.

Rich and Donna called to warn everyone he was a good player and to bring their best game. Despite the cold weather about 10 players welcomed him to the courts and I understand Steve brought the hot chocolate! I wonder what Tim thought of us fussing about the weather. He showed up in SHORTS!!! Must be he had a good time with the group though - he said he'd be back on Wednesday!

Front Row: MP Players Judy and Cris, Back Row: Tim Hatzenbeler ( Stanwood, WA) with MP Players Bill, Steve and Renee. Also playing that night, but not shown in the pictures was MP Players Pat, Suzi, Liz and Don (taking the photo)

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !!!!

Despite the frigid temperatures a few brave pickleball players made it to the courts on Wednesday evening. Here is Don, Steve, Bill, Judy, ( I thinks that's Pat behind that furry hood!) Suzi and Chris with his whole family out to watch!! Don even brought along hot chocolate to help keep everyone warm!

Collier County Senior Games


Pickleball Doubles and Mixed Doubles

Wednesday, February, 24, 2010

North Collier Regional Park

15000 Livingston Park

Naples, Florida 34109

Time 9:30 am

Registration Fee $12 or $15 for late registration

Registration Deadline January 21, 2010


Contact Number 239 252-4000

for more information and registration forms.

Picklers Out on Sunday!

Rich and I just want to thank all of you who came out to play on Sunday. We were in Meadow Pointe today for a Holiday Dinner with the Bass's. Dinner with Don and Linda is always a good time, but we want you to know how much we enjoyed having you all come out and get in a few games on this chilly afternoon.

Here's few pictures of the group. (Donna is behind the camera!)

Ruthann - Doing great after knee surgery. She was so excited that she was able to play FOUR good games today. Rich and I hope to see you on the courts in Clermont or Peace River.

Mary and Renee - Mary - I think you actually made it through the day without landing on the groud. (I know you went down ducking from the ball one time - that doesn't count!) But those fingers sure do sting when it's cold and they get hit with the ball. Ouch!!!! And Renee - the very first MP resident that Rich and I taught the game to - I know that ball to the nose brought some tears to the eyes...........and Mark better have had dinner ready when you got home.

OK - now what's that saying "The family who Plays Pickleball together............. Bill and Judy have only been back in Florida for a couple of weeks, returning snow birds for NY State. Misty is Judy's daughter - and you would never know it's been nine or ten month's since she's been out playing!! That's her significant other - Al.

And here's Don - "It's up - so we get to server!@!" Don - another of the original MP Picklers - declared himself the winner of the Don Bass Invitational today. It's best not to argue about these things - so Don - Congratulations on getting everyone to shake their heads...........and agree with you!!!!

I don't know Bill - Did he get that ball back or not? The forms' not too bad for an old man who just finished dinner - and chocolate cake!!! And remember Don - Bill is there to back you up if you would just let some of those body shots go!!!

Mary and Renee - Playing against Judy and Misty. But it looks like Renee survived the ball in the nose - and Mary -if you play Bowling and Boxing Wii, like you do pickleball - I ain't playin! And where was Steve today?

Here's Mom (Judy, in the pink) and Daughter (Misty ) showing their pickleball skills agains Renee and Mary. Now Mom is really a good player!!! And Misty - there is no way it's been 10 months since you've been on the courts!!! No one can play that good with a wooden paddle!!!

Here's Rich with Al. There was a whole lot of laughter during this game. Al is officially dubbed the "Instant Replay Guy" Only at the Don Bass Invitational!!

Thanks Guys - You're the Best!!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

TO ALL OUR MEADOW POINTE

PLAYERS

AND THEIR FAMILIES