Good Questions From Players

Quite often Rich and I get questions about the rules of the game of pickleball. We thought these particular questions we recently received from a friend of ours were worth sharing.

Have you encoutered this before - and did you know how to handle ??

Faye: I was playing doubles, the other team was serving to me. The non-server had his back to me walking toward his position on the baseline when the server went into his service motion. I raised my non-paddle hand and said wait. He was already in the process of serving and continued the serve. The serve was good but I did not return it. He questioned why I stopped the point. I explained that his partner was not in position and it distracted me and I had called a let. (I didn't actually call "Let" but "Wait".)

He had several questions after the game -- just wanting to learn the rules.

1. If I had not stopped play, would his serve have been a good serve? (Even though his partner was not in position.)

Answer: Yes his serve would be considered good. The server only needs to make sure that the person receiving the serve is ready. His partner and the partner of the receiver can be anywhere on the court they want to be.

2. My question: Was I entitled to call the let since his partner was not in position?

Answer: NO. If his partner was distrating you BEFORE he started his service motion, you could hold up you hand to let the server know you were not ready. There is nothing in the rules that says his partner must be back at the base line. His partner can be anywhere on the court, so you can't call a let for him not being in the proper position. The server only needs to make sure that the RECEIVER is ready. If you put your hand up AFTER the service motion began - his serve continues.

3. Pertaining to a different game: He was playing doubles on court A when a player fell on court B. He called a let because of the distraction of the player falling. Was that a legitimate let??

Answer: NO - It would not be a legitimate let even if it was on the SAME court. Play continues even if your partner falls.

MP's Pat Zwolenski brings Boy Scout Troop to our Courts

Story and pictures submitted by our very own Pat Zwolenski....Thanks Pat!!!

Here is a picture of Boy Scout Troop 180 having their Tuesday night meeting at the Meadow Point I Pickleball Courts.

The previous Tuesday, USAPA member and former Scoutmaster Pat Zwolenski, spent time at the troop meeting explaining the history of Pickleball and the rules of the game. Then the next Tuesday they met at the courts and under the watchful eyes of Suzi Zwolenski, Pat Zwolenski, Steve Long, and Chris Atkinson played Pickleball.

There were a few boys who really excelled and challenged Steve and Chris to a game after the other Scouts had left. Although they played very well, they ended up losing to Steve and Chris. Steve and Chris will be presented Troop 180 paperweights to thank them for their support.

Here is a pictue of Boy Scout Troop 180 with their Meadow Point Pickleball Friends. Steve is the one hidden behind one of the boys and holding paddles up like Mickey Mouse ears over two boys.

Sounds like some of these guys are pretty good players- Please invite them back to Meadow Pointe any time......Keep them practicing and we'll set up a Troop 180 Round Robin!!!

Meadow Point Players Medal in Heartland Games

On Friday and Saturday, March 5th and 6th, the Heartland Senior Games were played at the Tanglewood Community in Sebring, Fl. Rich competed in both the Doubles and the Mixed Doubles competition. He played with Stan Michalski, an RV'er at Torrey Oaks in Bowling Green. They won there first match easily, but then lost. This was a single elimination - so they did not medal.

In the mixed doubles - Rich and his partner Linda Kramer, from Tanglewood were the favorites to win. Their medal match was great - a real nail biter. They lost the first game, but came back and took the next two. Here they are with their Gold Medals.

Donna did not play in the mixed doubles, but finished with the Bronze Medal in the Ladies Doubles competition, with her partner Karen Wolf - an RV'er from Peace River in Wauchula. This was Karen's first time competing in a tournament.

It was a great tournament. We all had a great time. Here is a link to more about this Tanglewood Event!!!!

Heartland Senior Games

Rich will be playing again in the Fit for Life Games in Punta Gorda, and both of them will be competing in the Good Life Games later this month in Seminole. Watch for results!!!!!

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!