Submitted by Russell Elefterion

USAPA Ambassador, Tampa, FL

Thank you for participating in last year's inaugural Hillsborough County Indoor Pickleball Championships at All People's Life Center.  I want to invite you and all your pickleball friends to this year's tournament being held on Thursday, April 10th and Friday, April 11th, 2014  at the same site (All People's Life Center-6105 E. Sligh Ave-Tampa).

This year's tournament will include the following improvements based on player evaluations:

Sanctioned Tier-4 USAPA Tournament

Dry-fit tournament shirts to all first place winners (Of course all players will receive t-shirts)

Ability levels from 2.5-3.0, 3.5-4.0 and 4.5-5.0

USAPA Pre-Certified Officials (A first for any tournament in the USA)!!!!

All Proceeds benefiting the "Strongdogs" - Men's USA Wheelchair Basketball Team!

Sponsorship by Hillsborough County "Friends of the County Parks"

Round Robin Games to 11 points!!! (which means you'll play at least 4-6 teams)!!!

Metals & Awards 1st-3rd place in each division

Last year's tournament had 114 players participating and we hope to have even more playing this year!  Play will be:

Thursday 9am-12noon   Women's Doubles

Thursday 1pm-4pm         Men's Doubles

Friday       9am-2pm         Mixed Doubles

Attached is our Flier and Registration form.  If you have any questions simply email me back!

Happy Pickling!

Russell Elefterion

Program Specialist-Seniors

Parks, Recreation & Conservation

Hillsborough County BOCC

p: 813.264.8541   f: 813-269.1364

e: elefterionr@hillsboroughcounty.org

w: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks

Tournament Flyer

Registration Form

Saturday, March 1 2014: Men’s  and Woman's Division

Sunday, March 2 2014: Mixed Division 

10am-5pm Both Days (or until finish) 

$10 per player - $5 for any additional division. 

 Age Divisions* 50  ans under,  51-64,  65 and over

 *Depending on amount of sign-ups and agreement by all participants, format may be changed to “Open”.

 To sign up, please visit the front desk at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center or call 727-841-4560

CLICK HERE for Registration Form

Stay Out of the Kitchen!

One of the ambassadors up in the Jacksonville Beach area posted this in their recent PickleGram that she sends to the local players.  I thought it was a good write up and wated to share with our players.


A clip from a Pickleball website in regards to the Kitchen:

 “Recently watching a match where a player, (the world famous Jim Hackenberg)

while returning one of those aggravating net-nippers, literally went into the kitchen and laid down during a point.

 His opponent, Josh Grubbs, then tried to hit a dink shot into the kitchen, intending to land it on the now-prone Hackenberg. However, the dink landed successfully in the kitchen, but missed Jim. Jim calmly sat up, while still in the kitchen, and hit the ball back over the net for a winner.

The bottom line is, you can start a point in the kitchen if you want. It's your kitchen. Use it whenever you like. Yes, you can go into the kitchen any time you want and stay as long as you like. Just don't hit a ball out of the air while you are in there.

 And remember, when you leave the kitchen, both feet must be on the ground outside the kitchen before you can hit a ball out of the air”.

Hi to all Pickleball Players ,

We would like to announce some upcoming dates for tournaments in and around our region.  We are proud to be the tournament directors for these tournaments and we hope that you will all make an effort to support these tournaments as players and/or volunteers.

Tournament information and registration sheets will be available on the USAPA website, the Atlantic South Region website,  and on www.pickleballspecialties.com after May 1, 2013.  We are working on a couple of more tournaments that will be announced as soon as the details are all set.

June 15, 16 2013 :        Orlando ClearOne Doubles Invitational, Orlando, Florida

                                                     Sanctioned Tier 4 Skill/Age Combination (Indoor)                                                                                                          

                                                            

August 17, 18 2013:     Palmetto Indoor Pickleball Doubles Invitational, Aiken, S.C. 

                                                       Sanctioned Tier 4  Skill/Age  Combination.                                                                

                                              Social meet and greet on Friday evening August 16.                                                                                                 

                                                

Sept 13,14,15 2013:     Battle of Franklin, Franklin, Tennessee  

                                                Sanctioned Tier 4   Age Level Tournament

Oct 25,26,27 2013:       Tampa Bay Senior Games, Tampa, Fl  

Nov 1, 2, 2013:              Myrtle Beach Seaside Classic, Myrtle Beach SC,

                                              Sanctioned Tier 4 Age Level Tournament

                                     Dinner Dance on Thursday night, October 31

Dec 14, 15 2013:          4th Annual Riverbend Classic, LaBelle, Fl  

                                             Sanctioned Tier 4 Skill/Age Tournament

Jan 31, Feb 1,2 2014:   Atlantic South Regional, Naples, Florida  

                                             Sanctioned Tier 3 Age Level Tournament 

                                     Social dinner Thursday, January 30, 2014                                           

March 21, 22, 23 2014:  East Naples Skill Level Tournament, Naples, Fl.    

                                            Sanctioned Tier 4 Skill/Age Tournament

Registration forms, flyers, and on-line registration will be available after May 15  for the June, August and September tournaments.  Check back often for additional tournament forms.  

We look forward to seeing all of you!!

Cindy Eddleman

Nancy Meyer

Tournament Co-Directors

USAPA Ambassador from Wesley Chapel

Don Bass,
Ambassador, Wesley Chapel, Fl

Our very own Meadow Pointe Player, was recently appointed as the USAPA Ambassador for Wesley Chapel, Fl.   The following appears on the USAPA Atlantic South Region Ambassador Profile page................  He joins more than 50 other ambassador who represent the State of Florida.

Don was born in Brooklyn, New York and af  ter living most of his life in Carmel, New York, was transferred to the Tampa Bay area in 1990 by AT&T along with his wife Linda. He is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University and is now actively engaged in his second career, this time as a Broker Associate selling residential real estate throughout the Tampa Bay area. Don was introduced to Pickleball by our current Regional Ambassador Donna Donald and her husband Rich (ambassador, Florida Heartland) back in the winter of 2007 and fell in love with the game. He continues to help organize a group in Wesley Chapel that plays in the Meadow Pointe (MP) community. He has encouraged new players in the surrounding community and taken part in demonstrations at local schools and neighboring communities helping them get their groups started. He plays 3 nights a week with his group in MP and wishes he had the time to play more. He hopes to take a few of the MP players with him to the upcoming tournament in New Port Richey, FL and then to Temple Terrace, FL to help introuduce pickleball at another new pickleball facility in Tampa Bay.

Congratulations, Don!

MP Players on the Road

Submitted by
Don Bass


 On Saturday, January 12th, eight of our local players from Meadow Pointe (MP) took part in the Warm Up to the Geezer Meister tournament doubles competition in New Port Richey

Congratulations to our winners! Karen Hinnen and Marilyn Howell - First Place in the Ladies Doubles,

Chris Atkinson and Zach Hinnen - First Place in the Men's under 55 Doubles -

Tom Saxton and Ernesto Diaz - Second Place the Men's under 55 -

....... and on Sunday four of us competed in the mixed doubles.
Karen Hinnen and Zach Hinnen won 2nd Place in the under 55 category.

 Below is a group photo!

 On Monday January 13th, five members of MP joined me and Hudson, FL ambassador Lee Boerckel, in presenting a pickleball demonstration at the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex.

Special thanks to our MP volunteers  that joined me :Renee Glassman, John Hutton and Suzi and Pat Zwolenki. The turnout was light as seen in the photo, but several more ladies attended later in the two hour session.  While it was not very well organized by the  Recreation Center, our  hope is that a few of the employees at the Recreation Complex learn to play the game, in order to be available to guide anyone new coming to learn to play in the future.

Pickleball, New Players and Pizza

It was a fun night at MP II tonight and we had a pretty good group of 12-14 out to play.  

Two new MP Picklers!  Dave and Sharon stopped by one day last week to see what the game was all about.  Not surprising that they were back this week - MP players always make newbies feel welcome.

But tonight they were serious - they were taking notes on where to get their own paddles!!


 Rich(back row far right) and I (Donna - front row-3rd from righ)  came to play with the group tonight.  We sold our home here  in Meadow Pointe - so we had to have a final "group" picture!

And frequently on Friday night the group goes out for Pizza. Some go to Marco's and others to Pizza Mania.   Tonight nine of us selected Pizza Mania. Food was great!   Seated below from left to right is Linda and Don, Mark and Renee, Gary, and newbies Sharon and David.

Great American Teach In......

MP Picklers have helped some of the neighboring communities introduce pickleball and most recently the students at the John Long Middle School thanks to MP player, Donald Bass.   The following is from Don:

During the week of November 12th the John Long Middle School (JLMS) will be having the Great American Teach-In.

Recently, I did a brief demo for one of Ms. Como (PE Teacher at JLMS) PE classes and it was well received.   She had about 9 nets set up, and paddles and balls for the students, so all of the students got to try it.  Ms. Como was very pleased with the student's participation……. .so she considered this demo to be a success.  

She would like for a group of us to come one day during the Great American Teach-In week. If we can, we will be reaching out to about 500 students if we are there all day.   

In order to volunteer for this event each of us will have to do a short online application for security purposes. Once completed, we could volunteer at any Pasco County school.   Ms. Como envisions us doing a brief demo in the gym and then going out to the courts to help students try the game with each of her classes that day. 

These are all children from our community, so our time will be well spent.  

Winter in Paradise, Sun City Center

Hey Meadow Pointe Picklers

Don't miss this great event this year.

Pickleball for all ages and ALL Skill Levels. 

Information Below 

Hope to see you there!

Winter In Paradise Wing Ding

Sun City Center, Fl 

Larry Neely is holding a pickleball clinic to introduce pickleball to players in the Tampa area.  It is being held at the Cheval Community in Land O Lakes.  If any of you are able to help with the demo, please let Larry now.  His contact information is below. 

PICKLEBALL

WHAT IS PICKLEBALL YOU ASK?

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong and it’s one of the fastest growing sports in America. It may be a silly name, but it’s a serious sport. It’s fast paced and easy to learn, great exercise and lots of fun. Good for all ages …. Come see what the excitement is about!

OPEN DAY

 Cheval Athletic Club 4142

 Cheval Blvd

 Lutz FL 33558

Sunday November 18^th 2012

2.00pm – 4.30pm

Free instruction: come learn from current players of the game. We have all the equipment you need. Just bring yourself.

FOR MORE INFORAMTION CONTACT:

Larry Neely 813 279 5122

Also check it www.usapa.org or www.south.usapa.org

Pickleball, Visitors and Pizza

Rich and I  were home for the past few weeks and had a chance to meet up and share some fun with the MP players.  It was great to see everyone and to see how much everyone has improved their play.

Here's some shots of the group playing at MPI on Monday Oct. 8th.   There were about 13 or 14 of us out playing.  Great time and good competition.

On Wenesday, the 10th we had some guest join us, so a few of our regular MP players met with Rich and I at MP II .  A couple of the visitors had never played before so these folks graciously helped us to introduce them to the game.

Pictures below (top left) is Larry and Lynda, new players to the game, visiting us from Cheval over in Land O Lakes, Fl.   and (bottom right) is Larry and Sharon McCarty, visitors from Lakeland, FL.  Thanks to Don, Marilyn, Karen and Zack for coming along to help!  

On Friday we joined the players again at MP I......and had a great time.  Afterwards the group split up - some went home, some went to Marcos for pizza and six of us went to Pizza Mania..........  With us a Pizza Mania below is Don and Linda Bass and Mark and Renee Glassman.      

 

Great menu - it was Pizza, Calzones or Stromboli  for this group tonight!

MP Picklers at SummerGlen

Meadow Point Picklers Rich and Donna Donald did a clinic for the pickleball players at the SummerGlen Community in Ocala, FL.

"We had a great time...more than 35 people showed up for the clinic.  Hope they enjoyed it as much as we did!   Rich (far left) and the SummerGlen players pose for the group photo!"

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2012 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL SENIOR GAMES & STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IS NOW AVAILABLE!!  2012 Florida International Senior Games & State Championships December 1-9, 2012 Polk County    This will serve as a qualifier for the 2013 National Senior Games.**Softball will be held November 3-4, 2012** **10K Road Race will be held November 17, 2012**   Registration is now available online, and booklets will be mailed in September.        For complete registration information, please visit:  2012 Florida Senior Games Registration Information For complete Florida Senior Games information, please visit www.flasports.com or call toll-free 866-FL-GAMES. The Sunshine State Games has been offering amateur sports opportunities in the state of Florida for 33 years. Support the Sunshine State Games and Florida's Olympians by purchasing an Olympic  License plate today!

Pickleball

 Dates: December 1-2, 2012

Locations: Kelly Recreation Center, 404 Imperial Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33803

Entry Fee: $15 for one event, $20 for two events and $23 for three events for Florida residents. $20 for one event, $25 for two events and $28 for three events for non-residents. PLEASE MAKE ALL PAYMENTS TO THE FLORIDA SPORTS FOUNDATION (FSF) State Championships 

Qualifying: Pickleball does not require qualification at a Local Senior Games. 

National Qualifying: Pickleball is now a sport of the National Senior Games! 2012 is a qualifier for the 2013 National Senior Games.

 Other: Tournament will be played outdoors. Registration will open August 2012.

MP Pickler Medals at Regional Tournament

The Mid South Regional Tournament took place from July 13 to  July 15, 2012 at the  Castine Center in Mandeville, LA.  Meadow Point players Rich and Donna Donald travelled  to play in the three day event with six other Florida players from Poinciana, Wimauma and Ft. Myers.  

This first picture was taken at the Player Social held in nearby Covington, Fl.  There was a great  Louisiana style dinner of Jambalya, Red Beans and Rich, Potato Salad,  Cole Slaw, preceeded with Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo and followed by a delicious cake for dessert.  Lots of refreshments and chances to win lots of door prized.   Below (starting top left) Rich and Donna with Louisiana Pickleball Players, Rich with Mid South Regional Director, Tom Burkhart,  Rich and his doubles partner, Paul Coletta from North Carolina - with their SILVER Medals, and Rich with his Mixed Doubles partner from Texas.   Donna played with Cindy Eddleman from Ft. Myers and with Gary Miller from Poinciana, Fl - but did not medal.

The competition was really tough - but they had a great time.  Below are a few pictures of Rich playing, and you can see how big the venue was.  Sixteen indoor courts!!

ATLANTIC-SOUTH REGIONAL

PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

WELCOME.  We are very pleased to announce the first Atlantic-South Regional Pickleball Tournament to be held January 31, February 1, 2, 3, 2013, in Naples. Florida.  The tournament will be played at the East Naples Communtiy Park, 3500 Thomasson Drive, in Naples, Florida.  

Naples is a beautiful place to be in the winter, with the average temperature in the low 80's and plenty of sunshine.  The area is full of shops, great restaurants, and many different types of attractions, and of course the beaches. 

We have been working with Athletes in Paradise and the Naples Sports Council to secure special pricing for the tournament for many hotels.  You may even plan on staying a few extra days to enjoy all that the area has to offer.  

Tournament Information 

You do not have to be a USAPA member to participate, however, we will be giving a discount to those with USAPA membership numbers.  The Atlantic-South Regional Tournament is a Sactioned, Tier 4 Tournament.  It is open to all those that are at least 16 years old by December 31, 2013,  This is an Age Level Tournament with age categories: 16-25, 26-34, 35-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, and 90+.  

There will be 16 outdoor courts, and the Yellow Dura Ball will be used for the tournament. 

Registration will open July 20, 2012.  You will be able to mail in your registration or register and pay on-line.  The link will provided when forms are posted.  All information will be available when the upcoming  registration form is posted.  The forms can be printed directly from www. usapa.org, or www. pickleballspecialties. com, beginning July 20, 2012.

Events

The kick-off will begin Thursday evening, January 31, with a Social Dinner at 6:30 pm.  Our Regional Director, Donna Donald, who works and does so much, will say a few words.  Meet our other ambassadors from around the region and also those from outside the region, along with an update about what is going on around the Atlantic-South. 

We will have a buffet style dinner, and plenty of raffle prizes.  The rest of the weekend pickleball events will go as follows:

Friday, February 1st, Men's and Women's Doubles ( All start times will be announced later) 

Saturday, February 2nd,  Mixed Doubles ( All start times will be announced later)

Sunday, February 3rd, Men's and Women's Singles (All start times will be announced later)

Format

The tournament will be a double elimination, top bracket matches will be 2 out of 3 games to 11 pts. win by 2.  The back draw will be one game to 15 pts. win by 2.   All championship matches will be 2 out of 3 games to 11 pts. win by 2, and if the player(s)If the player(s) from the backdraw win, then a second game will be played to 15 pts, win by 2 for first place.  

Awards will be given for 1, 2, 3 place finishes, along with tournament points being awarded if you are a USAPA member.  

Age groups may be combined to assure adequate playing time and is at the discretion of the tournament directors.  If age groups are combined that is considered one group and awards are given for that age group only.  

Hotels/Motels/Car Rentals

There will be a direct link to take you to the Hotels/Motels that are participating in the reduced rates for tournament players, where you will be able to directly make reservations.  A direct link will also be provided to register and pay on-line.  

Scorekeepers

When there are 16 courts running for three days, it takes a lot of scorekeepers to help out.  We ask that you volunteer to help us to at least score two matches.  If  you have friends, partner or spouse traveling with you and they would like to help out, it would be greatly appreciated.  Scorekeeper Class 101 will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8:00 am - 8:30 am, please attend even it if is to brush up on some things.  

We hope that you will join us in the first Atlantic-South Regional Pickleball Tournament.  It will be a great time, with plenty of Pickleball.  

Sincerely

Nancy Meyer

Cindy Eddleman

Tournament Directors

All the Picklers were out tonight!

  Don: "Do you remember when you brought Pickleball to Meadow Pointe? Was is 4 or 5 years ago?"

Rich and Donna - " We had to think back - but believe it was  mid  to  late 2007.   And the very first player we ever taught  is in the picture!! Hi Rene!!!!"

Don:" Last night we had our largest group ever with 20 players."   ( Wednesday March  28, 2012)

   

We have always been a group that has welcomed anyone who wants to come and learn how to play or who is looking for a place to play when visiting the area and we will continue to do so;  many of those people are still playing with us, or looking forward to coming back to visit again.  

Special thanks to MP Pickler, Don Bass  for sending us the group picture.  ( Unfortunately he's behind the camera  instead of in the picture!!)

Meadow Pointe Players Medal in Florida Games

Meadow Point Players Rich and Donna Donald have been busy the last couple of months.  Rich competed in the Collier County/Naples Games, the Lee County Games in Ft. Myers and the Heartland Senior Games in Sebring Fl.   Donna competed in the Sarasota Expo held at the Harbor Lakes RV Resort in Port Charlotte.

 

  How did they do?  Rich took the Gold Medal with his partner Mark Stemmerman at the Collier County Games.  A sprain to the ankle did not allow him to play in the mixed doubles.  Rich also took the Gold Medal in the Mixed Doubles competition in the Lee County Games with his partner Linda Kramer.  He took the Bronze medal in the men's doubles in Sebring with partner Gary Schinderle from Avon  Park and the Gold Medal, again with Linda Kramer in the Mixed Doubles.  Donna finished third place in the woman's round robin tournament at Harbour Lakes in Port Charlotte.

Congratulations to both!!! 


And to Don Bass-   So Glad to See you Back on the Courts!!!!!

Hey Don Bass................

WE ARE ALL...........

Thinking Of You Graphics

AND SENDING YOU WISHES FOR A QUICK RECOVERY!!!

Everyone Brings Home a Medal

On Saturday, January 14th,  Meadow Pointe Picklers Pat and Suzi, Chris, Karen and Zachary and Rich and Donna headed out early for the Winter In Paradise Pickleball Tournament which was held at Kings Point in Sun City Center.  We've all been there before, and we keep coming back.  It's always a great time and some very good competition. 

Louann Dubendorf, of the Kings Point Pickleball League is the planner and organizer of this yearly event that draws people from across Florida to play.  More than 70 pickleball players braved the 40 degree temperatures to play, ans some from as far away as Satellite Beach on Florida's east coast.  Louann always makes you feel welcome, gives you your morning goodie bags with breakfast bars, juice, crackers, cookies or candy bars, plenty of coffee and water, and a guaranteed good time.   

Below the group arrives and prepares for the day - passing the awards table and hoping they go home with at least one,  checking out their competition and scheduled play, setting up their chairs for the day behind court number three and then settling in to watch the competition.

Below Rich and Chris take to the courts in the Men's Doubles.  In the upper left corner is Louann - who partnered with Chris in the afternoon in the mixed doubles.  Chris and Louann finished Second in the Competitive Round of Mixed Doubles.

And the ladies played some great games as well.  Karen and Suzi partnered up in the recreational round of woman's doubles and finished in Second Place.  Karen teamed up with her son Zachary in one recreational division and finished in FIRST place while Suzi teamed up with hubby Pat and they took Second Place!  Way to go!!

And I don't need to tell any of you what a great little player our 12 year old Pickler is.  Pat and Zachary teamed up in one draw of the recreational play and finished in 4th place behind Rich and his partner Art, and 80 year old from down in Wauchula.  Zachary also played in another draw with a gentleman from Sun City Center and they took First Place.   I (Donna) was taking pictures most of the day - but I did finish in Third Place in the ladies doubles competitive draw. Don Bass and I were scheduled to play in the mixed - but we all know that Don is recovering from his recent injury.  We all missed having him there today.

 

Anyway - Rich and I have not been to play with you folks in a while, so it was really extra special to meet up with some of the players on Saturday.  And, Pat now has all the paper work on how to set up another round robin tournament for all you guys there at home!!! 

All the Meadow Pointe Picklers are winners - but  for today CONGRATS to all the  Winter In Paradise Medal Winners! 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION