Pickleball is bouncing into Decatur!
Discover the pickleball craze in Decatur, Alabama, where fast-paced fun meets community camaraderie on the courts!
It is a warm, sunny spring morning and I walk out on the patio to enjoy my cup of coffee and hear the faint tap…tap….tap off in the distance. A neon plastic ball bounces from paddle to court and back to paddle again. The pickelballers are up and active early this morning. While living near a pickleball court this sound has become more familiar by the day, to the point that I barely notice it anymore.
Now you might be asking yourself, “What is pickleball?” I don’t blame you because before last summer I would have been just as confused as you are! Is it a sport? A competitive eating category? Someone who buys expensive imported cucumbers?
Last summer while waiting in line to relax at Point Mallard’s Lazy River (my favorite pool at the water park) I met a nice gentleman who quickly became my “line buddy”. Both of us always arrived early trying to beat the crowds and get our favorite chairs along the water. One thing lead to another and in true “line buddy” fashion we got to talking about our hobbies and life outside of floating in the pool. He was an avid pickleballer and he even had a pickleball hanging from the rearview mirror of his car to prove it! He told me of this new sport that was sweeping the nation and will be added to the Olympics in 2028. Similar in looks to tennis, with an oversize ping-pong feel, Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America!
But what exactly is pickleball?
Pickleball is a unique sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Pickleball can be played singles or doubles on a court that takes up about 1/3 of a tennis court. Like tennis this court also has a net and instead of rackets they have paddles shaped like large ping-pong paddles. The ball is plastic, hollow and perforated with several holes (26 -40 holes). Not only is it a great way to get exercise but it is also low impact enough that anyone can do it. You don't have to be a pro athlete (or even a regular gym goer) to have fun playing pickleball. It really is accessible for people of all ages. But how does any of this tie in with pickles?
Well like naming boats and pets there is a bit of a story behind it. In the summer of 1965, pickleball was founded by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Within days, Joel’s wife Joan had come up with the name “Pickle ball” because it reminded her of a pickle boat; weaker, mismatch crew boat teams.
Starting a new and unfamiliar sport with no knowledge of the rules can seem like a daunting challenge. I know this all too well after letting my pickleball set (a Christmas gift I had received last Christmas) sit in my closet unopened for months. But have no fear because I am letting you in on a secret that I have only recently discovered; pickleballers are encouraging, kind, helpful and don’t care how badly you play. After finding a local Pickleball Facebook group I realized that not only are they kind to beginners but they encourage them!
A local pickleballer Joey Oyervidez leads FREE and open to the public “Intro To Pickleball” events at Austin Junior High School every other Sunday starting at 1:00pm. The best part is that if you don’t have equipment there’s no reason to worry! Just wear tennis shoes and come ready to learn and equipment will be provided, however it is best to RSVP on their Facebook page to make sure there is enough equipment to go around!
So off I went with my new tennis skirt on (I love any excuse for a themed outfit) to see what pickleball was all about. The first thing I noticed was not the MANY cars lined up around the court but the age diversity playing the game! From teenagers to retirees the wide variety was astonishing! Everyone was so kind, with a mix of pickleball pros, beginners and first timers (like myself). I felt so welcomed! I met a woman named Kim who told me why she and her husband loved the sport. She has had several surgeries and said the low impact made the game enjoyable but one of the main reasons she loved it was the community! The Facebook group “Decatur Alabama Pickleball” has over 700 members with daily posts answering questions, scheduling games and meet ups. Joining this group is a must for local pickleballers.
Once you’re hooked on the game you can play at outdoor courts at Austin Junior High School, Julian Harris and Walter Jackson or indoor courts at TC Almon, Fort Decatur and the Aquadome! The indoor courts are only open at specific times on specific dates so please make sure to check their website before making plans.
Pickleball is not only a fun game for all ages, it is not only just the fastest growing sport in America, it is ALSO a great way to bring the community together. You never know who you could be playing against; a newbie like me or the Mayor of Decatur, Tab Bowling. Pickleball has made its way to Decatur and it is here to stay. A new pickleball facility is in the works to be built at Point Mallard Park, replacing the Old Ice Rink Pavilion.
So lace up your sneakers, grab a friend and get pickling…. pickleballing? Pickle……Yeah I’m still working on the lingo. See you on the court.
Thank you to everyone in the “Decatur Alabama Pickleball” group for providing photos and additional information on the sport!
