Pickleball

UPDATES ABOUT PICKLEBALL: 

We continue to schedule many times for pickleball play throughout the week (one session by invitation only). Beginner sessions and practice can be arranged with Bill Cox at WMDCOX@gmailcom.  Please look at the HOA calendar for days, times, and descriptions of events.  If you have any questions or would like to learn more, contact Bill Cox, John Amatangelo at [email protected] or Ron Pacacha at [email protected]. 

We keep track of regular players through the TeamReach application that you can get from the Apple App Store or the Google Store.  Search for "PineRidge PB" and enter group code "ZABC" to become a member.  You can see all events on the calendar, the names of all players, see who will attend a scheduled event, and have the ability to message some or all of the players through the app.  WELCOME to new players Gregg Troyanowski, Hunter Stephens, and Lou Hecht.  WELCOME BACK to Ben Palange.

We are always very interested in new faces and always ask who they are, ask if they would like to join us, etc.  This sport is a great workout among the friendliest people.  We have a great time together and have held special events like a recent pot luck lunch.  We are considering having other get-togethers in the future.  

PARKING:  At the Master Board's request, all Pickleball and Tennis players should park in the court pool parking lot. We have been very successful in having everyone observe that request. 

PRIVATE PLAY:  We schedule league play times that are listed on the HOA calendar, but we will always leave one Pickleball court open for those residents who do not elect to play with us and want to play on their own.  Residents can also play Pickleball at other times whenever there are no scheduled play times on the HOA calendar.

TENNIS PLAYERS:  PLEASE PLAY TENNIS AT A TIME WHEN THERE ARE NO CONFLICTING EVENTS ON THE SCHEDULE (E.G., TUESDAYS AND THURSDAY NIGHTS, AND SATURDAY MORNINGS) BECAUSE PLAYING ON ONE TENNIS COURT ELIMINATES THE USE OF 4 PICKLEBALL COURTS.  SCHEDULED PICKLEBALL EVENTS USUALLY REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF 4 PICKLEBALL COURTS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO ATTEND.  PLAYING TENNIS AT THE TIME OF SCHEDULED EVENTS WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE.  THERE ARE MANY OTHER TIMES AVAILABLE DURING THE WEEK.  WE APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION. 

NEWER PLAYERS:  Please consider coming out to play or if you want to try Pickleball.  Just contact Bill Cox at 814-241-6092 to schedule a day and time.  Wear proper loose-fitting attire, court footware, not jogging, running, or workout shoes, eye protection, and come with a sports drink.  

The longer a person plays Pickleball, the better he/she becomes.  We have a broad range of skill levels from beginners to advanced with players in their 20s through their 80s.  We try to mix up skill levels so that newer players can learn from playing with more experienced ones.  Some of you may not like the hard hitting that often occurs during more competitive games--the hard hitting and shots to the body are legal, so long as they are not intended to harm, but are not appropriate for recreational play.  When newer players feel comfortable enough to play with higher-level players, they can move on to play in Open Pickleball sessions.  More competitive players play in the Competitive League on Thursday nights, which is by invitation only.  We will be offering more information soon about options for newer players.

SAFETY:  Pickleball attire includes wearing court shoes (not running shoes or exercise shoes) and loose comfortable clothing.  Everyone should consider wearing eye protection in the form of sunglasses, sport glasses or other safety glasses.  Paddle technology in 2024 has increased the speed of the ball coming off the paddle by 50%, which means that a player will have a much shorter time to react.   Please hydrate before playing and bring a sports drink.  We also have a filtered water cooler in the kitchen area for water refills.

GET WELL WISHES:  We hope that some of our players get well soon and hit the courts again, including Yvonne Galarza, Bill Cox, Bill Ruback, Connie Mace, Jayne Muscat, and Roy Harrington.  

Thanks for your support and for helping our community to be a more desirable one to live in.