Aiken Pickleball News

Pickleball ladder

How far can your team climb the ladder? Who will claim the top rung?

NEWSFLASH - To wrap up the current pickleball challenge ladder, a playoff will be held for the top 8 teams indoors at Odell Weeks (gym 2) on Saturday, May 1, 2021. If you are not currently in one of the top eight positions, now is the time to start working your way up. The ladder will be frozen at midnight on Sunday, April 25^th, so get your challenge matches and result forms entered before then.

To be fair to those trying to move up, teams will have a maximum of one week to arrange a match when challenged. If you are out of town, injured, or otherwise unable to complete the match, please go ahead and forfeit to the challenging team.

The playoff format will be determined soon.

Click here to create a challenge. NOTE: The challenge form uses the email information provided to notify the team being challenged and to remind the challenger to schedule the match. If you are not receiving the emails, please check your spam folder for an email from aikenpbladder@gmail.com.

Click here to record match results.

Click here to view Ladder. (Current Standings and Status)

Click here for interest poll on team jerseys.

Rules as follows:

- challenges can be made to teams up to three positions higher than your current standing

NOTE: The “Challenge Form” will send email reminders to contact their opponent to schedule the match.

- declined challenges results in automatic drop in position

- challenge matches must be completed or scheduled during the week the match is accepted

- challenging team must be willing to play at the preferred court of the team they are challenging.

- teams with a pending match, scheduled but incomplete, cannot initiate or accept a new challenge until the pending match is completed.

NOTE: Teams with a pending match will be flagged so individuals checking the standings are aware that the teams cannot accept a new challenge

- standings will be updated daily based on submitted “Ladder Match Results Form”

NOTE: failure to submit the “Ladder Match Results Form” results in the teams being flagged as Match Pending until results are received and recorded

- an individual can only have one active team on the ladder at any given time. If an individual elects to play with a new partner, the previously existing team is removed from the ladder and the new team starts at the bottom of the ladder

- all matches will be a best 2 out of 3 format to 11 points each game.

- all matches will be played at a venue in Aiken, unless alternate venue is agreed upon by both teams

NOTE: Augusta teams are welcome to participate but there is no expectation for games to be scheduled in Augusta, regardless of who is the challenger Team

Looking for Games

The Partners List has been renamed “Looking for Games". It is under the “Sign-ups” tab. We encourage all new players looking for someone to play with to check here and add their names, contact information and level of play. A designation of beginner/intermediate or specific rating/experience level can be put in the comments section to better pair individuals up.

Minutes for the February Leadership Team meeting have been posted

The minutes for the February Leadership Team Meeting held on Monday, February 1st, at 5:30pm via Zoom have been posted on the Forum page. Some of the topics discussed include: New Players Clinics and Practice Sessions being held at OW and GP; court conditions at OW; Player Ratings to start again; Implementation of a competitive Ladder; and Return of Drop-in designated play. Go to Forums or click here to read the full report.

Next meeting will be held on Monday March 1st at 5:30 via Zoom

2021 Drive, Drop & Dink Round Robin

Registration for the 2021 Drive, Drop & Dink Round Robin Pickleball Tournament opens on February 1st. See below for more details.

Click here to register for the tournament.

February New Players Clinic at Odell

The next New Players Clinic at Odell is scheduled for Friday, February 5th. Details as follows: Check-in/Orientation/Court Setup 0845-0900; New Players Clinic 0900-1000; Practice Play 1000-1100.

Clinics will be held on Court #1, Gym #2, at Odell Weeks. Balls and paddles provided. Maximum 8 players. Cost is $15 per person. Sign up and pay at the Odell Weeks front desk.

Face masks are required for entry into Odell Weeks.

Morning starting time at Odell is now 9am

Please note that the starting time at Odell is now 9am (vice 845). Players can start setting up the courts no earlier than 0845, which is when the door to Gym #2 will be unlocked. Thanks for your cooperation.

Minutes for the January Leadership Team meeting

The minutes for the January Leadership Team Meeting held on Monday, January 4th, at 5:30pm via Zoom have been posted on the Forums page. Some of the topics discussed include: Welcoming our newest Leadership Team Member - Harve Mobley, an avid 4.0 player, replacing Ron Nelson who will retain the Skill Rating Sessions; Court 5 - to continue limited opening; and the significant rule changes for 2021. Go to Forums or click here to read the full report.

Next meeting will be held on Monday, February 1st at 5:30 via Zoom

What makes Pickleball so special?

What makes Pickleball so special? We had four new players show up at Odell to attend a New Players Clinic scheduled to start at 0845am. They had never played pickleball before. Had never been to Odell before. They had no idea how to get started. The only thing they had going for them, they all had previous experience playing a racquet sport (racquetball and/or tennis) and they were all eager to start.

Only one problem - the instructor for the clinic got sidelined and was unable to show up. I got a call around 9:30am asking if I could go to Odell and help out. When I arrived there were four players on Court 1 playing a game and having a good time. One of the players from drop-in-play was helping them with court position and other parts of the game. He, or someone else from drop-in-play, had already shown them how to put up a net. They knew how to keep score; how to do a normal serve; basically where to stand’ and understood the concept of the kitchen. At that point they were all playing well enough that they could all come back the next day and join drop-in-play. Yes they were hitting balls out and/or into the net, but who doesn’t?

So to repeat the question - What makes Pickleball so special? The answer is the players willing to help others enjoy the game. Thank you.

2021 USA Pickleball Rule Changes by David Hoel

Every year about this time, the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) issues changes and or improvements to their Pickleball Rules. Accordingly, the attached “2021 Change Document” was recently issued (Click here). The 2021 edition of the Rulebook will be issued on January 25, 2021. Accordingly, the 2020 rules remain in effect until that time. A very informative 2-hour webinar recording by the Rules Committee is available at https://youtu.be/IeVZloCr4eA

SUMMARY:

81 pages; 125 specific rule changes
Each change is described, and a reasoning provided

TWO OF THE MOST NOTABLE CHANGES:

Service Lets Removed (page 11)

The definition (3.A.18) and Section 4 (Service Lets) have been removed. Starting in 2021, there will be no rule(s) governing service lets. Service Lets have been removed. It is noted that out of habit, both referees and players may sometimes habitually call a service let. If any player stops play because of a service let being called, that player/team will have committed a fault per rule 7.I.

Provisional Drop Serve (page 26)

New Rule 4.A.8 - In addition to the standard serve sequence described in Rules 4.A.1 to4.A.7, players may opt to use an alternate “drop serve” method.

New Rule 4.A.8.a - Servers must release the ball from one of the server’s hands or dropped off paddle from any natural (un-aided) height and hit the ball after the ball bounces on the playing surface. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to the referee and the receiver. In matches without a referee, the server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver. A replay shall be called before the return of serve if the release of the ball is not visible.

New Rule 4.A.8.b - Before bouncing on the ground, the ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle. Failure to drop the ball properly will result in a fault. There is no restriction on where the ball can land on the playing surface after it is dropped (providing 4.A.2 is satisfied) nor how many times within the 10 seconds after the score is called the server may drop the ball.

New Rule 4.A.8.C - If the drop serve is used, the ball may be struck with either a forehand or backhand motion without any other restriction; i.e., the location restrictions of the ball and paddle in Rules 4.A.3, 4.A.4, and 4.A.5 do not apply.

Click here for a video that demonstrates this new serve method in detail.

Gregg Park Sign up limits

Gregg Park - Please read the new sign up procedures on the signup genius before reserving a court. Players can only appear in three time slots at the end of the first sign up day, and no more than four time slots at the end of the second sign up day.

The reservations for the first two sign up days must include the first initial and full last name of at least four players.

On the third day of sign ups and thereafter, Gregg Park members can reserve/appear on any courts that are still available. Courts that are still available on the third day may be reserved by just two players.

When there are two or less days of play, Gregg Park members are limited to one court reservation, and everyone is limited to appearing on one time slot at the end of the first day.

On the second day of sign ups, when there are two or less days of play, Gregg Park members can make one additional court reservation, and individuals can appear on one additional time slot. Reservations on both days must include the first initial and full last name of at least four players.

On the third day and thereafter, Gregg Park members can reserve any courts that are still available, and there are no restrictions on the number of times individual players can play. Courts that are still available on the third day may be reserved by just two players.