Click here for a video that will help you understand some of the most common mistakes that beginner pickleball players make and how to fix them!
Aiken Pickleball News
Here are some rule interpreta- tions concerning serving that you might find useful.
SITUATION: A server on Team A called the score but before beginning her service motion, the receiver on Team B called a time-out. Team A claimed Team B committed a fault because a receiver may not become “un-ready” after the score has been called.
QUESTION: Did the receiver on Team B commit a fault?
ANSWER: No. It’s generally true that a receiver may not become “un-ready” after the score is called (Rule 4.C.2), however, there are a few things which may occur after the score is called but before service motion begins. One such thing is any player may call a time-out before the service motion has begun (Rule 4.D.2).
QUESTION: Can a server tap the ball with their paddle after the score has been called? I have a partner who taps 2 times as part of his serve routine. We are playing in a tournament in a few weeks and want to make sure it is a legal serve.
ANSWER: Of course, he can. And as you are describing it, the taps are before your partner starts his service motion, so there is no problem.
QUESTION: After announcing the score, is it legal to do a practice swing before actually serving the ball?
ANSWER: The server is not allowed to take a practice swing or fake a serve. Unless a hinder has occurred to cause the server to not contact the ball, the referee will call a service fault (USAPA Casebook for Referees).
Be a part of the exciting future of pickleball. The USAPA’s membership is comprised of people who, just like you, share a passion for our great game! When you join the USAPA, you receive exclusive benefits for your membership.
Some of the benefits include
- FREE e-mailed Copies of ‘Pickleball Magazine’ (6 per year)
- 40% Discount (off cover price) of Mailed Subscription of ‘Pickleball Magazine’
- Seasonal Discounts on USAPA Merchandise
- USAPA e-Newsletter (6 per year)
- And much more . . .
Click here for more information and how to become a member.
Below are the number of USAPA memberships by Region - a little over 40,000. Our region - Mid-Atlantic - ranks 3rd out of 11 regions!
Atlantic - Participant Count: 2351
Atlantic South - Participant Count: 5413
Great Lakes - Participant Count: 3523
Great Plains - Participant Count: 2392
Mid-Atlantic - Participant Count: 5342
Mid-South - Participant Count: 3281
Middle States - Participant Count: 2568
Mountain - Participant Count: 1766
Pacific NW - Participant Count: 4441
Southwest - Participant Count: 4589
West - Participant Count: 5533
Recently two female pickleball players were approached by a panhandler asking for money as they were entering their cars in the Smith-Hazel parking lot. They indicated they had no money, that they were there playing pickleball. They then entered their cars and left the lot. The Smith-Hazel staff have been alerted about the incident. This could happen anywhere at anytime, so stay alert out there. If at all possible, players should not leave alone but should go at least in pairs.
The men and women's 3.5 and 3.0 draws are full. Be advised that if you have signed up on the wait list if someone drops out the first person on the list will automatically be moved into the draw and sent an email advising them that they have been officially entered into the Round Robin. We encourage everyone on the wait lists to come to the SSRR in case there are any last minute no shows, or subs needed for something unexpected.
Did you know that when you sign up for a court reservation you do not need to type in all the names? You can do a simple copy and paste. Type the names out in another document, and do copy. Then go to the sign up and place your cursor in the box for the names - hit paste. Not only easier, but way faster!
Below is a copy of an obituary from the Wall Street Journal for Barney McCallum (1926-2019), who just passed away at the age of 93. He is being credited for refining the game of pickleball. It also provides a different version on how the game got its name.
For those of you that love the competition, after our Super Senior Round Robin on January 18, 2020, there are seventeen (17) tournaments in our tri-state area scheduled between Valentines day and the July 4th weekend. The closest one is the Drive, Drop and Dink in August, March 27-29. In South Carolina there are tournaments scheduled in Bluffton/Hilton Head (3),Camden and North Myrtle Beach. Nothing yet in Orangeburg.
In Georgia, besides the one in Augusta, between now and July 4th weekend, there are tournaments scheduled in Atlanta (2), Griffin (2), Hartwell, Rome, Suwanee, and Tiger, Georgia. Near Charlotte, North Carolina, Concord and Salisbury have tournaments scheduled during this same time frame. A link to all of the above is provided on our Tournament webpage.
And if you are really serious about tournament play, go to http://www.pickleballtournaments.com/ for a list of all the tournaments scheduled nationwide.
To prevent injury and to avoid hindrance to play on another court, shout “Pickle” if a ball from your court goes into another court. Please do not go on to the other court to retrieve your ball. Also, please do not simply hit a ball back that rolls onto your court from another court; pick it up and return it to a player on the court it came from, when that player knows you are returning it.
One last please - please wait untill a point is completed before walking behind a court. Thanks.
The raffle for the certificates from Houndslake was held this afternoon at Odell Weeks. The first night at the Houndslake Inn was won by Pat Smith. The round of golf for four players was won by Nancy Rogers. The second night at the Houndslake Inn was won by Jean Durkee. Like to thank all of you that have volunteered thoughout the year. This program only works with your help.
Thanks again, and congratulations to Pat, Nancy and Jean.