Aiken Pickleball News

Ask the Pickleball Ref by David Hoel

SITUATION: In a tournament match, a Team A player wore a shirt which was a color similar to the ball. Team B requested that the Team A player change his shirt. Alternatively, Team B requested the match use a different color ball.

QUESTION: Were either of Team B’s requests required to be satisfied?

ANSWER: No. The referee determined that the player’s shirt color did not present a sufficient safety or distraction issue. (Rule 2.G.1) Further, the tournament announcement clearly described what color balls would be used during the tournament, so changing the ball was not required. However as a courtesy, the referee offered use of a different color ball, only if all players agreed. The players chose to play with the original ball.

And just for the record, the Super Senior Round Robin being held on Saturday, January 18th, will be using an Onix orange ball - so please no orange tee shirts!

Saturday Play at First Presbyterian Church

There will be indoor play on Saturdays at First Presbyterian Church, January 4th & 11th, from 9am - 1pm. Need a minimum of four players to sign up, or the sessions will be cancelled.

First Presbyterian Church is located at 224 Barnwell Avenue, NW in downtown Aiken. Please park on Barnwell Avenue and go in the door by the Coke machine. Turn right after you go in and go through the double doors into the gym. There is a $2.00 per person fee for each session. A container will be placed in the laundry room where the nets are stored. All of these funds will go directly to the church as a donation to help them cover the costs of heating and air conditioning, and general wear and tear on the gym.

Tips from the Pros - Top 10 Beginner Mistakes

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!

Ask the Pickleball Refs by David Hoel

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).

USAPA Membership

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