BY TRENA M JENNINGS
Pickleball Proliferates in Ponca City ers to the RecPlex to join the group throughout the year. Hiatt exclaimed, “We’re on a map. A national map. Ponca City!”
nis, I enjoy that aspect of the sport. I find it a lot of fun. They’re great people. They’re a great community to be around.” That sense of community leads to social get togethers throughout the year including an annual Christmas party. Hiatt remarked, “Pickleball is another alternative to exercise with a human element. Exercise can be boring with just you and a machine, but with this, if you miss several times, you are missed. You are part of a community. There’s nothing like it.”
Although tournaments have not been played since Evan Smith sends the ball over the net just outside of the the group’s move “kitchen” while playing doubles with his partner, Sherri to the RecPlex, Hiatt said that plans are Tate. The “kitchens” is the non-volley zone that extends to each side line and then 7 feet on either side of the net. in the works to bring them back. Smith and Tate played against Barbara Auld and John She pointed out Recently the Parks and Recreation Varee (not pictured). that tournaments Department refurbished one of the are great for tour- basketball courts at the RecPlex and This year marks the 55th anism, because they incorporated the stripes for Pickleniversary of the fastest growwatching it on YouTube, and within bring people to hotels, restaurants ball. Previously the players had to ing sport in the U.S. with the most an hour had ordered a pickleball set and shopping. lay down tape to mark the game’s unusual name, and it’s being played and began playing at home. It wasn’t boundaries. The RecPlex also proright here in Ponca City. Every Mon- long before a group formed to play Currently the Ponca City group vides the nets, balls, and paddles. day, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to regularly at Unity Gym, where the City 11 a.m. and Tuesdays beginning at 6 of Ponca City allowed them to play has approximately 25 members, and Hiatt and all the Pickleball of Ponca p.m. people of all ages can be found for free. During the spring and fall is not large enough to be a league. City players invite everyone to come playing pickleball at the RecPlex. the Parks and Recreation Department However, that does not inhibit this join the fun. For more information call would help host tournaments, invit- group’s enthusiasm. David Nelsen (580) 716-1237. The Pickleball of Ponca City group ing smaller communities like Stillwa- and his wife, Mel, belong to a league in Wichita, Kansas, but boasts an age range of 17 to 74 years ter and Arkansas City to participate. enjoy playing in Ponca City. Rather than shaking hands, pickleold. Nathalia Hiatt, an ambassador for Nelsen said, “This is home and the USA Pickleball Association (USAball players touch the butts of their Eric Newell, Director of Parks and PA), describes the game as addictive, Recreation, being very supportive of this is recreational. The league racquets as a gesture of good sportssaying, “You’ll enjoy it so much, you’ll pickleball, felt a move to the RecPlex is much more competitive. This manship. Pictured clockwise are Mel laugh so hard, you’ll get a good ab would be in the group’s best interest. is kind of relaxed, easy. No Nelsen, John Varee, Jesse Aranda and workout.” Hiat said, “He knew that being here one’s trying to kill it all the time.” Sherri Tate. would be better for us because we What makes this game so unusual are visible to the community. We have The group’s youngest and so addictive? It’s a cross between acquired a lot of new players because member is 17 year old tennis and ping pong and is played we have moved here.” Evan Smith. Smith is a sewith a net, ball and paddle on a badminton-size court. The ball is similar There are no dues or fees to join nior at Ponca City High to a wiffle ball, and does not bounce the Pickleball of Ponca City group. School and is on the varsity as much as a tennis ball. The paddle The only cost is a membership or day tennis team. While playing is larger than a ping pong paddle, fee at the RecPlex. Rules of the game, basketball with his brother yet smaller than a tennis racquet. The places to play, and equipment can at the RecPlex one day, he smaller court, design of the paddle, be purchased at the USAPA website, saw the game of pickleball being played and decided and the less bouncy ball allows for www.usapa.org. to give it a try. Now he uses more accuracy, keeping the ball in play more. Places to Play is an app that shows his free time during 2nd all the locations across the country period on most Mondays, Six years ago a friend of Hiatt’s re- where pickleball is played. Informa- Wednesday and Fridays to turned from a road trip with stories of tion on the app includes town, what go to the RecPlex and play. a game that was being played at RV days, hours, cost, and skill level. The He said, “I enjoy playing it, parks across the country. Hiatt began app draws travelling pickleball play- and since it’s a lot like ten-
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April 2020
