Naples' Fleischmann Park caught in a pickle

www.news-press.com

A sport is growing so fast in Naples that people are lining up to play.

The game with the funny name, pickleball, is attracting everyone from tennis and badminton players to those who have never held a racket.

"In February and March 40 people would come at a time," said Bill Case, who plays pickleball at Fleischmann Park. "We could use more courts."

There are four pickleball courts built into the basketball courts, with plans to add a few more on the paddleboard courts this summer.

"East Naples just built nine new courts and they are always fully loaded," Case said.

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Pickleball at Red Top Mountain

www.friendsofgastateparks.org

Pickleball is sweeping the nation, growing in popularity like wildfire and played all over the world. Even though this is one of the fastest growing sports in America, many are still unfamiliar with the game and still others who may be shocked that the game originated back in 1965!

So what is pickleball?

Pickleball is a racket sport in which two to four players use solid paddles to hit a wiffle-like ball over a net. The sport shares features of other racket sports, the dimensions and layout of a Badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis, with a few modifications.

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Senior Games: Pickleball introduced at Neuse River Senior Games

April 22, 2013 - www.newbernsj.com

Connie McCalester picked up pickleball three years ago when she began playing it with her grandchildren.

Once she heard the new sport was a part of the agenda at the Twin Rivers YMCA in New Bern, she went out and got a membership to the gym.

“I just love the sport and it’s been a lot of fun,” said McCalester. “I met a lot of new people here playing pickleball. It’s a great form of exercise, except today we are out here to win.”

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'Pickleball' craze sweeping through retirement communities across the South

www.postandcourier.com

MARIETTA, Ga. - The newest sports craze sweeping through retirement communities across the country has reached Cobb County, with lessons and open court time available at local recreation centers and parks.

 

It's called "pickleball."

Enthusiasts and instructors had a pickleball exhibition recently at the Fullers Recreation Center off Robinson Road in east Cobb County.

 

Shouts of "I got it" filled the air along with the "pong, pong, pong" sounds of a hollow ball being batted back and forth by two ladies swinging paddles at center court.

 

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The new game in town: Pickleball craze reaches Cobb rec centers, parks

www.us.topnewstoday.org

MARIETTA - The newest sports craze sweeping through retirement communities across the country has reached Cobb, with lessons and open court time available at local recreation centers and parks.

 

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Pickleball: There’s a new game in town

www.eastcobber.com

Cobb PARKS is offering a new program called Pickleball and there will be an exhibition 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 8, in the gym at Fullers Recreation Center, 3499 Robinson Road, Marietta. Pickleball ambassadors will demonstrate the very basics of the game. Open Pickeball sessions will begin at Fullers on April 14 and run 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, through May 30.

Pickleball is a simple game designed for all ages and any athletic ability level. The game combines elements of badminton, tennis, racquet ball and ping-pong, and is played on a badminton-sized court. It is played as a singles game or doubles game.

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Two New Tellico Village Amenities Break Ground in Eastern Tennessee

www.prweb.com

Knoxville, Tennessee (PRWEB) April 03, 2014

America’s fastest growing sport is blazing the trails in Eastern Tennessee. Pickleball has been around since the mid 1960’s and is popular with today’s Baby Boomers because it’s physically easier than tennis and is more social. Players can easily talk with each other because of being closer to the net.

Keeping up with demands, eight lighted Pickleball courts are under construction at the Tellico Village Wellness Center. The Pickleball Club membership has grown quickly at Tellico Village, one of the best master-planned communities in Eastern Tennessee. In just five years, there are 350 Pickleball Club members with a waiting list to join the club. The Wellness Center land parcel is huge and has plenty of elbow room for new Tellico Village amenities. The proposed site plan includes 4 more Pickleball courts, 2 more tennis courts, an outdoor amphitheater, outdoor infinity edge pool, community gardens and Performing Arts Theater.

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Pickleball gaining popularity in Northeast Florida

www.firstcoastnews.com

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Pickleball has been called the fastest growing sport in the country.

There are 6,000 places to play pickleball around the country, and dozens of courts and groups around the First Coast that are gaining traction.

Despite what the name would suggest, there are no pickles actually involved in pickleball. It's a modified tennis-style game played with wiffle balls and tennis-elbow friendly paddles.

"We play on courts half the size of tennis courts," said 71-year-old George Catalano.

He's been playing since 2006, after having both knees replaced.

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