First, where did the name come from? Well, four dads on Bainbridge Island, Washington, decided to come up with a game to keep their kids busy on yet another drizzly day back in the 70’s. It evolved very quickly to being more than just a kid activity because the dads really enjoyed hitting the plastic ball with holes. A net (36" because it was waist high) and plywood paddles (ping pong paddles didn’t work well) and a “court” that was 20’ by 40” (happened to be available in back of their garage) plus a dog named “Pickles”….what a recipe for a new game to be called PICKLEBALL!

Why is has this sport becoming so popular? In a word….FUN. A 90 lb “weakling” can compete against a 6’4” athlete . The pickleball has a way of balancing differences so all can enjoy the game. Rules are simple and easy to follow along with the scoring. For more information, go to https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/history-of-the-game/. The equipment is quite reasonable. A starter kit on Amazon is around $100 that PICKLEBALL includes 4 paddles, 6 balls plus a full size net! That’s all you need. It will be the best money you ever spent for family enjoyment, trust me!

Here’s the best part, fellow ranchers…..we have a pickleball court located under the pavilion in front of the MOC. Have you ever wondered when you dropped off your bills at the Metro, why those blue tape lines were there? It’s the court lines for pickleball! And, did you know that several dedicated players here on SFTR play at least once a week! Everyone is welcomed, whether you just want to see what the hub bub is all about, or trying it out for yourself. Raton has courts which are filled with players 6 days a week. Trinidad Community Center has two courts and nets inside along with some at the old tennis courts located by the golf course. Rumor has it that the new Hilton Garden Hotel will have a court but, I can’t confirm whether it will be open to the public. The City of Trinidad was planning on turning the tennis courts at the high school into pickleball courts but sadly, the surfaces needs to be replaced. Pueblo and Colorado Springs are “loaded” with courts and during a current news segment interview, players were asking for more as so many folks are starting to discover pickleball!

I invite you to check out PickleBall, SFTR style, and bring your chair!