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 Most people are familiar with tennis,
ping-pong and badminton, but how many of us are familiar with a sport
that combines various aspects of these three sports into what has become
known as pickleball? Several Legacy residents have incorporated this
game into the many activities that take place in the community.
This mini-tennis game was created during the
summer of 1965 in Bainbridge Island near Seattle. The original purpose
of the game was to provide a sport for the entire family, according to
its co-inventors U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard, William Bell and
Barney McCallum. When the game was first played, the family dog named
Pickles would chase after the errant balls and hide in the bushes.
Pickle's ball was eventually shortened to pickleball. The game became
popular since it could be played on any hard surface in backyards,
driveways, or dead-end streets.
At Legacy, there are two pickleball courts
that are put to use at least six days a week during the morning hours.
The court dimensions are iden tical to a doubles badminton court, the
paddles are smaller than tennis rackets, but larger than ping-pong
paddles, and the ball is a poly-plastic baseball with holes, similar to
a wiffleball.
The game was introduced to Legacy by
resident Charlie Axtell, who started introductory lessons in October
2003. He and Bob Rezzonico co-chair the activity along with Walter
Bogaerts, who serves as Secretary/ Treasurer. Every Monday, Wednesday
and Friday at 7:30 AM, you will see several players on the courts
practicing their skills. Up to ten players meet on these mornings for
open play, and the competition is only within the community itself.
Another group, called the Hit or Miss
players, play on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 7 AM. Formed
in March 2004, this group provides the ladies with the opportunity to
benefit from the exercise the games provide. There are no rules as in
the first group, and up to eight players at a time may be seen on the
courts. More than one ball may be used during the play. Angel Barbieri
chairs this second group. She can be seen playing almost every morning
with both groups.
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