More news from the HEBER VALLEY PICKLEBALL CLUB

Lots of "picklers" continue to play every weekday morning, dropping in anytime form 9 to 12. We always have 2 courts and sometimes a third. Games are not organized, so everyone can just drop in and play. If there are players waiting, we usually play to 7 points, otherwise a regular game to 11.


Mike Altieri has held two mini clinics, one on lobs, the second on serving. He will send out email reminders before the first Wednesday of the month and let you know what the topic-of-the-day will be. Just show up about 10 to learn some finer points of the game. If you want more individualized skills training, just ask Mike.


Depending on interest, we will start using the third court at 10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those who would like special work on technique and/or strategy. New players are welcome to join as well. Remember, beginners, we've ALL been there and want you to improve. Everyone is on board to help you learn!!

Tournament Coming April 7th

We're excited about a tournament planned for Tuesday, April 7th from 9 am to 1 pm at the Rec Center. Please sign up by Monday, March 30th for Round Robin play for only the first 24 players. We'll be awarding prizes and Leslie Oksner. our social chairperson, is planning a social following the tournament. If tournament play isn't for you, we will have bleachers set up for spectators.


The Club is dedicated both to growing the sport and making it fun for everyone who wants to play. To that end, some players have asked to have a general list of Pickleball Etiquette. The following was provided by Brenda Blackham from St. George, who helped many of us learn the game last summer.

Pickleball Court Behavior

1.  Sportsmanship is first and foremost in pickleball. As such, lines are called by the team on the side of the court where the line is in question. Your opponents are always given the benefit of the doubt. Bystanders are not linesmen. We will all make bad line calls. If someone consistently makes poor calls, they should be talked to privately. My experience is that the people who make the worst calls are poor players. so it really doesn't matter. Don't point out that you are a bad player by making poor calls.

2.  As courts become more crowded, stick to whatever rules the club decides on for rotational play. Better players sometimes feel they command more court time than lesser players. Do not let this happen. The HVPC has determined that for now, players who have been waiting will rotate in either after 7 or 11 point games.
3.  Don't hit the ball constantly at the less skilled player in recreational play. Either hit the ball as the situation demands, or hit to the better player. Everyone then gets better faster. If you are the better player, be kind.
4.  Only hit the ball as hard as you can control. We all get hit accidentally, but no one likes to be hit in the face by a poorly controlled fast ball. It is ok to direct a ball at your opponent, but should the ball hit them, it should be below the waist.
5.  Recognize that better players like to play together, but that people get better by playing with better players. In the course of play, try to make sure that both those needs are accommodated. The Club has set the times from 9 to noon daily for regular drop-in play. If you are a more skilled player and want to play with others at your level, please arrange times other than this.

Finally, many of you have asked where you can find more information about pickleball, rules, equipment, training, etc. Listed below are some links to sites that you might find interesting. The USAPA (United States of America Pickleball Association) has a wide variety of topics, including YouTube videos of tournaments, training tips, skill building, etc. It is your best source for pickleball information.
www.usapa.org

www.pickleballrocks.com

www.amazon.com/sportsandrecreation/pickleball

Blog is Live!

WELCOME to the first post of the new-as-of-December 2014 Heber Valley Pickleball Club. We are up and running, and going strong. Our Kick-Off party was a huge success, lots of food, wine, information about the club, and general excitement about the game of pickleball. We have elected (by show of hands) officers and committee chairs. The board is as follows:


      President: Kris Beer
      Vice-President: Barbara Miano
      Secretary: Carol Lee
      Treasurer: Kay Shean
      Social Chair: Leslie Oksner
      Training Chair:  Mike altieri


Many of us "picklers" had been playing since July on tennis courts in the Midway Park at Valais. After a presentation to the city about the growing popularity of the game and how we needed a place to play, the city council authorized and hired a striping company to paint lines on one of the two existing tennis courts. In early August we convinced them, through a survey sent to players and by the number of people turning out daily to play, to stripe the second court.


It was amazing how many people stopped by to see what we were doing, asking about the fun game with the funny name, and staying to try it out. We typically had extra paddles and learning the basics was fairly easy. Not surprising that once someone started to play, addiction was the next step.


To spread the word and try to grow the sport, we organized a pickleball clinic the second weekend in August. Wayne Bullock, the tennis and pickleball pro from St. George, conducted three sessions of 12 players each Friday evening and Saturday morning. We practiced newly acquired skills in a mini tournament Saturday afternoon, with many coming back for a potluck on the courts as Wayne, his wife Kristi and their daughter continued to demonstrate the game.


Our growing group of regular picklers received lots of tips from Brenda Blackham, who lives and plays in St. George but hangs out in Midway during the summer. When not golfing, she would show up on the courts to play and instruct on technique and strategy. Warren and Susan Dinter, also in Midway for the summer, play in St. George the rest of the year, were great teachers also. Throughout the summer, many other players heard about us and dropped in. We usually filled both courts and often had others waiting to circulate in.


Play continued through what was one of the most fabulous Utah autumns in memory. Some mornings we started when temps were still in the 30's but by mid-morning, we were shedding layers. By November we had moved indoors to the Wasatch County Rec Center in Heber City where 3 courts were striped. More confusing lines as courts were multi-use: pickleball, volleyball, badminton, basketball.


Indoor play required adjustment to wood floor, lighting, no wind (nice!) or weather issues. It is just a little different game. Through the winter we almost always have at least 2 courts of play and sometimes 3. Our training chair, Mike Altieri, has conducted 2 mini clinics to help players learn or improve their game.


Our social chair, Leslie Oksner, hosted our first board get together and meeting. Another event with lots of good food and wine. And the discussion was great too. We will be organizing a tournament later in the season, probably March or April. We hope to have a logo designed and Leslie thought her daughter who is a graphic artist might be able to help. (Erin's design currently is on the blog--fabulous work!)


This is just a brief summary of how pickleball has invaded the Heber Valley and of the club's activities. We will continue to post information about drop-in play, mini clinics, tournaments, and any other news about our fun group. Please post comments to keep the blog alive.