One of our old pickleball players passed away last Friday - Donald Penzien. Don was a regular at drop in play. Some of you might remember him when you see his photo.
Aiken Pickleball News
There were 92 rule changes for 2024. Following are two of the most significant.
1. Correcting Server, Receiver, and Player Position Errors (4.B.9) Faults for incorrect server, incorrect receiver, and player position errors are eliminated. All previous points count. Players return to correct positions with no penalty.
2. Catch or Carry Ball on the Paddle (7.L) Rule 7.L now makes catching or carrying a ball on the paddle a fault without having to determine that the catch or carry was deliberately done.
To access a zoom meeting among USAP Ambassadors and the rules committee discussing the changes click the link below.
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/ntihK3yvUQBkIfHD73M1cfETUoVm7qJQbLu27_... Passcode: 7zv*raK5
With the increase in outdoor play it is not surprising that the Lost and Found at the front desk at Odell is overflowing with items left on the outdoor courts. There are some really nice jackets and a VP pickleball paddle just waiting for someone to claim them. I'd get there before this Friday as that's when the Xmas craft show starts and parking will be difficult.
The photo below is how someone left the closet at Odell Weeks today. Notice that the dividers are blocking the entrance to the upstairs door despite the sign that says DO NOT block door. This is a no, no. There is a photo on the front door of the closet that shows how the nets and dividers should be stored. Please follow this guide.
The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting held on November 13th have been posted. Items discussed were the USCA Pacer Life Program and Special Olympics, the Round Robin to be held at Gregg Park on Saturday March 9th, Open Scrambles at Odell Weeks and Gregg Park with donations for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest, new paddle queue for open play starting in January, monthly activities such as Drills with LBJ and New Players Clinic, feedback from player reps and much more. Go to Forums or Click here to read the full report.
Thanks to all of you that participated in the Open Scramble for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest this Thursday morning at Gregg Park. Great success. Over twenty toys were donated and we filled the other box with cans of food for Golden Harvest. Hopefully you all enjoyed the scramble.
You guys/gals are the greatest!
Thanks to all of you that participated in the Open Scramble for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest this morning at Odell Weeks. Great success. Over thirty toys were donated and we filled two boxes with can goods for Golden Harvest.
The Players that made it happen. Thank you!
We have had recent incidents at both Gregg Park and Odell Weeks with pickleball players being rude to the people manning the front desks. Please be aware that the staff working at the front desks have no authority over pickleball or the courts. Being rude to these people is just unacceptable behavior.
If you have a problem bring it to the attention of your player reps. That's what they are for. There is list of all the player reps on the website under Contact Us. The list includes their names, photos, email addresses and the players they represent by ratings.
The player reps and the leadership team meet once a month. The first item on our agenda is feedback from the player reps. The leadership team is in constant contact with both the Odell Weeks and Gregg Park management teams. Our job is to resolve any issues brought to our attention.
We all get frustrated, but please don't take it out on the personal at the front desks. They are our friends. If you need to yell at someone, yell at us. Thank you.
The last four Drills with LBJ on Wednesday evenings at Gregg are available for sign up. Drills for intermediate players and beginners as follows.
Intermediate: 6-715pm
November 8: Working as a team- where to be together and why. Communication as a key to success.
November 15: The transition to the non volley zone and little tips to get there.
November 29: You made it to the kitchen. Now what? Volleys , dinks and other options.
December 6: King and Queen of the court-king and queen drill and analyzed play. Two winners and pretty darn good prizes. Rest up for this one !
Beginners : 730-845pm
November 8: Working as a team - where to be together and why. Communication as a key to success .
November 15: The Lob- why it’s a great shot, how to hit it AND when to hit it. Also a little synopsis of why people hate it:)
November 29: The third shot! Be it drop, drive or lob; how to execute and why it’s so effective.
December 6: King and Queen of the court- king and queen drill and analyzed play. Two winners and pretty darn good prizes! Rest up for this one!
We had our first outdoor Adult and Junior tournaments this Saturday, October 21st, using the recently renovated fourteen outdoor courts at Virginia Acres Park. What a great facility, a great event and a great day for pickleball. Over 80 players from ages 13 to over 70 and as far away as Cary, NC participated in nine events in memory of Nelson Swartzentruber. Click here for photos and videos on our Facebook page.. Special thanks to Ben Stephens, the tournament director, Mo Garcia, Joyce Noland, our IT Team and all the volunteers that made this happen.
Results Adult Tournament
Coed Singles Skill: (Any) Age: (Any)
Andrew Kutsch Harve Mobley Joseph Reiser
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (30 To 59)
Rene Kein and Marcial Rodriguez
Angki Sager and Michael Sager
Daphne Owen and Gerry Owen
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (60 And Above)
Barbara Erndl and Kenneth Mason
Cory Clark and Mark Clark
Jackie Burley and Mike Burley
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (12 To 49)
Daley Morera and Bennet Schimmelpfennig
Elliana Fahrbach and Drew Fahrbach
Lydia Connor and Matthew Helms
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above)
Melissa Cetola and Ted Cetola
Aimee Kollmansberger and Mike Kollmansberger
Christine Hopwood and Miguel Rivera
Mixed Doubles Skill: (4.0 And Above) Age: (Any)
Heidi Estroff and Doug Weiss
Callie Reiser and Joseph Reiser
Sharlene Buggs and Mo Garcia
Women's Doubles Scramble Skill: (2.5) Age: (Any)
Marcy Badertscher Patricia Hayer Marie Klofenstine
Results Junior Tournament
Boy's Doubles Skill: (Any) Age: (Any)
1st Place
Han Chi and Drew Fahrbach
2nd Place
Jacob Weaver and David Hollan
3rd Place
Josh Woiczechowski and David Baker
Girl's Doubles Skill: (Any) Age: (Any)
1st Place
Elliana Fahrbach and Lydia Lu
2nd Place
Charlotte McComb and Isabella McComb
3rd Place
Kaylee Castor and Izzy Aycox