We are pleased to announce that Chuck Buchanan has been selected as the USAP Ambassador for Aiken County, SC. He will be working with Mo Garcia, the District Ambassador, to secure new pickleball venues throughout our area.
Aiken Pickleball News
USA Pickleball is excited to unveil the 2024 schedule and a new format for Golden Ticket tournaments, the only guaranteed path for amateur players to play in the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships. Eleven tournaments will serve as the path to Nationals for amateurs in 2024. Click here for more information.
We are spending numerous hours correcting careless mistakes or senior moments. The past couple of Thursdays approximately 10% of the court reservations have been invalid. Some are as simple as not putting the first initial and last name of two players, or of making two court reservations side by side, but not listing two different players. More serious infractions are when players exceed the two-court limit, thus temporarily taking up a court they are not entitled to.
Currently court time is limited and everyone is in a hurry to get a reservation, but there is no reason not to enter the names correctly. Prior to entering the SUG, go to Docs and type in the names of the players you are playing with in the correct format (first initial, last name) and do a copy. When in SUG select the court you want and hit paste.
Those of you that are having senior moments and exceeding the two-court limit on Thursdays will now have your last entry automatically deleted. Blatant repeat offenders will be referred to the City for code of conduct ethics violations.
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.
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!