Pickleball

Held on October 22^nd, 2011 at Delaware State University, in Dover, DE.

View the 2011 Results

First Annual Eastern Shore Pickleball Get Together

Saturday, June 11^th, 2011, (Rain date: Sun June 12^th, 2011) at Indian River High School located at 29772 Armory Rd. Dagsboro, DE 19939, 10:00 AM. Entry Fee: $5.00. There will be 12 courts!

Prize fund: All entry fees- minus cost of masking tape.

Format:

• Three Games, Mixed Doubles, blind draw three games 3 partners.
• Three Games, Men's Doubles, blind draw three games 3 partners.
• Three Games, Women's Doubles, blind draw three games 3 partners.
• Four Games, Mixed Doubles with your own partner. Blind draw for opponents.

- One point for each win. Man with most points wins half the prize fund. Woman with most points wins half the prize fund. Ties split pot evenly.

- Game ball will be Dura fast out door ball. (We are in need of balls, if you have some please mark them and bring them.)

- We have six tennis courts, which we can convert, into 12 courts. (We are in need of Nets. If you have a net and can lend it, please call Dudley, so we can get a net count, Home: 302-321-9311 or Cell: 301-538-1057.) Having enough nets is important for making the games successful.

- All games will start by a coin flip. The winner chooses the side for play and the loser chooses to serve or receive.

- Wind could be a factor at this location.

- Disputes settled by USAPA rulebook (April 1, 2009 revision) when possible or common sense if not.

- Pace of play: Were hoping for 15 minute games, plus or minus and 5-minute turn around after the last game of each draw is finished, about 3 1/2 hours is the plan.

Refreshments will not be furnished, so bring your own. Rest room will be available. Bring some chairs!

RSVP by calling Dudley or Janet at 302-321-9311 or E-MAIL to - One point for each win. Man with most points wins half the prize fund. Woman with most points wins half the prize fund. Ties split pot evenly.. Please send this invite to all your Pickleball playing friends.

We are planning on going to lunch after the games. It will be at Frankford Family Dinner in Frankford, DE. Good prices and good food. It's about 6 minutes from the school. Please let us know if you are planning on going so we can give them a head count.

Pickleball: DSO Sport Description and Rules

An 11 point game, Pickleball combines elements of tennis, squash and ping pong.

The racquets resemble ping pong racquets but have larger heads and longer handles.

The outdoor ball resembles a whiffle ball, but is a little thicker/heavier, while indoor balls can be whiffle-like or even made of foam.

The court is the same size as a badminton court, but the net is at the level of a tennis net. View a Pickleball court and Rules on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Coordinator Information

Co-Coordinators: Georgia Billger & June Fortney

I was first introduced to the game of pickleball while attending the Huntsman Volleyball Tournament in Utah. I willingly signed a petition to make pickleball a National Senior Olympics event. And then I forgot about it for five years.

I started playing at the YMCA in Rehoboth and then moved on to organizing our own program along with June Fortney calling ourselves Delmarva Dills.

Currently we play twice a week - Mondays at Shields Elementary and Tuesday nights at Rehoboth Elementary School. Once spring arrives and our "snowbirds" return fortified with new skills we will be playing 3 and then 5 days a week arranging different times of day for players who still work.

Our goal is to promote play throughout the state. Many of our players travel to Delaware Stare University to support Dana Aultman's program and to Ocean Pines in Maryland. There is also a group that plays in Middletown. We'd like to challenge "Upstate" to pick up the paddles and get started. You'll love the game.

To further promote pickleball I would like to organize "fun " tournaments like Dudley Sluder ran last fall. Partners were put together by picking names out of a hat. Special play dates for women's doubles, men's doubles and co-ed matches could be arranged between groups from different communities.

We want senior citizens to be made aware of the fun to be had, and the friends to be made. Come on out. Right now we are a small, but tight knit group.

- Georgia

Contact Information:

Georgia: 302-227-9210 Phone: Email: gojoe57@verizon.net

June: Phone: 863-512-0333, Email: jgfortney@msn.com

Training Opportunities:

Kent County

Dana's group is currently playing indoor Pickleball at the Delaware State University Wellness Center.

CONTACT INFO: Dana C. Aultman dana.aultman@comcast.net

Ocean Pines (Maryland Delaware Border)

All players interested in winter pickleball at Ocean Pines. Starting Monday 1/2 the play time will be 2:30 to 4:30. The Thursday. time will remain 10:00 til Noon. The Sunday time is to be determined. The new PH# for the rec center is 410-641-7052. This is the # for the front desk.

CONTACT INFO: Dudley Sluder snowbirds77@yahoo.com

Sussex County

An active Pickleball group plays several times a week at several venues.

CONTACT INFO: Georgia Billger at 302 -227-9210 or gojoe57@verizon.net, or June Fortney at 302-644-9693 or jgfortney@msn.com.

Wilmington

Indoor pickleball will be played and taught at the Mid-County Senior Center in Sherwood Park, Wilmington, Delaware 19808 every Friday from 1 to 2:30.

Outdoor pickleball practice to be held weekly on Tuesdays from 10 AM to Noon at Sherwood Park tennis court on Milltown Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.

Wilmington PAL Center - Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30.

CONTACT INFO: Peggy Olivero p.olivero@comcast.net or 302-388-2705.