Rather a banger than a falafel
Murphy — The sun had barely announced the new day when a cluster of fun seekers found their spots on the pavement of the courts Sunday morning in Konehete Veterans Park. Dressed in a variety of athletic costumes – the most impressive being the colorful, pleated skirts worn by many ladies – the athletes clutched their paddles and hunched forward, ready for rousing matches of pickleball.
The USA Pickleball Association – yes, there is such a thing, complete with a president and board of directors, with details at usapickleball.org – calls the sport “highly contagious.” They have good reasons to make this bold proclamation.
Firstly, the game is game is easy to learn. It borrows the simplest rules and strategies from ping-pong, tennis and badminton.
Additionally, the equipment is unsophisticated, meaning within reach for a variety of people, including children and seniors. Each player uses what looks like an oversized ping-pong paddle to swing at a miniature-size yellow whiffle ball.
Secondly, it’s considered a low-impact sport helping balance, agility and reflexes. But thirdly – and this is what gets local players out of their beds on Sunday mornings – it’s social.
Candice Laney, one of the early birds on the pickleball court Sunday, said with a smile, “I love it!”
Frank Bachteler added, “It’s social.” Bachteler gets his exercise from running but plays pickleball for the community connections.
Breeze Daniel laughed, “I play to spend time with my bestie (Laney), have a good time and to try to lose weight!”
Patricia McGraw made up the fourth member of their game. She plays for all of the reasons listed by her teammates.
“I meet new friends; it’s a social activity,” McGraw said. When asked about the early morning playing times, she brushes it off. “It doesn’t matter; it’s worth it.”
The game can become highly competitive, as it is fast-paced and exhilarating. The Economist magazine named pickleball “the fastest-growing sport in America.” Pickleball has even enticed some of Hollywood’s red-carpet stars, like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Owen Wilson.
Like all sports, pickleball has its own language system. But in pickleball, the terms sound less aggressive and more whimsical.
“Bangers” for example, refers to those who drive hard shots; or “the kitchen,” naming the area on either side of the net. A “dink shot” is one that arcs the net, landing in a non-volley zone; and, strangely enough, “falafel,” which is thrown as an insult against a player whose shot falls short due to a lackluster swing.
A spectator at the pickleball courts will be treated to good-natured competition and a whole lot of laughter. While Murphy folks play for the fun of it, they wouldn’t mind a little community support.
“If you’re driving by a match, give a little honk to say hello,” McGraw said. She cautioned drivers not to lay on the horn, but a little tap, apparently, is pickleball courtesy.