Your Turn to Speak Out

By Matthew Schwartz
February 20, 2024

If you’re like me, you’re consumed by pickleball. When you’re not playing, you’re thinking about it. You talk about it so much that you drive your significant other crazy, especially if he or she doesn’t play or isn’t as obsessed as you are (I speak from experience on this one). Your phone contacts has so many pickleball friends that when you go to that great pickleball court in the sky, if a non-player down here sees your contacts list they’ll think most of your friends had the same strange last name: “Pickleball.”

When you’re not playing or talking about pickleball you’re shopping for paddles, court clothes or shoes or reading reviews about them. If Playtime Scheduler is down you have a panic attack. If you double date with a couple who doesn’t play, you fight the urge to talk about pickleball the entire time. It’s like a couple expecting a baby who talk ad nauseam about the pregnancy to uninterested friends.

But pickleball devotees love sharing stories with each other. That’s why today for the first time instead of profiling someone or writing about a hot pickleball topic, I’m turning most of my weekly blog over to fellow players. If enough readers say they enjoy the concept, it will be a periodic column. Send comments to mhs7386@gmail.com.

I reached out to members of my pickleball groups on Facebook and some folks I’ve played with in Asheville, NC. I asked them what they like and dislike about the sport.

 

Cody Heyer, 28, Richmond, VA. 4.3 DUPR (Dynamic Universal Player Rating)

Likes

Inclusiveness, physical exercise, mental strength, and social interaction. As long as you’re a decent player and nice, most people will happily invite you to play with them and it brings a smile whenever I see that happening. The social interaction is clearly what has made pickleball become the phenomenon that it is. Can’t get enough. 

Dislikes

I would say the thing that irritates me the most is seeing beginners using the most expensive paddles. It’s not the paddle, I assure you. Many companies make excellent paddles for under $150 now that are perfect for beginners. 

Next, I get disappointed when I see people targeting weaker players in rec play. We aren’t getting paid to win and aren’t playing for a medal, [so] play a competitive game. I progressed quickly because I play rec games with the intent to get better, not to win. So when I play open play or rec, I’m typically hitting to the stronger player or working on shots I don’t normally work on. 

 

Tim Kadom, 56, Roswell, GA. 3.58 DUPR.

Likes

  1. When the people on the court or something that happens in the game makes me laugh. 
  2. The friends I have made playing the game.
  3. When I recognize that I have improved in some area of the game.

Dislikes

  1. When an opponent is too serious, and consistently makes bad line calls in their favor because they are so focused on winning.
  2. That I feel my age in my knees and my shoulder and my arms after I play.
  3. When I witness rude players or bad sportsmanship on the court.

 

Jen Bonfilio, 59, Asheville, NC, 3.0 DUPR.

Likes

  1. I love encouragement before and/or after a play, both when shots are made and missed. Compliment a good shot or good serve.
  2. Choose me as a partner.

Dislikes

  1. Unsolicited coaching.
  2. Don’t call the score when serving.
  3. Poach unnecessarily (I’m not against poaching in general but some men take it to another level.)

 

Gene Brady, 67, Durham, NC. 3.5 DUPR.

Likes

  1. People I play with, 95 out of 100 players are terrific, great camaraderie. There's occasionally the player who thinks they are God's gift to pickleball, or they take it too seriously, or they're insecure about how they play and cover it up with gruffness. But the other 95 players are definitely worth it.
  2. Getting better. I really enjoy seeing my play improve. A couple of years ago I couldn't hit the side of a barn, now I'm playing and beating 4.0 players. It's due to a lot of drilling and a lot of playing, and it's paying off.

Dislikes

  1. I can't play pickleball eight days a week.
  2. When my partner or I hit a return near the baseline and the other team doesn't call it in or out. From our vantage point, it looks in, from theirs, it looks out. Just say it's out! 
  3. Players that explain all their missed shots. "It was the sun". "It was the wind". "I haven't warmed up yet". "It skipped off the line". Ben Johns has plenty of misses, and so do the other pros. Just play the next point!

 

Ken Coston, 59, Anchorage, AK 2.87 DUPR.

Likes

  1. Met some great people playing this awesome sport. Met people from Canada, Tennessee, California, and Florida on cruises playing pickleball, exchanged numbers and text every so often.
  2. The helpful attitudes people give to beginners, many realize without beginners the sport will never grow. We should always be ambassadors for this sport.
  3. Great sport girlfriend and I can do together and both of us share any day you can play pickleball is a great day.

Dislikes

  1. Notice there are people who give pickleball a bad rap by their behavior. These are the people who don’t take the time to help beginners, forgetting they were once a beginner.
  2. Friend had started and asked a lady for some pointers, lady made it crystal clear she didn’t have time to help a beginner. Friend made sure to never forget that lady’s face and got redemption when she crushed her to take the gold in mixed doubles 3.5 play. She tells me that incident fueled her to be better and learn everything she could take in as a sponge. She also uses that to make sure she takes the time to help beginners.
  3. Not enough courts to play on.

 

Barney Agate, 69, Tamarac, FL. 3.35 DUPR

Likes

What I love, love, love about pickleball is the collegial learning environment, the friendliness of pretty much all players, that there is a geek/nerd component to enjoy with paddles, the health benefits from losing weight, and the sheer joy of playing a sport that everyone enjoys. 

Dislikes

First, that one person who uses our off-hour scheduling app and says I’ll be there, and then 50% of the time she’ll be a no-show. Second, the player who when a point is lost will ALWAYS turn their back to the court and never retrieve the ball. Lastly, the “banger” who “altruistically” plays down and then body-bags said players…in our over 55 community. 

 

Bill Wolfe, 69, Asheville, 3.5 DUPR.

Likes

  1. Social Aspect- Meeting new friends is every bit as important as the sport of pickleball. Friends make the world go around.
  2. Physical Aspect - While I have suffered from Plantar Fasciitis in the past, I think the physical part of pickleball keeps it in check. Regular exercise helps the sound mind as well as the body.
  3. Player ethics - For the most part, all players are honest with the "ins and outs" of the game. When in doubt, call it IN. 
  4. Playtime Scheduler- Great use of technology to gather players together.

Dislikes 

  1. Player attitudes - While most players bring a great attitude to the court, some bring their baggage, which, at times, brings others down. Most players encourage others when they are having a bad day, but some don't.
  2. Player involvement – Sometimes when we have a small group of 4 to 8 players, we end up with the dreaded 3 players. Communication among the small groups (the morning of) would make for a better experience for everyone.

 

Sandy MacMillan, 68, Cornelius, NC. 3.0-3.25 DUPR.

Likes

I love dinking! I love when really good players (4.0 or above) slow down their game to play with lower rated players and enjoy! The best ones encourage you and help your game. Pickleball has brought an amazing group of people into my life. On the pickleball court they don't care what you did for a living or my politics! Amazing support system. For me the biggest thrill is when suddenly I get a new shot or skill out of nowhere.

Dislikes

  1. I used to get annoyed by partners who coached me during a game. Now I find male partners who feel they have to take every shot obnoxious. My personal quirk is that I can't play if my partner is talking!! Opponents who don't seem to be having fun bother me!
  2. I definitely avoid players that bother me!
  3. Usually I don't respond to criticism during a game. Except for maybe rolling my eyes. It can throw my game off though. I mean it's rec play not the Olympics!!!

 

Barb Anderson, 69, Virginia Beach, VA (No rating given)

Likes

I love that it is a great lifetime sport playable by all ages and levels. My nine-year-old grandson now plays it in PE. Our rec center is set up where you put your paddle against the wall when you arrive, the first four there go and play...then the next four, etc. After you have finished the game the winners stay on and the next waiting players jump in.

Dislikes

When someone decides they really want to play with someone else and moves some paddles. Even adults can't always follow the rules. Generally, people don't take themselves too seriously. It is kind of amusing when someone does. You want to remind them at 70 you are probably not going to Wimbledon.

 

Stephanie Raj, 33, Pine Island, MN. 3.5 DUPR

Likes

  1. I love being able to see players of all ages on the courts and that age has no limit on one’s potential. 
  2. It is easier on the joints and body then tennis and has such beneficial health proponents. 
  3. I love the strategy of the game, as you grow you learn it isn’t about smashes, drives and fastballs all the time but about placement, specific shots to set up the next few plays and waiting for the right opportunities to place those shots or creating those moments. 

Dislikes

The rating system can be a frustration- example DUPR algorithm constant changing. Certain clubs and higher levels can be more cliquish and I’m always a big proponent of spreading the sport, giving a player a chance to excel and grow up in the game vs excluding them. 

 

Ken Cardinal, Asheville, 67. DUPR 3.5

Likes

  1. Joyful play.
  2. People who view this as a “game”.
  3. “I love the smell of pickleball in the morning”. 
Dislikes
  1. Those who bang the ball hard from a position at the net.
  2. Those who choose not to partner with others not as good as they are.

 

My thoughts of the week, not all pickleball

After watching the terrific true crime documentary American Nightmare on Netflix, I think some cops in the Villejo, CA Police Department should be ashamed of themselves. And Lt. Misty Carausu of the Dublin Police Department should be hailed as a hero.

I think CBS Sunday Morning is the best news show on television and has been for many years. Feature reporter Steve Hartman is a wonderful storyteller who does poignant, feel-good stories.

When I began playing pickleball some of my experienced partners often told me during games “move up, move up,” to the kitchen line. I remember not liking that. In-between games it was not only fine with me, I welcomed the reminder and all constructive criticism. Now when I play with partners who constantly stay back (many are former tennis players and others who never took a lesson), I recall when I was scolded while staying back and bite my tongue.

Whenever I’m channel surfing and come across the 1994 film, The Shawshank Redemption, I can’t turn it off no matter how many times I’ve seen it. I love any story in which justice triumphs over corruption.

I keep seeing ads on Facebook from a big gambling service saying it’s coming to North Carolina, and all I can think of is that countless North Carolinians will have a lot more debt.

When I hear the incomparable Louis Armstrong sing What a Wonderful World, I feel good about everything.

Back to blog