Pickleball saves Gutzweiler Park with decision to convert tennis courts

John Fogg watches as Janelle Schmitt returns a volley.

Bill Story may have left a legacy of sorts at Gutzweiler Park. After first broaching the idea during Mayor Terry Seitz’ first City Chat, he appeared before the Jasper Park Board on Tuesday to petition the conversion of a few unused tennis courts into Pickleball courts.

Bill Story setting up — Story setting up the temporary net for the matches.

The Park Board had no qualms with granting the request to allow the changes to be made at Gutzweiler park. After hearing about the sport and the changes that would need to be made, they approved a budget not to exceed $4000 to purchase the materials—mainly netting and windbreak material—necessary to turn the two tennis courts into four Pickleball courts. In fact the board was excited to see and hear about a sport that could turn an under-used park almost mandated for decommission into a new sporting complex that would appeal to folks over 50.

The questions remain, what is Pickleball and why is it called Pickleball? Back in 1965 a Washington State Senator and a friend created the game when they were unable to play badminton because the rackets were broken. The two cut the rackets short but then couldn’t find a birdie, so they played the game with a plastic ball. The game continued to evolve when the badminton rackets weren’t sturdy enough for the plastic ball and the two created paddles similar to those used in ping pong.

Pickleball_Paddles — Pickleball paddles and balls.

Through the experience the rules became loosely based around badminton. So where did the name come from? It seemed the original ball belonged to the senator’s family pet, a cocker spaniel named Pickles. Pickles chased the errant ball and carried it away during the games, thus the name became Pickleball.

The game is played on a much smaller court than tennis. It measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long and the net is only 34 inches high compared to the 42 inches of a tennis net. Teams score on their own serve as in tennis, ping pong, and badminton and the first team to 11 wins. The complete rules can be found at the USA Pickleball Association website as well as videos on how it is played and even plans for converting tennis courts to Pickleball courts.

Matt argues — Matt Harper argues a call with Bill Story remaining unconvinced. Harper had stepped into the "kitchen" (that area beginning in front of his toe) while returning a volley. Harper jokingly contended he was in the "bathroom" not the kitchen.

Story was converted after playing in Syracuse, Indiana while vacationing with some friends. “My wife would take her parents to a community center and she just happened to be there when someone said they needed some more players for Pickleball,” he said. “She played it and then told me about it. I played it during our stay and then when we came home, I found I was having Pickleball withdrawal.”

switching the paddles — The group switch gear while taking turns playing. Deidra Story (blue) introduced her husband to the sport but she remains a social player while Bill has become addicted.

Currently, Story leads a group of about 15 people twice a week in playing the sport at Gutzweiler Park. The group is mainly composed of fellow workers he has cajoled into joining his new passion, but the simplicity, social nature and it’s-just-plain fun aspect of the sport keep them coming back. So on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. the group meets and plays until everyone’s tired, but it’s hard to get tired and the friendly banter is hard to leave.

According to Story the game is the fastest growing sport for those over 50. “The game is easier on the knees and relies more on finesse than speed and power,” Story explained. “You’re hitting what is basically a Wiffle ball, so it slows down quickly and curves.”

Parks Superintendent Ken Buck is excited about the prospect of creating another recreational activity for Jasper’s growing baby boomer population and breathe some life into a park that by all accounts was on the chopping block. The Parks Department plans on saving money by possibly modifying existing tennis nets, but the expected cost is estimated at approximately $2000.

Story has cultivated a group of 14 people that play the game and another group of about 20 players has been found in the area. Anyone interested in trying out Picklball is invited to Gutzweiler Park in Jasper on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.