My neighbor installed a pickleball court in 1983. Little did any of us know that he was on the cutting edge of a new phenomenon. Forty years later the sport has infused itself into retirement communities, public parks, upscale resorts, and even chatter about it becoming the next Olympic competition. Since 2016, Naples, FL has hosted the U.S. Pickleball Championships, and it recently became Washington’s official state sport. If you’re thinking about picking up a paddle or have already made pickleball part of your daily life, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) eResources have several articles to help you understand more about the rules, safety, and best places to pickle.
According to an article in Smithsonian from Humanities Source, in 1984 the United States Amateur Pickleball Association created the sport’s first official rulebook. The eBook Public Library Collection can bring you up to speed on more than just the rules, however. With the 2023 title, Play Pickleball: From Local Sports to the Pro Circuit, An Insider’s Guide to Everyone’s Favorite Sport, readers can learn about lingo and equipment, pickleball basics, the amateur scene, and even pro tips.
Not only is pickleball fun, social and competitive, but it also offers a great way for people of all ages to stay physically active. Consumer Health Complete delivers several articles to help you pickle safely. Prepare Yourself to be a Pickler, How to Avoid This Common Pickleball Injury, and The Problem with Pickleball are just a few quick reads to get you started. AARP: The Magazine from Health Source – Consumer Edition also reminds us to Pickleball Smart.
Pickleball has generated some tensions between ‘pickle’ enthusiasts and those who favor the long-cherished competition of tennis. In fact, The Tennis Club, a well-known facility in Newport Beach, CA, elected to spend $3 million converting tennis courts to 22 championship pickleball courts. The article from Regional Business News notes that some members adamantly opposed the project, suggesting that pickleball is “merely a fad.” Fad or not, new franchises with hundreds of facilities, such as PickleRage in West Bloomfield, are opening all over the country.
Finally, if you’re looking for the perfect pickleball getaway, MAS Complete shines a light on a weekend Pickleball Camp at South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island.
If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.
Brought to you by Ann Kaskinen from the MeL Team.
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