Isn't it a grand sight to see our beloved sport flourishing, especially with the new addition of six superb courts at Baldwin Park? Truly, we're living the dream!
Here are a few pointers to ensure we all bask in the joy of this game while maintaining a healthy spirit of competition:
Gratitude First: Before we even hit our first serve, let's pause and appreciate our good fortune. It's a sight for sore eyes, this pickleball boom. A reminder of the shared passion that brings us together and we’re very thankful for the work our members, our leadership, and our city have put in to get this facility built.
Play Your Match, Not Your Mismatch: The new Baldwin sign is hanging on the fencing of the south courts facing the blue wall. The City chose the wording carefully, including the fourth bullet point. “During open play times, rotate in with players of same skill levels”. We advocate playing with peers who match your skill level. See a paddle and unsure of that player’s level? Ask. If you are a beginner and hesitant to play with more advanced players, ask to stack with other newer players. This ensures an enjoyable and competitive experience where no player feels overwhelmed or under-stimulated. It's all about striking the right balance!
The Challenge Court: Fancy testing your skills? Court 4, nearest the wall and furthest from the sidewalk, is our designated Challenge Court. Winners get to stay on for up to three consecutive games without having to split. This is a golden opportunity for anyone wishing to elevate their game by playing other competitive pickleballers. This court will have its own dedicated paddle holder with two paddles going in for every new game unless it’s the (hopefully not too rare) instance where all four players are coming off as a team has just won 3 in a row. Labels for the paddle holders are coming shortly!
Court Rotation: The remaining five courts will operate on a rotating, first-come-first-serve basis. The next set of four players in the paddle holder will rotate onto the first available court, ensuring a lively and dynamic game environment.
Arranging the Stack: You're welcome to organize a game and arrange your stack of four, keeping in mind the next available set of four slots. For instance, if there are already two paddles in the holder, you'd need to skip the two empty slots and place your stack in spots 5, 6, 7, and 8. However, those two players waiting have the right to try and fill the court with other waiting players. But remember, if they can't find others, a full stack of 4 takes priority to get a game going without delay. Please move the magnet maker to the next grouping and NOT the actual paddles.
If people choose to stack together, it may be because they’ve played before and know it will be a fun game, it may be that they’re long-lost friends who haven’t played together since last season, or it may even be that they have a grudge match that they need to settle. Try not to take offense because there are usually dozens of other players to mix in with.
Our goal is to create a fun-filled, respectful environment where everyone enjoys the sport we all love. So let's all remember to play fair, respect each other, and above all, have fun!
Keep dinking, and remember, this game is so special because of the fun and the friendship!
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