Posts
When the signs go up at Zuck Park, another post will be made with more specific guidelines.
A final and important reminder: we were ALL new to open play at some time. Please be kind to newcomers because it is very overwhelming to show up at a park and not know how it operates. Every player of every level is welcome at every local park! That is the EPPA way. If you do not want to play with a beginner, that is fine... stack your paddles with other players, but maybe politely point out some other beginners so that person can meet players and get in some good games!
Flashing back to Andre's post about Court Etiquette, this was my favorite line:
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 these facilities built.
Open Play Reminders
Elena Arnold
posted 10 months ago
Any time new pickleball courts open up, there are going to be some growing pains. We (EPPA members) can help facilitate some of the flow at the courts because many of us have been participating in the open play scene for some time. Not everyone who plays is an EPPA member (yet!), so some are unaware of how play at public courts works.
First and foremost, we can advise and reference signage (court rule signs are coming to Zuck Park soon), but much of it is in the way we approach it. It is perfectly acceptable to remind a group that the norm in pickleball is one game to 11 and rotate off if others are waiting. It is also acceptable to tell two people playing singles that singles play is not permitted when there is a line of people waiting. It is NOT acceptable to yell at players to exit the court.
If there are people not following the rules of open play, reference the signage and explain the procedures. You can also ask an EPPA board member to approach the group if you do not feel comfortable. If they choose not to follow the rules, we can report the group to the City or Millcreek to deal with it further.
Zuck Park wasn't quite as busy due to the fencing, but that has changed! I played there this morning and there were 6 courts going and two groups waiting to rotate on. The paddle racks are hung and when the courts are full, we should be using them! That signals to groups that people are in line and they must rotate off the court to allow another group to play.
A good point was brought up today: people have been going to Zuck Park and setting up shop inside the fencing. I'm guilty of it, too. I like to be close to the action for optimal viewing (and heckling). Now that the park is busier, chairs and bags should be placed outside the fencing to allow for better flow of traffic and more room for the players.
When entering and exiting courts, either wait for the point to be over to pass OR go outside the fencing. I know the grass is wet in the morning and people don't want to walk through and then have slippery shoes, so then simply wait for a point to end and then proceed to your court.
As always:
When are the most popular times to play if you want to go and mix in? Generally 8:00-11:00 am (sometimes longer) and 5:00- 7:00 pm. Show up, stack your paddle, and rotate in!
Can I bring my own set group to play with? You can stack your paddles together, but know that if the courts are full and people are waiting, your group must rotate off after one game and get back "in line". If the courts are empty, you can stay on and play.
Also:
First and foremost, we can advise and reference signage (court rule signs are coming to Zuck Park soon), but much of it is in the way we approach it. It is perfectly acceptable to remind a group that the norm in pickleball is one game to 11 and rotate off if others are waiting. It is also acceptable to tell two people playing singles that singles play is not permitted when there is a line of people waiting. It is NOT acceptable to yell at players to exit the court.
If there are people not following the rules of open play, reference the signage and explain the procedures. You can also ask an EPPA board member to approach the group if you do not feel comfortable. If they choose not to follow the rules, we can report the group to the City or Millcreek to deal with it further.
Zuck Park wasn't quite as busy due to the fencing, but that has changed! I played there this morning and there were 6 courts going and two groups waiting to rotate on. The paddle racks are hung and when the courts are full, we should be using them! That signals to groups that people are in line and they must rotate off the court to allow another group to play.
A good point was brought up today: people have been going to Zuck Park and setting up shop inside the fencing. I'm guilty of it, too. I like to be close to the action for optimal viewing (and heckling). Now that the park is busier, chairs and bags should be placed outside the fencing to allow for better flow of traffic and more room for the players.
When entering and exiting courts, either wait for the point to be over to pass OR go outside the fencing. I know the grass is wet in the morning and people don't want to walk through and then have slippery shoes, so then simply wait for a point to end and then proceed to your court.
As always:
When are the most popular times to play if you want to go and mix in? Generally 8:00-11:00 am (sometimes longer) and 5:00- 7:00 pm. Show up, stack your paddle, and rotate in!
Can I bring my own set group to play with? You can stack your paddles together, but know that if the courts are full and people are waiting, your group must rotate off after one game and get back "in line". If the courts are empty, you can stay on and play.
Also:
- Bring plenty of water.
- There are not balls at the courts- players bring their own. The most widely used outdoor pickleball is the Franklin X 40. Click for more info on this ball if you are interested, they can be found anywhere that sells pickleball gear.
- On windy and/or sunny days (so most days you would play outside)- the general rule of thumb is to switch sides at six points to make it fair for both teams. This is up to the players of that game.
- The most fun and competitive games occur when you play on a court with other players of your same skill level.
When the signs go up at Zuck Park, another post will be made with more specific guidelines.
A final and important reminder: we were ALL new to open play at some time. Please be kind to newcomers because it is very overwhelming to show up at a park and not know how it operates. Every player of every level is welcome at every local park! That is the EPPA way. If you do not want to play with a beginner, that is fine... stack your paddles with other players, but maybe politely point out some other beginners so that person can meet players and get in some good games!
Flashing back to Andre's post about Court Etiquette, this was my favorite line:
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 these facilities built.