175th Article for the Independent

Pickleball for the community

CHRIS DRUMMOND

Sports Writer

By Chris Drummond

cdrummond@Marshallindependent.com

MARSHALL–Pickleball is growing!

Last Monday, the Marshall YMCA held a community pickleball event. The event had around 75 people in attendance including the Director of Ambassadors for USA Pickleball Steve Stone. The event was put on to advocate the rules and game of pickleball to the residents of Marshall. Afterward several of the attendees stayed around to play. Stone talked about his passion for pickleball and the reason why people should get involved with the sport “There is a couple of things that are great about the sport of Pickleball,” Stone said. “It can be played by anyone and also can bring generations of family together to play all at once on the same court.”

Stone also added that wheelchair pickleball is in the Olympics and is inquiring about having more tournaments out here in the state of Minnesota.

Dave Planting, an instructor/player of pickleball also shared his thoughts on the sport and his love for teaching the sport.

“What I love about pickleball is that I’m a competitive person who loves to play,” Planting said. “I also love teaching the sport. I have taught over 200 people in Arizona and around 75-80 people here in Marshall. It is rewarding to me to help someone learn the game “

Planting added if you’re a beginner the and you want to play or are on the fence about playing, he advocated coming out taking lessons, learning to play, and having fun. Once you learn, you can walk on any pickleball court to play.

Karen Dolan, an active player of pickleball, talks about what she likes best about the sport.

“I’m a very social person,” Dolan said. “I love connecting with others and networking. So it is a universal sport that you could play with anyone and that is fun.”

For more information on where to play pickleball, you can play all five days at the Marshall YMCA. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 am-noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginners play at the same time, 9 am-noon. There is also a Facebook group you can join called MAP ( Marshall Area Pickleball), which has 93 members thus far and growing!

Also starting November 1st, pickleball will be played at Parkside Elementary in Marshall on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m to 9 p.m. You can register to play pickleball at Parkside Elementary by going through Marshall Community Services website.