Pickleball Updates

[Shaka Shart]

Flip flops are fine

[Jay Bee]

If you're playing once a week and want to be the best version of yourself, I think spending $100 on a paddle is very reasonable.

If you're playing 3-4 times a week and in uber competive groups, every edge matters so I could see a $250+ paddle.  Think of it like golf. Most guys wouldn't blink at $1000 for a set of clubs.

IMO, if you want to make the biggest upgrade...get court shoes.  If you're out there playin with running shoes on you're not doing yourself any favors.

Definitely need good shoes. I found some that work well for me (Wilson Rush Pro Ace) and I buy a few pairs each time they go on sale. I'm playing ~6 days a week, and after 2 months they are pretty worn.. 3 months I've gotta switch 'em out. [Only significant issue has been right toe, which has grown in width by like 9 times].

Paddles, shoes, overgrip, tape/weights, paddle cleaners, bags, etc. add up.. not to mention gear (have resisted eye wear but may go that route at some point.. have had some close calls) and medical stuff (knee braces, elbow brace, biofreeze, leg massagers, etc).. oh well, it's been worth it.

The amount of Marquette conversations is incredible... last week ran into a gal who lived on my floor in Campus Town junior year.. hadn't seen her ~30 years but we were at the same open play.. yesterday, was at a park and got into a game with an older gentleman (70ish?) who was a Xavier guy.. he was excited to see the MU gear... 'We are the Big East! Let's pretend our opponents are the Big Ten!'. We won 11-2.

Gotta get ready for my men's 3.6-4.5 league tonight... need a good outing after a miserable performance last Tuesday.

[Shaka Shart]

imagining the person who goes to a store in the Detroit airport called "frivolous" to buy a shirt with pickleball paddles on it that says "day dinking"

[TallTitan34]

yesterday, was at a park and got into a game with an older gentleman (70ish?) who was a Xavier guy.. he was excited to see the MU gear... 'We are the Big East! Let's pretend our opponents are the Big Ten!'. We won 11-2.

[Jay Bee]

In another example of my exemplary pickleball etiquette, I refrained from making a joke about the guy's age and the similar age of last year's Xavier bball team. 

[wadesworld]

In another example of my exemplary pickleball etiquette, I refrained from making a joke about the guy's age and the similar age of last year's Xavier bball team. 

And a perfect example of why pickleball isn't a sport.  70 year olds have no issues competing with still old, but much younger people.

[The Sultan]

Sorry, I think the pickeball craze is a little annoying, but it is hard for me to claim that it isn't a sport. It's a physical activity that includes a method of scoring to determine winners and losers.

[rocky_warrior]

It's an eSport.  Elderly.

[Jay Bee]

And a perfect example of why pickleball isn't a sport.  70 year olds have no issues competing with still old, but much younger people.

Not true. Sure, I know many 70 year olds that could beat up on you in pickleball, but a 4.0 50 year old beats a 4.0 70 year old consistently. The reality is that many tournaments break down divisions by age, often by 10-year groupings. It's a perfect example of your #FakeNews #Lies.

Could LeBron hang with Royce Parham, or no way?

[wadesworld]

Not true. Sure, I know many 70 year olds that could beat up on you in pickleball, but a 4.0 50 year old beats a 4.0 70 year old consistently. The reality is that many tournaments break down divisions by age, often by 10-year groupings. It's a perfect example of your #FakeNews #Lies.

Could LeBron hang with Royce Parham, or no way?

LeBron is still in his early 40s.

I'm sure there are 70 year olds that could smoke me in pickleball.  I have better things to do than swing my arm while being stationary and cover an entire side of a court.

[Shaka Shart]

Not true. Sure, I know many 70 year olds that could beat up on you in pickleball, but a 4.0 50 year old beats a 4.0 70 year old consistently. The reality is that many tournaments break down divisions by age, often by 10-year groupings. It's a perfect example of your #FakeNews #Lies.

Could LeBron hang with Royce Parham, or no way?

I had an old 4.0 get mad at me for moving him around the court. Take that for what it is worth.

[The Lens]

I don't play Pickle bc I think it's the most taxing sport ever.  I swim for that workout. I play Pickle bc I do think it's a good test of athleticism (some speed, some coordination, some brains) and I think it's a good way to get together with friends and have a constructive hour or two. We (4 couples) played for 3.5 hours on Sunday --- a great way to spend the Holiday weekend. We also drank a few beers so we were probably net Zero on calories burned BUT imagine if we didn't play Pickle...we'd be in the red. 

[Jay Bee]

I had an old 4.0 get mad at me for moving him around the court. Take that for what it is worth.

Yeah, wads doesn't know what ze are talking about.

Nonetheless, that sucks about the old grump. A VAST MAJORITY of folks seem pretty cool, but I definitely come across some whiny jagoffs here and there on the court.

Yesterday morning (park open play), I returned a serve between my legs -- I do this occasionally -- it's a terrible shot -- doesn't look cool or graceful and makes it more difficult to place the ball and put pace on it, but it's entertaining to myself and usually gets a chuckle out of other players... but,.. I think we were up like 8-2 when I first did it in this game.. and the guy is like.. 'I don't appreciate the showing off'... wasn't sure if he was just joking or really irked, but the next chance to volley he gets, tries to rip one right at me, but got eaten up by my answer. Screw him.

A true Warrior's sport.

[wadesworld]

Yeah, wads doesn't know what ze are talking about.

Nonetheless, that sucks about the old grump. A VAST MAJORITY of folks seem pretty cool, but I definitely come across some whiny jagoffs here and there on the court.

Yesterday morning (park open play), I returned a serve between my legs -- I do this occasionally -- it's a terrible shot -- doesn't look cool or graceful and makes it more difficult to place the ball and put pace on it, but it's entertaining to myself and usually gets a chuckle out of other players... but,.. I think we were up like 8-2 when I first did it in this game.. and the guy is like.. 'I don't appreciate the showing off'... wasn't sure if he was just joking or really irked, but the next chance to volley he gets, tries to rip one right at me, but got eaten up by my answer. Screw him.

A true Warrior's sport.

How in the world did you not return it between your legs on the very next serve?

[Jay Bee]

I don't play Pickle bc I think it's the most taxing sport ever.  I swim for that workout. I play Pickle bc I do think it's a good test of athleticism (some speed, some coordination, some brains) and I think it's a good way to get together with friends and have a constructive hour or two. We (4 couples) played for 3.5 hours on Sunday --- a great way to spend the Holiday weekend. We also drank a few beers so we were probably net Zero on calories burned BUT imagine if we didn't play Pickle...we'd be in the red. 

100%. I will say the amount I pour sweat and the steps taken, heart rate, etc. is BIG TIME. At this point, it's also a big exercise in mental discipline for me. And I've met many great people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Saturday there's a group of us meeting in the AM to play, then having a BBQ at one of the player's houses in the afternoon. Probably will be a crew of 20 or so.

I also love that there are so many 'ways' to play.. can be elderly folks that wads envisions just slapping the ball around to 'stay active'.. that's cool.. or can be a friendly open play with randos where you need to adjust down as needed.. or DUPR recorded sessions where things get ticked up a bit.. DUPR leagues... DUPR tourneys.. DUPR tourneys with $$ and prizes on the line.. it can be so casual or extremely tense and competitive.

I didn't notice until today actually.. that there was a PPA Pickleball game for PlayStation released last year. Probably awful (at least compared to other sports games), but I'm tempted to just throw the $30 or whatever at it to give it a try. 

[wadesworld]

100%. I will say the amount I pour sweat and the steps taken, heart rate, etc. is BIG TIME. At this point, it's also a big exercise in mental discipline for me. And I've met many great people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Saturday there's a group of us meeting in the AM to play, then having a BBQ at one of the player's houses in the afternoon. Probably will be a crew of 20 or so.

I also love that there are so many 'ways' to play.. can be elderly folks that wads envisions just slapping the ball around to 'stay active'.. that's cool.. or can be a friendly open play with randos where you need to adjust down as needed.. or DUPR recorded sessions where things get ticked up a bit.. DUPR leagues... DUPR tourneys.. DUPR tourneys with $$ and prizes on the line.. it can be so casual or extremely tense and competitive.

I didn't notice until today actually.. that there was a PPA Pickleball game for PlayStation released last year. Probably awful (at least compared to other sports games), but I'm tempted to just throw the $30 or whatever at it to give it a try. 

Maybe I'll get the PS5 game and burn as many calories as going out and playing.

[Shaka Shart]

Yeah, wads doesn't know what ze are talking about.

Nonetheless, that sucks about the old grump. A VAST MAJORITY of folks seem pretty cool, but I definitely come across some whiny jagoffs here and there on the court.

Yesterday morning (park open play), I returned a serve between my legs -- I do this occasionally -- it's a terrible shot -- doesn't look cool or graceful and makes it more difficult to place the ball and put pace on it, but it's entertaining to myself and usually gets a chuckle out of other players... but,.. I think we were up like 8-2 when I first did it in this game.. and the guy is like.. 'I don't appreciate the showing off'... wasn't sure if he was just joking or really irked, but the next chance to volley he gets, tries to rip one right at me, but got eaten up by my answer. Screw him.

A true Warrior's sport.

If he didn't want you to hit a cocky shot maybe he should play better

[Jay Bee]

In a bit of a weird area now... sitting at 4.1 officially, but may be a tad better.. so many people I've play/played with are in the 3's.. but now I feel like I shouldn't do like 3.5-4.0 open plays with them.. all level open plays are hit and miss.. sometimes there will be a number of 'advanced' folks that tend to stick together and that works.. other times, just need to really slow it down and practice on certain things... it's still enjoyable, I just have a hard time reading individuals -- some like paying tougher competition, while others I think get a little irked. Oh well.

Today, doing a 4.0+ open play.. but there's over 30 people and it's not verified --- that said, if there's a bunch of folks not sniffing 4.0 (I think there will be), I'm inclined to not take it too easy since they signed up for 4.0+.

Next up:
Saturday 7am - Men's Doubles. Rough start time in a decent-sized weekend tourney that has ~400 participants, but I'll be ready. I rarely play men's doubles, but did a cash-prize one a week and a half ago (that got locked down because of the shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, MN) and it went ok (first loss came in semis). Hoping for a good showing...

Sunday 2pm - Mixed Doubles. My partner is from Holland, but went to UC-Berkeley. Instead of matching uniforms, we have agreed to wear our respective school gear which are very similar. #JordanBrand   This will be an interesting one, as we know/are friends with several of the other teams... she plays Women's Doubles Saturday afternoon, so less rest time.. and I will probably throw back 19 beers (courts are connected to a taproom/restaurant) while watching matches of friends in the afternoon Saturday.. but the 2pm start time gives some space for 'recovery' before Sunday.

Time to get #LostInTheFight

-------------

PS - equipment updates

Switched from Six Zero DBD 16mm to the 14mm a while back... but then copped a Six Zero Ruby 14mm... which I struggled with, so went quickly back to the DBD 14mm... and it's working really well for me. Feel like I have way more power and pop with the Ruby, but don't really need it and not great controlling it.. my feel with the DBD 14mm is really good now, and have comfortably moved to a backhand twoey that feels great.

Tried some cheap overgrips from Amazon... some rando brand that was crazy cheap. They suck. Grips feel like mush quickly -- going back to nicer ones.

Other notes -

Still making some stupid decisions and have plenty of attainable path to getting markedly better. Sights set on 4.3-4.4. After that, will need to make some fairly big changes/improvements.

Knees (and one ankle) are shot. Can't imagine playing without knee braces on.

2.5 weeks ago won a 18-guy tourney.. two pools of 9.. from those games, went into a championship pool and consolation pool.. I went 6-1 in the champ pool to win the gold.. the association that put it on has social media posts it does... have had a number of people come up to my at open plays / parks / etc. and say congrats after they saw me on the Gram and FB. #HumbledAndBlessed

[Jockey]

More, please.

[tower912]

Shot 80 today.  Had to par the last 4 to do it.  6300 yard, slope 126.  Two way miss with the driver led to way too much punching out of the trees and wedging on.  Good speed with the putter.  Lipped out 3 times, alas, but made a 30 foot bomb with 5 feet of break on 17 to keep the dream alive.

[wadesworld]

In a bit of a weird area now... sitting at 4.1 officially, but may be a tad better.. so many people I've play/played with are in the 3's.. but now I feel like I shouldn't do like 3.5-4.0 open plays with them.. all level open plays are hit and miss.. sometimes there will be a number of 'advanced' folks that tend to stick together and that works.. other times, just need to really slow it down and practice on certain things... it's still enjoyable, I just have a hard time reading individuals -- some like paying tougher competition, while others I think get a little irked. Oh well.

Today, doing a 4.0+ open play.. but there's over 30 people and it's not verified --- that said, if there's a bunch of folks not sniffing 4.0 (I think there will be), I'm inclined to not take it too easy since they signed up for 4.0+.

Next up:
Saturday 7am - Men's Doubles. Rough start time in a decent-sized weekend tourney that has ~400 participants, but I'll be ready. I rarely play men's doubles, but did a cash-prize one a week and a half ago (that got locked down because of the shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, MN) and it went ok (first loss came in semis). Hoping for a good showing...

Sunday 2pm - Mixed Doubles. My partner is from Holland, but went to UC-Berkeley. Instead of matching uniforms, we have agreed to wear our respective school gear which are very similar. #JordanBrand   This will be an interesting one, as we know/are friends with several of the other teams... she plays Women's Doubles Saturday afternoon, so less rest time.. and I will probably throw back 19 beers (courts are connected to a taproom/restaurant) while watching matches of friends in the afternoon Saturday.. but the 2pm start time gives some space for 'recovery' before Sunday.

Time to get #LostInTheFight

-------------

PS - equipment updates

Switched from Six Zero DBD 16mm to the 14mm a while back... but then copped a Six Zero Ruby 14mm... which I struggled with, so went quickly back to the DBD 14mm... and it's working really well for me. Feel like I have way more power and pop with the Ruby, but don't really need it and not great controlling it.. my feel with the DBD 14mm is really good now, and have comfortably moved to a backhand twoey that feels great.

Tried some cheap overgrips from Amazon... some rando brand that was crazy cheap. They suck. Grips feel like mush quickly -- going back to nicer ones.

Other notes -

Still making some stupid decisions and have plenty of attainable path to getting markedly better. Sights set on 4.3-4.4. After that, will need to make some fairly big changes/improvements.

Knees (and one ankle) are shot. Can't imagine playing without knee braces on.

2.5 weeks ago won a 18-guy tourney.. two pools of 9.. from those games, went into a championship pool and consolation pool.. I went 6-1 in the champ pool to win the gold.. the association that put it on has social media posts it does... have had a number of people come up to my at open plays / parks / etc. and say congrats after they saw me on the Gram and FB. #HumbledAndBlessed

Bro is wearing knee and ankle braces to cover a 20 by 22 foot area with a ball that moves like 35 mph in a non-contact sport.

Anyway, congrats!

[Shaka Shart]

We got our tennis teammate to promise to stop playing Pickleball within a week before a match vs a good team because it makes you actively lazy on the tennis court.

[Jay Bee]

#ActivelyLazy

Anyway, just got up from a nap. Heading out shortly for a 4.0+ open play. Lots of kids in their twenties, lotsa 4.3+ players. #MeasuringStick #Iron #RiseNgrind

[wadesworld]

#ActivelyLazy

Anyway, just got up from a nap. Heading out shortly for a 4.0+ open play. Lots of kids in their twenties, lotsa 4.3+ players. #MeasuringStick #Iron #RiseNgrind

Sounds about right.  Lunch into a nap into pickleball right to bed.

[Jay Bee]

Sounds about right.  Lunch into a nap into pickleball right to bed.

You play a girls' sport while wearing knee pads w 6 guys a side on a small court. #dafuq #cuckboi