photo submitted
Steve Loudenslager, from Mifflin, looks to hit the ball.
BURNHAM – Linda Rittenhouse found herself in quite a bind. The Reedsville woman and her husband, Jim, are avid tennis players, but with aching knees, she found crossing the court difficult.
The Rittenhouses were introduced to pickleball by a few close friends, and they have, one could say, enjoyed the sport ever since.
“They bought a vacation home in Florida during the winter months and started playing down there.” said Linda, explaining her love affair with the sport. “They learned how to play it down there and brought it back to us.”
The Rittenhouses normally play four days a week indoors at the Juniata Valley YMCA, 105 First Ave., Burnham.
“We had a small group of friends playing and it grew from there.” She added.
And how. For the past three years, Pickleball has been named the fastest growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, with more than 4.8 million players.
It can be played either indoors or outdoors, where two players (singles) or four players (doubles) hit a ball with racquets over a three foot high net. They shoot back and forth until someone misses, giving the other person or a point.
The first person or team to reach 11 points and win by a margin of two points is declared the winner. It was invented in 1965 as a garden game for children on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
While pickleball shares similarities with tennis, the court is the size of a badminton court.
“Pickleball is definitely a hit right now,” Stacey Falkner, Juniata Valley YMCA Program and Water Sports Director. “I think it’s similar to tennis that attracts people and it’s easy to learn, not a big court, slow, low impact, doesn’t require a lot of equipment and I think the social aspect that our pickleball group has together. “
The YMCA established three pickleball courts in one of its gyms.
Linda thinks the popularity of the sport has come about “wait a bit” sometimes, she said. “The games go fast.”
The average pickleball game lasts 15 to 25 minutes.
“A competitive game can last 15 to 20 minutes if there are a lot of volleys back and forth,” said Linda. “I think the standard game is 10 minutes or less.”
The health benefits are also important to them.
“We’re at an age where we’re trying to stay active,” said Linda. “It appealed to me because I was a tennis player and it was similar to tennis. It’s not the same, but there are some things that are similar. It also offers good cardio.”
With her knees aching, she admits she hasn’t exercised much. She is grateful to find Pickleball.
“It’s easier to play” said Linda. “And it has a shorter space, so there isn’t as much to cover.”
The YMCA pickleball court is open Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The entry fee for non-members is $5.
For more information, visit www.jvymca.org or call (717) 248-5019.
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