LOOKING FOR A NEW SPORT? TRY PICKLEBALL. AND, NO, IT'S NOT JUST FOR WARM-WEATHER AND SENIORS.

One of the fastest growing sports in the world involves a court and a net. And, no, it's not tennis or badminton, it's pickleball. Yes, that pickleball, the one played in warm-weather, your grandma plays, and the one you may consider beneath your athletic pay grade. Time to rethink that. Pickleball has had a 650 percent increase in numbers over the last five years, according to USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). The biggest subset of that growth is not in the over-55 crowd, says executive director of USAPA, but the younger set. “When the sport first caught on in the sunbelt states around 2009, it was at 55-plus centers and RV communities,” he says. “It snowballed from there. But these days, there are many municipalities and parks and rec departments that are setting up courts, making it accessible to a younger crowd.”

That’s how 29-year old Mike Smith first learned of the sport. The Danbury, CT, real estate professional gave the game a try through his local parks and recreation department and before he knew it, he was hooked. “I fell in love with it, found a league and soon was playing five days a week,” he says. “I wanted to help it grow locally, so I became the league director.” Now Smith oversees 50+ leagues that plays on multiple days per week and offers beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. The Wednesday night, intermediate league now has 250 players, up from just 20 a couple of years ago. And while there are certainly seniors in the leagues, there are plenty of middle-aged and younger participants moving around the courts as well.

What is pickleball exactly? Pickleball is something of a mix between tennis, racquetball and ping pong. Players use special paddles and a wiffle(like) ball, and games take place on courts of all kinds with specific pickleball lines. Nets and court sizes are smaller than their tennis counterparts, and the most common game is doubles, although singles is also an option. It has its own set of quirky rules — for instance, try to stay out of the “kitchen”— but they’re easy to learn.

Josh Jennings, who is Smith’s 31-year old partner and plays in professional tournaments around the country, says the game appeals for several reasons. “For one, it’s very social,” he says. “You’ll see a big mix of demographics out there.” Another factor Jennings appreciates is its mental component. “You need to out-think your opponent,” he says. “There’s a lot of strategy that goes into playing.” The game is also quick, making it a convenient way to get in some exercise. Games in a typical league run only 15 minutes each — you can get in as little or as much as you want. Smith likes to go for broke. “I wear my fitness tracker when I play and after two hours, I’ve moved the equivalent of five miles of walking,” he says. “But the nice thing is that if you’re playing doubles, you can get in a workout without killing yourself.”

Pickleball is inexpensive and requires minimal gear. Pickleball is also affordable, making it accessible to all. A beginner can pick up a basic paddle and balls at local sporting goods retailers or online for around $40, although prices for composite paddles can run into the hundreds of dollars. As the game grows and spreads throughout the country, access to many municipal courts is inexpensive, and even league play is relatively cheap when compared to other racquet sports.

Because most pickleball games are played on retrofitted tennis courts, it’s quick and easy for a parks and recreation department to get the game up and running, too. “You don’t need dedicated courts, so with some tape and a portable net, you can be good to go within a half hour,” says Smith. All of these factors are contributing to the rapid growth the sport is enjoying, but so too is a push from USAPA “We’ve got over 2,800 ambassadors out there spreading the word.” Adding, “We’ve also got a ‘places to play’ database all over the country, and the sport is getting a great deal of attention from the media right now.”

There’s no shortage of information available for the beginner on up to the elite, from a dedicated YouTube channel, to a bi-monthly magazine, and even books on the topic. Jennings, for his part, has co-authored a children’s book on the sport called “Pickleball with Pop,” aimed at drawing kids into the game.

What about the cold weather? Welcome to Pickles, Where Pickleball Fanatics Gather to Dink and Drink. Opening March 2021! New England’s largest, first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art pickleball-only complex offering: 25,000+ Sq. Ft. Climate Controlled Facility, 6 Indoor Tournament Sized Courts, 2 Dinking Courts, 4 Outdoor Courts, Players Lounge, Mezzanine Viewing, Beer & Wine Café, Retail Shop together with Memberships, Drop-In, Private Court Rental, Leagues and Lessons.

•Pickles was founded by Lisa DeMeritt and Wanda Melampy, two women with a passion for the sport of pickleball.  After being introduced to the sport and observing its huge following, they identified a need for additional local outdoor courts and an even bigger demand for indoor courts “exclusively” for the sport of pickleball.  “It’s the most approachable sport in the world,” according to DeMeritt. “Wanda and I only started playing last summer, and we just fell in love with it. We want to share this game and bring it to as many more people as possible.” “Pickleball offers such a fantastic recreational opportunity at so many levels,” added Melampy.  “We’re so excited to watch this grow and share our love for the sport.”

You’ve never seen anything quite like this place. Way to go girls! Pickles is located at 357 Columbia Road in Hanover, MA.