Viewfinder: Seniors Rock the Court in Hartland

Pickleball is a fun, energizing activity offered for men and women aged 50 and older at the Hartland Senior Center. Hartland was one of first venues in Michigan offering the sport, and the group of players expands every month, with players from many area communities.

So what is Pickleball anyway?

Pickleball is a court game that combines elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. It's played on a court the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court with the net at 36 inches on each end and lowered to 34 inches at the center. The ball is of the perforated plastic sort, similar to a whiffle ball. The paddles are made of wood or composite materials. Pickleball is easy for beginners to learn and play, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game for advanced players.

According to the USA Pickleball Association, the game was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA, by a group of friends that included Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington state. The sport was named after Pritchard's dog, a cocker spaniel named Pickles. The dog seemed to most enjoy chasing stray balls, taking them from the court only to hide with them in nearby bushes. They must have found that amusing, because the inventors named the game after the dog. In recent years, the sport has spread from its roots in the Pacific Northwest to become hugely popular all over the country.

Watching a few matches, it's easy to see why the sport is growing in popularity, especially with baby boomers and seniors. It's a miniaturized version of tennis with less running, less strain on the knee joints and less overextension of shoulders and elbows, yet still demands quick reflexes and agility and provides exercise and community.

Hartland Pickleball senior's league was established and organized by Jim Parker of Hartland. He is assisted by volunteer coordinator Mary Hepp. Hepp was filling in for Parker we visited on Tuesday. Members of the Pickleball committee in Hartland are Hank Navarro, Jim Parker, Connie Anderson, Sheila Brown, Rich Pniewski, Patty Papke and Paul Schultz.

"Tuesday morning games sometimes attract up to 60 participants," Hepp said. "We're joined by players with a wide range of skill levels, from beginners learning the basic rules, to advanced players like Hank Navarro, who won a gold medal in the Michigan Senior Olympics pickelball competition last year."

So put on your court shoes and head over to the senior center, 9525 Highland Rd., and see for yourself what pickelball is all about. Morning games usually begin at 10:30 am on Tuesdays and Fridays, but check the website for a current schedule. New construction/renovations are underway at the center and some sessions will be rescheduled in the coming weeks.

Questions: contact Alice Andrews, executive director of the senior center, at 810-626-2136.