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A year ago in Peoria, Ariz., Mike Pagliarulo and a few senior citizens obtained permission from their homeowners’ association to add chalk lines and portable nets to a full-sized basketball court to make three pickleball courts. After six weeks, the group included more than 20 regular players; they asked further permission to replace the fading chalk lines with semi-permanent paint. After nine months and another upgrade, 97 enthusiastic players were using the courts.
If you have underutilized tennis courts--or basketball courts--consider turning to an up-and-coming sport that is uniquely suited to add new life to old courts.
An Introduction
Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a perforated plastic ball similar to a Wiffle ball, and wood or composite paddles about twice the size of Ping-Pong paddles. It can be played indoors or outdoors, with singles or doubles. Special apparel is not needed--merely something comfortable and appropriate for a court sport.