Almost Everything You Wanted to Know about Pickleball but Were Afraid to Ask

The Game that’s Seducing America and the World!

BY

KAREN STRINE

3rd Coast Books, LLC

19790 Hwy. 105 W. Ste. 1318

Montgomery, Texas 77356

Copyright © 2023 by Karen Strine

Published October 2023

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical. This includes photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations embodied in critical reviews.

3rd Coast Books, LLC

19790 Hwy. 105 W. Ste. 1318

Montgomery, TX 77356

www.3rd CoastBooks.com

ISBNs

Perfect Binding (Print)  978-1-946743-69-5

eBook/ePub  978-1-946743-70-1

Project Coordinator - Ian W. Gorman, Associate Publisher

Editor - Ian W. Gorman

Cover Artist – Kathleen Shields

Text Designer – Theo Viggers

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023916044

READER TESTIMONIALS

I have the distinct pleasure of recommending this book by Karen Strine! It is a wonderful compilation of facts, history, and anecdotes about the wildly popular sport of Pickleball. The book will appeal to experienced players, as well as those just beginning to learn the joys of the game. One is sure to learn something new and be amused at the same time. Like the game itself, it is highly entertaining — humorous, well-researched, and documented, and just a great read. I love this book!

— Barbara Johnson

USA Pickleball Ambassador

District Ambassador, MD East

"While I am not a pickleball player (yes, there are a few of us) I thoroughly enjoyed Almost Everything You Want to Know About Pickleball But Were Afraid to Ask. It gave me an informative overview of the sport so I can hold a conversation with those who play (and can talk about nothing else). The personal stories are endearing. You can feel their passion for the sport that enabled them to overcome personal tragedies. I encourage you to read this most entertaining book."

— Brenda Neff

"This book is ‘intended for fun’ and it achieves that! Like the game itself, the book doesn’t take itself too seriously but provides joy and entertainment in an easy-to-read style.

"Many readers will also be new pickleball players and they will appreciate the addictive nature of the sport. Strine recounts some of its history, starting with three dads who needed to entertain their kids, and explores the explosive growth of the sport today. Along the way, she provides ‘Pickleball Story’ anecdotes about chivalry, love, and some serious competition.

When you can’t be out playing on the local court, now you can at least be reading about your new obsession!

— Jim Lertola

  Novice Pickleballer

This book is a delightful piece of work full of information you probably didn't know. It's an easy read with all kinds of fun tidbits you can share with friends. Karen Strine speaks from the heart and it shows in this fun-filled little book that is factual, yet humorous. Filled with numerous cute anecdotal stories, you'll find yourself smiling as you read along, whether you are a weekend warrior, casual fan, or full-on pickleball fanatic like me.

— Daniel J Howard

Pickleball Addict, Coach, Clinician,

and Mental Game Coaching Expert.

Gold Medal 5.0 winner at the US Open in 2016

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter One: The Game that’s Seducing America

Pickleball Story: She Came Undone

Pickleball Story: National Champion Turned Instructor

Chapter Two: Ball, Paddle, Play

Pickleball Story: The Acrobat

Chapter Three: Age and Pickleball

Pickleball Story: An Independent Player

Chapter Four: Addiction and Obsession

Pickleball Story: Vicious and Delicious

Pickleball Story: The Driven Player

Chapter Five: Players and Their Hobbies

Pickleball’s Godmother

Pickleball’s First Superstar

Pickleball Story: A Player and a Gentleman

Chapter Six: Pickleball for Your Health

Pickleball Story: Love Hurts

Pickleball Story: Strokes Of A Different Kind

Chapter Seven: Peak-Performance Test Questions

Pickleball Story: Love on the Court in Trista’s Words

Chapter Eight: Ambassadors and Teachers

Pickleball Story: Teachable Moments

Chapter Nine: The International Pickleball Federation and its Global Diplomats

BRAZIL

SOUTH KOREA

CANADA

IRELAND

ARGENTINA

INDIA

THE CZECH REPUBLIC

JAPAN

GERMANY

SPAIN

UGANDA

Chapter Ten: The People of Pickleball

Chapter Eleven: Covid and Pickleball

Appendix A: Pickled Terminology

Appendix B: Resources

Apps, Social Media, Websites, and Blogs

Pickleball-Related Businesses

Associations, Leagues, and Governing Bodies

Pickleball-related Recycling Efforts

Now — Some Final Trivia

Appendix C: Refereeing Can Be a Calling

About the Author

Acknowledgments

To my husband, Pat: Thank you for supporting me in this project, and always in all of my projects over the many years. I’ve often been my own project.

And thanks to my family who inspire me daily and patiently put up with my constant talk of pickleball: Thank you for your loyal support and only occasional eye-rolling.

To Andy Tarburton, our local pro, who taught me pickleball: Thanks for the countless hours you spend teaching so many about the game and for drawing players from beyond our town to come and play.

To President Ken Swalgin and the White Rose Pickleball Association board members: Thanks for bringing the game to our town and for the dedication, time, and energy it took to get our club established. Ken has led the way for outdoor courts to be completed locally and recently introduced pickleball to Kinesiology classes in Croatia.

To my original editor, Jessi Rita Hoffman: Thanks for helping me tame my ideas into a manageable book and for the many hours you spent shepherding the project.

To my writing coach, Ann Kroeker: Thank you for the hours spent coaching me, giving me helpful information, and spurring me on with enthusiasm.

To all of the pickleball friends that I’ve enjoyed playing with, thank you. And to those who have never had the pleasure of playing with me, you don’t know what you’re missing.

And finally, to Ian Gorman, 3rd Coast Books, for his patience and clear vision in getting this book to market.

Introduction

WARNING: Nothing in this book is professional pickleball advice. Don’t try anything suggested here at home without a responsible adult present! Also, beware of the addictive quality of the sport. It can happen to anyone! After Phil Mickelson invited Doug Ellin to play, he later stated, One of the great regrets of my life, Ellin says, is that I didn’t find this sport earlier. I literally want every person in the world to play this game. You will view life as life before pickleball (LBP) and life after pickleball (LAP).

This book is mostly intended for fun. It offers some tips on how to get started playing. There’s also pickleball ‘cult information’ for all you diehards who are obsessed with the game and just can’t get enough of all things pickleball.

For specifics about buying a paddle, and tips on playing and serving, please consult a pickleball pro where you play. There are also YouTube videos online with lots of information and tips on playing pickleball.

As you read through the book, if you find a pickleball term you don’t understand, check out the appendices at the back for simple (and silly) clarifications of pickleball terminology.

Now that I’ve explained all that, I wish you happy reading, and hope that you enjoy this book about pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the country and world! And remember, you might be playing with or against the doctor who read your mammogram or performed your prostate exam, or your hairdresser on a bad hair day. But you’ll have fun!

— Karen A. Strine,

Author and confirmed

pickleball aficionado

Chapter One: The Game that’s Seducing America

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.

- Dale Carnegie

Why is everyone talking about pickleball? a nonplayer (these people do exist) may ask, thinking about family, friends, and neighbors who have become addicted to the game and joined ‘the movement.’ "Pickleball is