If you type “Pickleball Sacramento” in Google’s search bar, it may come as no surprise that the first result in the Google Maps directory is ACC Senior Services. This may be because ACC is home to some of the first ever pickleball courts in Sacramento, and also a popular gathering place for longtime and beginner players alike.
“We get people from everywhere vacationing or visiting Sacramento calling to ask where they can play pickleball,” said Program Director Linda Revilla. We went from three to four courts just to keep up with the demand. There are even people in their 80’s and 90’s playing.”
Revilla believes the sport is popular in the community because it allows players to get good exercise, meet new friends, and learn a fun new hobby.
Revilla shared a personal example of pickleball’s ability to attract new enthusiasts: “My friends played pickleball once and they went out that night and bought pickleball equipment. They were hooked after the first time.”
Program Assistant Anna Su agrees, and admits she occasionally takes breaks to see pickleball matches. “Sometimes I go outside to watch the players because it’s fun to watch,” she said. “People get addicted to it!”
With features similar to tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, the pickleball craze shows no signs of slowing down.
With features similar to tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, the pickleball craze shows no signs of slowing down. Although the sport was created in 1965, a 2018 AARP report states that pickleball is one of America’s fastest growing sports, and found that players experienced positive health benefits like lower levels of depression and improved blood pressure.
Throughout Sacramento and many parts of the country, it’s common to see municipal tennis courts alternatively used as pickleball courts, just by making simple temporary changes to the lines or nets.
Despite its current popularity, pickleball has only been at ACC for a few years and will begin its fifth season this March. Sunny Jung, Heman Lee, and Jeannie Fong were among the first volunteers to help establish pickleball at ACC, and have seen the impact it has made on the ACC community.
In 2015, Jung, Lee, Fong, and a few other dedicated volunteers were instrumental in helping ACC receive a grant from the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) to build its first courts. Led by an all-volunteer effort, ACC’s pickleball courts were ready for action once lines were painted, equipment was purchased, and clinics were organized.
Clinics are especially important because they introduce new and interested people to the sport, and the instructors strongly emphasize that pickleball is more about enjoying oneself than being competitive. “Our focus has always been to teach people how to play the game, socialize, and have fun, said Jung, who organizes and leads many of the clinics alongside Gary Elias Berg, another longtime player. “Even if you played little to no sports growing up, it’s a very easy game to learn. You can learn to play in a matter of minutes.” Jung adds that pickleball is not an intimidating or high-impact sport, especially because the average game only lasts about ten to fifteen minutes. “You may find pickleball is less stressful on your body,” he said.
To usher in the new season, the next ACC Pickleball clinic will take place on March 15, 2019, at 12:30 p.m in the ACC Community Room. The clinic will provide an overview and brief history of the sport, and attendees will get a chance to see tutorials and have one-on-one time with skilled pickleball players.
But for those who cannot make the clinic, new players are always welcome on the court. Drop-in sessions are on Wednesday and Friday mornings beginning March 20, and only cost $3 for three hours, which covers equipment on loan. Session schedules are dependent on weather, so it’s important to call ACC Programs on rainy days to check whether times are subject to change. There will also be a pickleball tournament at ACC’s Big Day of Giving Party on May 2, 2019, where players will showcase their skills on the courts.
Jung and Fong encourage others try pickleball because along with physical fitness, new friendships and great team camaraderie are bonuses. “We have potlucks and socials,” said Fong. “It’s just a very social group. You meet people who will leave an imprint in your heart for life.”
For more information on ACC Pickleball, including schedules and clinics, contact ACC Programs at (916) 393-9026. To donate to ACC Pickleball, please write a check to “ACC Pickleball” and mail it to ACC Senior Services, 7334 Park City Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831. Donations to ACC Pickleball go towards maintenance and repairs of ACC’s pickleball courts and equipment.
Picketball Terminology
From www.pickleballportal.com
Ace: A serve that is not returned by the opponent. Point is won on serve without being returned.
Dink Shot: A soft that arcs over the net and falls into the opposing non-volley zone.
Doubles: Pickleball game played between 4 people (2 on each team). Teams can be men, women or mixed doubles.
Overhead Shot: Any shot hit where the paddle starts high above your head and drives downward, similar to the motion of a tennis serve.
Serve: An underhand stroke used to put the pickleball into play. Serving team has two attempts to serve the point. Paddle must contact the ball under the server’s waist level.
Volley: Hitting the ball in the air before the ball has a chance to bounce onto the pickleball court.
Kitchen: The non-volley zone on either side of the net. If you are standing in the kitchen, you must let the ball bounce before hitting it.
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