PICKLEBALL
IN THE FALL:
East Tennessee’ s Premiere Pastime
BCQ | SHANON ADAME Daniel Adame plays pickleball at the Bassel Courts in Alcoa.
BY LEE ZIMMERMAN
Baseball may be America’ s favorite pastime, but if East Tennessee is any indication, Pickleball is rapidly making strides of its own. A mixture of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, it gives players and participants a fun, friendly and an ideal way to partake of social interaction. The rules are simple enough for beginners, but it can also become a challenging competitive game as players progress. Most people like the fact that no prior sports ability is required whatsoever.
In addition, it can be played outside or in. The Pickleball court is about a third the size of a tennis court, plus paddles are used instead of rackets while serving and receiving the whiffle balls.
The origins of Pickleball can be traced back to 1965 when it was originally conceived on Bainbridge Island in Washington State by three dads who wanted to create a game that could be enjoyed by the entire family. In 2013, The Smoky Mountain Pickleball Club was founded, and now, a dozen years later, it boasts a membership of approximately 225 players ranging in age from 15 to 88, with the average age of most players in the mid 60’ s. Membership costs $ 50 for the year. The group meets indoors three or four times a week and when they do so, the rapport between the players is evident. No special or expensive equipment is required other than a good pair of
sneakers and a paddle.
Blount County has several places to play, including the two permanent outdoor Pickleball courts provided by the Maryville- Alcoa-Blount County Parks and Rec. They include Bassel Courts in Alcoa which boasts eight courts and John Sevier Park which offers six courts. In addition, courts are also available at the Maryville First Baptist Church gym and at Everett Recreation Center in the winter. More recently, the Tremont Lodge & Resort in Townsend has opened two new courts for both residents and visitors.
“ First of all, we are offering the use of our Pickleball Courts complimentary to the public, so we wanted to invite the Smoky Mountain Pickleball Club to use our courts at their leisure, first come, first serve,” said Michelle Davis, Director of Sales & Events for Tremont Lodge & Resort.“ We have equipment at the Front Desk for members who want to bring friends or families that don’ t have their own equipment.”
Then there’ s Pickleville, located in a space that was once given over to volleyball and tennis. It now offers eight indoor and six outdoor courts devoted exclusively to pickleball. Since its opening in April 2024, it has become a major mecca for pickleball enthusiasts, as well as a popular gathering place to socialize and observe the competition.
BCQ | SHANON ADAME Folks play pickleball at the Bassel Courts in Alcoa.
4 | BLOUNT COUNTY QUARTERLY • FALL 2025