FROM THE USAPA
In Athens, Georgia, in our recent third-annual Pickled Peach Pickleball Tournament, we had an entrant who was 90 years old! NINETY! How do you offer a 90-yearold a level playing field? A chance to compete and medal? You automatically give him a Gold medal for the 90-year-old age group at his skill level. He had no peer competition, yet he still got to play down in the 70 + age group and lost. He got to play, to compete and won the gold. Being the only 90-year-old present, do you ignore( and disregard) his age when he has little chance of winning games against younger players? No! In a level playing field, he wins the Gold, plain and simple!
Let’ s say four 90-year-old players, two 80-year-old players and eight 70-year-old players entered the same tournament. Logically, you establish brackets for their play as 70 + at their skill level; in this case all are 3.0 players. You keep track of their scores and compare their results only in their age categories, e. g. the two teams of 90-year-old players are going to win Gold and Silver medals; the 80-year-olds team wins Gold medals; and the 70-year-olds teams will win Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The playing fields can be leveled by decades or half a decade, such as 70-74 brackets and 75-79 brackets or 70-79 brackets and so forth.
A level playing field needs to be established per age groups and their skill levels being competitive among themselves. This could be regulated by the USAPA, recognizing that Open play will not and should not be affected by these new guidelines because, as in any sport, the best of the best rises to the top regardless of age. Their level playing field is self-established and maintained by their 5.0 plus skill level.
Pickleball is a valuable asset to the sports world and especially to the communities holding tournaments. A fully attended tournament boosts the local economy in housing, eateries, tourist shopping, gas stops and the tournament sponsors with their wares. A level playing field will ensure full tournaments. Without leveling the playing field I predict that many players will stop playing in tournaments where they are matched with younger players; in which case, everyone loses. I am hopeful that this article is the beginning of a needed change to the way most tournaments are currently established. I am also hopeful that the USAPA will be supportive of“ leveling the playing field” as it is good for the game, good for all. •
Jerry L. Brinegar, Ph. D.-M. Div.-LMFT 706.202.9193 jbrinegar @ bellsouth. net athensareapickleball. com
Back in the Swing
For a friend battling cancer, pickleball‘ helped give it all back.’
BY ANDREA( ANDY) JONES, USAPA AMBASSADOR- OREFIELD, PA
My pickleball friend, Debbie Becker from LBI, NJ, shared her inspirational story about how pickleball helped her physically and emotionally after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She gave me permission to share her story. IN HER OWN WORDS:
After a whirlwind nine months, starting with a breast cancer diagnosis and resulting treatment( which included a double mastectomy, 12 weeks of very difficult chemotherapy, reconstruction, and an oophorectomy), I found pickleball to be instrumental in my return to mental and physical well-being.
Stepping onto the court shortly after my last surgery, my baseball cap hiding my lack of hair, I found being able to hit the ball, working with a teammate and scoring points incredibly empowering. Focusing on mastering the mechanics, as well as the art of the game, engaged me mentally and physically and transformed me from feeling powerless and weak to someone who was strategic and strong. My fellow players were generous with compliments, honest with critique and willing to work with me to hone specific skills of the game— bringing my play to another level and my self to another level of wellness and confidence that had eluded me in the past year.
Pickleball, while initially seeming to be a huge distraction, was in fact taking me within myself, healing and strengthening me. I loved waking up every morning and becoming exhausted after hours of play. I loved my fellow players. I loved the day we played in the misty rain because none of us wanted to miss even a day of this sport. Pickleball made me feel so happy, grateful, strong and smart. What I hated most about my cancer was that it hijacked my body and mind; pickleball helped give it all back to me. •
MAY / JUNE 2017 | MAGAZINE 31