RATINGS REALITY CHECK
BY ALICE TYM
M
ost players would find it unfair for a 5-year-old to be in the same age
category as a 20-year-old in a tournament. At the same time, however,
they often don’t see the same inequity when a 75-year-old player is put
in with a 60-year-old. That’s because they were once 5 and can relate, but they
haven’t been 75—so they can’t in that case.
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If you look at the results of the Margaritaville US Open, the higher-rated
seniors were dropped down into age groups where they could not compete. If
E
you look at regionals and larger tournaments, there are few players in the upper
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age categories. If you look at the SSIPA point winners, the charts show few players,
period. Why? Pickleball is no fun when older players are forced to play against people
who are physically untarnished. The larger draws require greater stamina (e.g., heat
affects older players more than younger ones).
PI
ON
OF
S AN
D POINTS
Many seniors have quit playing tournaments. That makes even fewer partners available for those who
do want to play. These departures reduce the size of the draws so those who are left are dropped down even farther.
So what are the options for the 75+ player? One is to appeal to have your rating lowered. Ratings are based on paddle
skills. They don’t take into account speed, agility and stamina. Is there anyone out there dumb enough to think a 4.5
80-year-old is comparable to a 4.5 30-year-old on a hot day in a 32 draw? The ratings make no sense without separating
men and women and age categories.
What’s the solution? Make all tournaments 75+ age only. This way there will be enough players to make a full category
instead of a series of two to four-team 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 brackets. If you don’t use ratings, then how do you seed?
Rankings are the answer. Rankings are based on performance. This is the method used by recognized sports including
tennis, badminton, table tennis, etc. in their national championships. Having rankings encourages players to play major
tournaments—they mean something. If an 80-year-old man wants to be ranked #1 in the U.S., he can go after the ranking
by playing tournaments in his age category. There’s no reason seniors can’t have this privilege.
Using 75+ age for the 75s, 80s and 85s would simplify the draw for tournament directors. It would also enable a ranking
process. The rating system would also eliminate the need for seniors to sandbag or to quit—and pickleball would end up
with true national champions who can be examples of the benefits of staying active.
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