Pickleball Magazine 5-2 WD | Page 8

PUBLISHER’S PLAYBOOK I t’s amazing what a difference a few weeks can make. Last issue, we were telling you all about the upcoming tournaments and events booked for 2020, and now a lot of us are living restricted lives or being told to shelter in place until further notice. I saw a meme online that showed the planet Earth with a giant “Sorry, We’re Closed” sign on it, and that pretty much captures the moment we’re living in now. But there’s always hope. I’ve always been a “glass is half-full” kind of guy and, yes, I worry for my family, my employees and my community, but those of us who play pickleball are a tight-knit bunch, blessed with boundless optimism and a willingness to go the extra mile for each other. This is a time of societal evolution. A lot will change for Americans as we pull together to support each other and a lot of the possibilities that have been staring us in the face that we may have been reluctant to adopt will become mainstream. My own staff has been working from home during these times. Teachers have been quick to adopt online learning models using virtual meeting apps or YouTube videos. Museums, zoos and musical organizations have been streaming exhibits and performances for patrons. We, too, can adapt. If we can’t play with our partners, we can still stay up on our sport, practice and reap the benefits of pickleball that aren’t first-thought, like improved mental health. Our feature, “Just What the Doctor Ordered,” on page 32, highlights the physical, emotional and mental health benefits of the game. Another article on page 68 further explores the weight-loss benefits of pickleball for its players. There are parts of the country where public parks are still open. We’re fortunately going into the summer months, so open-air venues will be available to us if only for a quick pick-up game. It’s not ideal, but it’s doable and it’s how our sport started originally—as a makeshift construct—which is how many localities start their programs today. Remember to check with your local municipalities first, as I can’t speak for every location or every quarantine rule in place. But there’s hardly another sport out there where all you need to play is the gear you already have and a roll of tape. These are hard times, but we’ll get through them. Training camps and tournaments will come back when appropriate and safe. But for now, we have to rely on the experts and on each other. Check in on your partners, your friends and your loved ones. We’re more connected today than at any point in human history. How we get through this is up to us. See you on the courts! Wayne Dollard Publisher 6 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM A Publication of Dollard Publishing Co., Inc. 11 Mayview Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317 www.thepickleballmag.com PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Julie Talerico [email protected] ART DIRECTOR Michael Miller SALES MANAGER Dominic Bianco CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Ansboury Jack Bandel Jim Berger Bob Carter Kelly Cox Joe Dinoffer George Dwyer Brandi Givens Alex Hamner Jennifer Lucore Craig Laughlin Tyson McGuffin Bob Nibarger Noe Sariban Jenna Tackett Alice Tym Bob Unetich Drew Wathey Dollard Publishing Co., Inc. publishes six issues of Pickleball Magazine per year. Subscriptions are $24 per year. To subscribe, call 888.308.3720 or go to thepickleballmag.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS PROHIBITED. © 2020 Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.