2020 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Phil Mortenson
VICE CHAIRMAN Laura Patterson
TREASURER Joe Santoro
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
AMBASSADORS Suzanne Guerin
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS & MARKETING
Stacie Townsend
MARKETING Bob Franceschelli
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS Robert Quicksilver
RECREATION & WELLNESS Ernie Medina
STRATEGIC PLANNING Philip Bullen
STAFF DIRECTORS
CEO Stu Upson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Justin Maloof
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
Karen Parrish
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
George Bauernfeind
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Linda Gartlan
DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING Mark Peifer
DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES Nikki Greene
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Dan Ellsworth
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
Carl Schmits
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE
Donn Paben
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS Laura Gainor
By Phil Mortenson
USA PICKLEBALL CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD MESSAGE
This issue of Pickleball Magazine features a variety of pickleball
products to satisfy all your pickleball needs . Accordingly , here is the limerick of the month promoting pickleball commerce and sympathizing with those staying safe but aching to get back on the court : If you feel like your body ’ s decaying And you want to get out and start playing , Despite feeling fragile , Go buy a new paddle And satisfy what you ’ ve been craving .
You may be wondering what the Return to Play Guidelines are . For current guidelines , please visit the home page on our website at
usapickleball . org , click on the coronavirus statement , and read the message on COVID-19 Return to Play Guidance .
For all of you observing the guidance on returning to play , it has been noted that pickleball is easier to play socially and competitively while maintaining social distancing because of the non-volley zone ( a . k . a . “ kitchen ”) that extends 7 feet from the net on each side of the court . From a COVID-19 safety standpoint , this built-in separation advantage over other racquet sports has been recognized by the New York Times and other news publications referring to pickleball as one of the preferred “ pandemic pastimes .”
This magazine issue also features an article celebrating the resurgence of pickleball on Bainbridge Island , Washington , where pickleball started . The article recognizes a trend in the return of family pickleball play , with increased sales of pickleball sets and portable nets . I was told by one of the promoters of the Founders Day Project on Bainbridge Island that another trend is grabbing hold throughout the country that tacitly honors the birthplace of the sport . Because Bainbridge Island sits in the northwest corner of the U . S ., its location provides players with an effortless way to determine who serves first in friendly matches . Simply designate the player occupying the northwestern service court at that venue as first server and start the game .
Thanks to all of you who continue to advance this sport with your membership renewals , your passion , your support , your stories , and even your quirky songs and other imaginative creations dedicated to pickleball . This is an unabashedly fun game and it ’ s also a great sport . Our job is to keep it growing so everyone can experience its benefits and its ( dare I say in this age ) infectious character . •
DECEMBER 2020 | MAGAZINE 9