Pickleball

“doubles” format—that is, two players on either side of a low net, on a court the size intended for badminton, and with rules similar to tennis or ping-pong. Mackie further espoused the diversity of the sport: “Beginners can go out their first time, learn the game, have fun and even win a few games. But advanced players stay challenged and keep coming back for more. This unique quality is a big reason why pickleball continues to grow. It is a sport for all ages.” Cofounder of the Pickleheads website, Mackie is committed to increasing the awareness and accessibility of pickleball. The page directs users to courts based on locality, lets them organize games and even provides links to recommended gear.

All you need to learn the sport at the Easton Family YMCA on Washington Street is a decent pair of sneakers, an open mind and a little free time. The Y offers a free class on the basics available even to nonmembers the first Friday of every

A name you can depend on to provide faithful, professional Chimney and Hearth Services month. The Easton Family YMCA on Peachblossom Road has ten available outdoor courts and four indoor to accommodate the growing popularity of pickleball in the area, with several alternate venues, such as Causeway Park in Oxford, the Pauline F. and David W. Family YMCA in Cambridge, the Cambridge Tennis Park and the Perkins Family YMCA in St. Michaels. The game is so in vogue that it requires grassroots organizing.

Nick Papson, an official pickleball ambassador to the Eastern Shore appointed by the USA Pickleball Association, told me, “The game has been so popular recently because it’s cheap and easy to play, easy to learn and a lot of fun. Pick- leball has something for everyone, at every skill level.” Nick’s position is on a voluntary basis, and his enthusiasm for the sport is palpable. “My job as an ambassador is to grow the game in this area and foster the passion.” He emphasized the mix of folks in this community who play together: “In general, pickleball is a great social leveler;