Pickleball

by Deonna Osborn

It's a Big Dill for Jason & Ally Otts!

Jason Otts, husband, father of four, and local Realtor, has introduced the Wylie community to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country – pickleball. His family enjoys playing this unique game together, particularly his oldest daughter Ally. He also has taught his Keller Williams team the game of pickleball, and many members have introduced the game to their own families.

Pickleball began in Washington State in 1965 with three dads whose kids were bored with their typical summertime activities. The game quickly evolved from the original homemade equipment and basic rules and rapidly gained traction throughout the United States and internationally. Interestingly, popularity grew much more quickly in areas of the country with larger retirement populations, such as Florida. More and more older adults began to play and enjoy the game, which provided an excellent form of exercise with low joint impact, as well as simple, easy-to-understand rules.

This popular game is now played with wooden paddles and a ball that has a Wiffle ball feel but is a bit smaller. Tournaments have begun to pop up around the country and locally.

Jason initially became exposed to the game in 2018 when he bought a vacation home in Arkansas and watched several seniors playing a tennis-like game on a court. He struck up a conversation with a couple of the

older gentlemen and soon engaged in his first game of pickleball using borrowed equipment. Jason likes to tell unashamedly that he was beaten during those first games by an 80- and 85-year-old, making him fall in love with the game even more. It made him realize pickleball is one of the few sports that relies more on strategy than athleticism, allowing folks of every age to participate.

Jason and his 16-year-old daughter Ally began playing at approximately the same time. USA Pickleball hosts 11 regional tournaments and supports and sanctions over 200 tournaments annually throughout the United States. Jason said he regularly plays in four to five tournaments each year. “One of the aspects I like best about the game,” he said, “is meeting people that were strangers that become friends because you are bonding over the love of the game.” Jason and Ally have played in multiple tournaments together, recently taking gold in the father-daughter duo category at the national indoor tournament in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He began teaching other community members last year and currently provides instruction to several kids. Ally aspires to begin a pickleball club at Wylie High School.

Tennis companies such as Penn, Head, and Franklin have begun offering sponsorships to professional pickleball players. In addition, there is discussion of bringing the game to college campuses and even

incorporating it into the Olympics in the near future. In fact, the International Federation of Pickleball is pursuing efforts to have the game featured in some manner at the Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

Although the game can be played in the street by taping off a court and using a portable net, traditional tennis courts are frequently modified. A pickleball court is smaller than a standard tennis court. Many local cities have erected courts through their parks and recreation departments. The City of Wylie has three pickleball courts. Other neighboring cities have embraced the game with open arms, using tournaments to raise money for their parks and recreation departments and erecting as many as 12 courts. Some local neighborhoods, such as Sage Creek in Wylie, have set aside weekly lessons and playing time in order to expand and accommodate for play. Jason regularly participates in the Sage Creek events, teaching and mentoring new players, ranging in age from 13 to 80. He mentioned one family with children as young as 8, who love coming out to learn because it is a sport in which they can all participate and play at all levels.

Jason said he feels there are many life skills learned from the activity. “Leadership is at the top of the list of these skills learned,” he said. Through his volunteering at tournaments and instruction, he is reminded of the value of mentoring youngsters and the example that is set at every engagement — both on and off the court. The social influence of a leader is vital at multiple levels. This can be seen when coordinating courts, playing in a game, or even in fostering friendships. Another important life skill fostered through pickleball is sportsmanship. Although there is much crossover between the games of racquetball and tennis, there are many sportsmanlike features that are unique to pickleball. For example, instead of high-fiving, paddles are tapped. If a game is completed with one opponent scoring zero points, it is said that player “got pickled.” Learning how to have fun and making

friendships of varying ages and backgrounds is another life skill Jason said he finds invaluable in his pickleball journey. Through the mutual love of the game, he’s seen a teenager and a senior play doubles and share a success, creating a moment unattainable by arguably any other sport. The two individuals are only related through pickleball, but they have learned to rely on each other through the match and volley to one another throughout the course of the game. For at least the duration of the game, they are equals.

Several theories and rumors exist as to how the sport obtained its name. Perhaps the most widely held is that it was named for the inventor Joel Pritchard’s dog, Pickles. Another theory is that the name of the game originated after Joe’s wife said it reminded her of a pickle boat. With a pickle boat, the crew is chosen from the leftovers, lending itself to a mixture of all types of people.

Pickleball is undoubtedly a sport unparalleled, from its name to its execution to its ability to last a lifetime. Jason Otts has rolled out the red carpet for this game in the Wylie community, acting as an ambassador to the USA Pickleball Association and a leader in the sport. He has also exhibited true leadership in giving back, not only to the game but to the community through all those he meets as he encourages others to become active and involved in family fun. •

Gold Medal Winners at the Spa City Classic Tournament.

Gold Medal Winners at the Lisa Marek Memorial Tournament.

Silver Medal Winners at the Rowlett Rumble Tournament.