Pickleball Club
History
November 18, 2014
General Information
Open court play is available to any Fiesta Grande resident, whether you are a Pickleball Club Member or not
A skilled rating is not required. You are responsible for supplying your own balls on open court play
Paddles and Balls are available for free checkout from 9 am to 4 pm in the Activity Office or City Market. On weekends, please see the front desk staff from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Please be prepared to bring your driver's licence with you
Schedules are posted at the Courts on the Notice Boards and on the Website under Pickleball Club Weekly Schedule.
Please ensure that you wear appropriate footwear (non marking soles). No sandals or flip flops.
For registration in the Club, please direct inquiries to fiestagrandepickleball@gmail.com. You will be directed to the relevant people
TO KEEP OUR COURTS IN GOOD CONDITION
- only running shoes with non-marking soles allowed on the courts
- please do not bring juices or sodas or any food into the courts.
- Please ensure that your shoes are clean and free of rocks/pebbles as this marks the court surface.
- Do not use any type of brooms on the court surface.
- Please do not bring dogs in or around the courts as per posted signs.
- The Club has a maintenance crew in charge of court cleaning.
Information about the Pickleball Club is posted on the Notice Boards. Contact numbers/emails are also posted
The Birth of Pickle Ball at Fiesta Grande RV Resort
- The three Fiesta Grande pickleball courts were offically opened by Beth Kortsen, our park manager, on Tuesday November 14, 2014 with a huge crowd watching the introduction to Pickleball.
- Pickleball players began using the courts immediately during open court play November and December.
- The first scheduled skill level play took place on Friday January 9, 2015 when women particpated in the First Intermediate Women's Round Robin play.
- On Saturday, January 10, 2015, the First Intermediate Men's Round Robin players took to the courts.
- Not to be outdone, Beginner's Round Robin play was scheduled Wednesday, January 14, 2015 when both men and women participated in their First Beginner Round Robin Event.
AND SO PICKLEBALL AT FIESTA GRANDE WAS BORN.
- Thanks to Les and Nikki Franke, who applied their knowledge and experience in the game of Pickleball, to set up a truly remarkable Pickleball Program here in our park. Tony Callandrillo (from Mission Royale) and Eric Sandstrom (our own in-house pickleball junkie) gave so much of their time to introduce all players to this newest addiction, helping with skill level ratings and clinics. Thank you for your help.
- By the beginning of March 2015 over 60 players were playing at the courts. Our Fiesta Grande Pickleball programs are the result of many volunteer hours, doing court maintenance, running skill level clinics, mentoring, court scheduling, skill level rating, sending emails, and generally keeping members informed.
AND WE CONTINUE TO GROW.
- At the November 20, 2015 Annual General meeting, pickleballers voted to form a FIESTA GRANDE PICKLEBALL CLUB charging a seasonal membership fee of $20 USD to cover costs of balls and other sundry expenses for Club administration.
- The expanded Skill Level programs now demand appointments of Round Robin Captains and Ladder Play Captains. Our membership is now 140 Plus members (2019).
What a remarkable accomplishment in such a short time due to everyone chipping in to do what needs to be done.
With growth comes a scheduling nightmare, trying to accommodate organized membership play at all skill levels and maintaining Open Court times for others.
AND SO AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF APPOINTED VOLUNTEERS HAS BEEN FORMED. It has the task of keeping the Club Programs organized, improving and even lobbying ENCORE for more courts to accommodate the ever growing number of Pickleball enthusiasts.
COME AND JOIN THE FUN, JOIN US NOW....
Additional Information
2023 - 2024 Season Pickleball Club Membership Fees
2023-2024 SEASON PICKLEBALL CLUB FEES ARE $20 USD PER PLAYER. TO BE PAID TO THE CLUB TREASURER.
The fee includes scheduled play, balls, liability insurance and activities throughout the season.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, YOU MAY CONTACT THE CLUB AT fiestagrandepickleball@gmail.com
How to Play the Game (Pickle Ball)
How to Play the Game
Basic Overview
Pickle-ball® is played on a badminton-sized court: 20’ x 44.’ The ball is served diagonally (starting with the right-hand service-square), and points can only be scored by the side that serves.
Players on each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed, and there is a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net, to prevent “spiking.” The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until he or she faults. The first side scoring eleven points and leading by at least two points wins. Pickle-ball® can be played with singles or doubles.
The Serve
Serves are to be made diagonally, starting with the right-hand service-square and alternating each serve. The serve must clear the seven-foot non-volley-zone in front of the net and land in the diagonal service court.
Serves should always be done underhand with the paddle below the waist, and the server must keep one foot behind the back line when serving. The ball should be hit into the air without being bounced. The serving side will continue to serve until the there is a fault on the service, at which point the service will be given to the opposing side. (However, if the ball touches the net but still lands within the appropriate service court, the serve may be taken over.)
Volleys
To volley means to hit a ball in the air without first letting it bounce. In Pickle-ball®, this can only be done when the player’s feet are behind the non-volley zone line (seven feet behind the net).
Double-Bounce Rule
Each team must play their first shot off of the bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. Once these two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.
Fault
A fault is committed when the ball:
- Is hit out of bounds
- Does not clear the net
- Is volleyed from the non-volley zone
- Is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side
Determining Serving Team
The serving team may decide who will serve first with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss will have the option to choose whether or not to serve first.
Court Dimensions
Pickleball courts should be 20’ x 44’ for both singles and doubles play. The net is lowered from the standard badminton height to 36” on the ends and 34” in the middle.
When laying out the court, it is ideal to allow adequate space outside the end and side lines for player movement. For this reason, we recommend the full court (including out-of-bounds areas) measure 22’ x 56.’ However, Pickle-ball® can still be played without extra side and back space.
For a printable PDF download, please click here.
Basic Strategy
Tips from The Experts:
Before you step onto the court, either indoors or out, make sure you are wearing the correct type of tennis shoes. Your shoes should have non-marking soles, provide stability for side-to-side movement, and have a flat, durable sole. Also, bring along some water to keep you hydrated.
The paddle you use should not be too heavy. Find one that gives you both touch/feel and power. The grip should feel comfortable in your hand with some cushion. You can always rewrap your grip or add a thin over grip. Remember to put your name on your paddle right away.
You have a choice to play singles, doubles or mixed doubles. When playing with equally skilled players as yourself, you will have good competition and lots of fun. All ages play this sport.
A game of pickleball is played to 11 points; however, you must win by 2 points. A game can last anywhere from 10 – 25 minutes. Players can only score points when they are serving.
To start, the serve must be hit under hand and the contact of the paddle to the ball must be below your waist. Each team must play their first shot after the ball bounces, and after that then both teams can choose to move forward up to the non-volley line or stay back at the baseline. It is best to move up to the non-volley line as soon as possible and make sure your partner follows you up. Partners should always move up or back and side to side together.
No volleying is permitted within the seven foot non-volley zone; this prevents players from closing the net since the court is so small. This promotes the drop volley or “dink” shot strategies where players skillfully hit shots over the net that land in the non-volley zone – or called “the kitchen”. If the balls bounces in the kitchen, then a player can step into the kitchen to hit it over.
Some tips: While waiting for the ball, keep your paddle high, centered to your chest – that way you’re ready for a shot on either side of you. Keep on your toes, anticipating the next shot. Keep the ball in play – let your opponent make the error. You should always warm up before you get on the court – 5 minute quick walk to raise your body temperature, and always have a cool down – some stretches or a slow walk to lower your body temperature back to normal. Stay healthy so you can play more pickleball! When the game is over, all players come to the net and tap their paddles together, as a gesture of “good game”. Instead of handshakes, pickleballers like to tap paddles and give a few laughs.
Hope this helps you with a basic understanding of the game. Remember this is a simple yet special sport; please spread the word about the wonderful game of Pickleball. See you on the courts…..
How to Join
FIESTA GRANDE PICKLEBALL CLUB
- Seasonal Membership fee to be paid to Club Treasurer –
Members who have paid their dues are able to participate in Skill level events such as Round Robins, Ladders and Clinics.
COME AND JOIN THE FUN, JOIN US NOW.
If you would like to become a member of the Fiesta Grande Pickleball Club, please contact us at:
PICKLEBALL MONTHLY SCHEDULE Season 2023-2024
Play from 8:00am - 5:00pm
Open play share the courts
Follow Covid-19 measures posted on pickleball bulletin board by the courts.
To book the ball machine email: fiestagrandepickleball@gmail.com
Introduction to Pickleball Clinic
THIS CLINIC IS FOR NEW PLAYERS TO THE GAME OF PICKLEBALL. IN ORDER TO LEARN HOW TO SAFELY PLAY THE GAME. THERE IS NO COST FOR THE CLINIC. IT IS HELD AT DAVE WHITE PARK ON TUESDAY & THURSDAY AT 4:30 PM. THEY SUPPLY PADDLES AND BALLS, WEAR APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR.
How the Club Works
FIESTA GRANDE PICKLEBALL SEASON 2023 - 2024
- A seasonal Membership Fee will be charged to cover the cost of balls, liability insurance and other sundry expenses for Club administration. The Club balls will be available court side on all three courts in dispensers and will be filled prior to scheduled round robin and ladder play times as well as clinics.
- Members who have paid their dues are able to participate in events such as Scheduled Play, Round Robins, Ladders, and Clinics.
- All Round Robin Captains have now been instructed not to allow anyone into Structured play unless they have:
1. Have paid their membership fee to the club treasurer.
2. Are playing in the correct group for their level.
* Please DO NOT attend a scheduled event for a different Skill Level.