Category: SJPA Sponsored

The ball is in the air. Your partner yells “out.” The ball lands in. However, your opponents stop playing because of the “out” call. What’s the call?

This scenario plays out seemingly all the time on the pickleball courts. Luckily it is explicitly addressed in the pickleball rulebook where it states that calling the ball out before it bounces is considered partner communication. Therefore, the ball can still be played if it lands in.

Yelling “out” after the ball bounces, on the other hand, is considered a line call that ends the rally.  In this case, the “out” call was made before it bounced. Therefore, the rally continues. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Troon Names Selkirk Sport First “Preferred Pickleball Partner” – we also have a demo paddle

Joe Beitz contacted Selkirk and has a demo paddle that can be signed out, by anyone that is a member of the SJPA, for a short period of time. Contact Joe Beitz: joedsp1125@gmail.com  to sign out the Selkirk demo paddle.

Continue to read the article: Troon Names Selkirk Sport First “Preferred Pickleball Partner” As Popularity Of Both Recreation And Professional Pickleball Surges Nationwide

Scottsdale, Ariz. (January 26, 2021) – As the popularity of Pickleball continues to surge, Troon, the world’s largest club management company, and Selkirk Sport, a leading Pickleball equipment brand, have announced a multi-year partnership. Through the partnership, Selkirk Sport becomes the first “Preferred Pickleball Partner” of Troon and an official partner of the company’s Cliff Drysdale Tennis division.

As the preferred Pickleball Partner for Troon, Selkirk’s line-up of “Made in the USA” paddles will be available at retail shops on-site at all Troon and Cliff Drysdale Tennis-managed facilities nationwide that offer Pickleball. Selkirk Sport, a family-owned company based in Hayden, ID, is at the forefront of driving growth of the sport at both the recreation and professional levels, while offering a full line-up of “Made in the USA” Pickleball paddles for all levels and an assortment of accessories. The partnership also serves to elevate Pickleball programming, as a complement to tennis at the 31 Cliff Drysdale Tennis facilities across the portfolio.

This news comes as country clubs and golf resorts rapidly add Pickleball to their line-up of activities, due to the sport’s rising popularity among players of all ages. Equally important, as an outdoor activity that adheres to CDC and local/national health guidelines, Pickleball serves as the perfect “social distancing” sport. Today, backed by a growing professional tour and nearly 8,000 facilities to play in North America, Pickleball – a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong – is one of the fastest growing sports in the USA boasting more than 3.46 million players, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

“Aligning with Selkirk Sport, the premier Pickleball paddle brand, is a natural next step to support growth in the sport, as the demand for more Pickleball courts and increased programming is evident across our collection of managed facilities,” said Tim Schantz, president and CEO, Troon. “Pickleball serves as a terrific complement to golf and racquet sports programming, and we are excited to enhance our commitment to the game, while delivering memorable experiences to our members and guests.”

The synergies between golf and Pickleball are profound, as many PGA TOUR and LPGA TOUR stars, as well as premier golf instructors compete on the Pickleball court regularly. In fact, Team Troon member and 17-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar, and Team Selkirk Ambassador Sherri Steinhauer, a former major Champion and LPGA Star, are both avid pickleball players.

“We are committed to investing in the continued growth of Pickleball, and a partnership with Troon and Cliff Drysdale Tennis is an opportunity to further elevate the sport at both a recreation and professional level,” said Rob Barnes, VP of Product and Relationships, Selkirk Sport. “We are excited to promote the benefits of the game to Troon’s global customers and partners, while supporting and enhancing Pickleball programming at Troon-managed facilities.”

The recent introduction of the VANGUARD paddle reinforces Selkirk’s leadership position in the sport, and the Company’s commitment to push the paddle technology limits, while establishing a new industry standard. Engineered with advanced materials, the face and core work together to absorb the vibration from each hit and yield accelerated velocity. These innovative design elements deliver the ultimate shot-making consistency, accelerated ball velocity, an extra-large sweet spot for off center hits, maximum spin and the perfect feel. The integration of Selkirk Sport paddles, highlighted by VANGUARD, at Troon and Cliff Drysdale-managed facilities, will further support growth of the sport.

“We fully embrace our leadership position in the sport of Pickleball and recognize the responsibility we have to help grow and promote the game every day,” said Mike Barnes, VP of Operations, Selkirk Sport. “We are thrilled to work alongside a prestigious company like Troon that sees the big picture and shares our vision.”

Selkirk Sport is one of the industry’s fastest growing companies, and their paddles are used by many of the game’s premier players and coaches/instructors. Team Selkirk Ambassadors include: Tyson McGuffin, 4-Time National Champion and one of the top ranked players in the world; Cammy MacGregor, top ranked senior player and former top 75 women’s professional tennis player;  Morgan Evans, coach to the world’s elite Pickleball players; Enrique Ruiz: hall of famer & 6-time National Champion; Kaitlyn Christian, 28-year old professional tennis player – top 50 in doubles on WTA Tour; Joanne Russell, 1977 Wimbledon Doubles Champion; Lindsey Newman, top 5 women in the world; Riley Newman, #2 ranked doubles player; and Sherri Steinhauer: former LPGA star, 3-time Women’s British Open Champion & 4-Time United States Solheim Cup winner, among many others.

For more information on Troon visit http://www.troon.com.  For more information on Selkirk Sport please visit http://www.selkirk.com or to follow the Company through social media, please visit Selkirk on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @SelkirkSport.

How to Get an Event Added to the Calendar

Process for adding an event to the calendar on the website:

  • Event must be approved by the Board.
  • You must be able to reserve your own courts (without conflicting with another group)!
  • Event must be for a minimum of 12 people.
  • Players MUST have a paid SJPA membership.
  • Players must have a Signature Sport or Golf membership.
  • We must review our calendar for conflicts.
  • Send your request to these three people:
    • Al Hausmann (Communications): a.hausmann@gmail.com
      • Include the necessary information:
        • Name or type of event
        • Date and time (Is it a onetime event or recurring? Recurring runs for 3 months only.)
        • Number of participants (minimum 12)
        • Description (including: mens, womens, mixed, level of play)
        • Owner / organizer / contact 

Welcome Our New SJPA President Andrea Velez

Happy New Year! I am so excited to be your new President. I look forward to the year to come and continuing all the hard work that Scott has put into this organization. We have 8 new courts that are up and running with lights and bathrooms to come. We held our first of many social events on January 1st to kick off the New Year and it was a great success. Thanks to our Tournaments and Events Chair: Joe Beitz and thanks to John Pugh. Please check our website frequently as we will be planning many new ladders and round robins for SJPA members: stjamespickleball.com . If you are not a member, please sign up and join the association.

Our new pickleball pro, Kim Mihan is available for lessons, clinics and ratings. Please contact the tennis shop and check the daily tennis report each day for pickleball clinics and rating clinics.

While we are excited to have 10 courts up and running, please remember to follow the new CDC recommendations regarding COVID that are posted on this site. We want to ensure that we will be able to continue to play while remaining healthy and COVID free!

Please feel free to contact me, or any members of the SJPA board with any questions, suggestions, or concerns. This is going to be a great pickleball year!

Andrea Velez: avelez000@gmail.com

SJPA Men’s 3.5+ rated ladder event.

Scott Hettinger is setting up a ladder event starting January 20, 2021 at 2:30-4pm at Rymer Courts for 3.5+ men. 

Max participants capped at 16.  

The ladder will run for 8 weeks. 

This event needs a solid commitment.  Points are assessed after each week and you move up and down the ladder based on your points.  You will be responsible for your own sub if you can’t make the weekly match. A sub list will be available.  

You must be a member of the SJPA to participate in this ladder event. 

Cost will be $10 for balls and prizes. 

Contact Scott at shetting22@gmail.com to sign up.

If you are not rated, please contact Kim Mihan our new pickleball pro and she will get you rated. You can reach Kim at (910) 477-8500  ext 2010 or email her at  Kimberly.mihan@troon.com  

New Rating Rubric by Kim Mihan

It’s not intended to be the end all & final word but a guide to help the reader/player better understand the variances within each level of play. It may be used as an aid for you to target areas in which you want to improve. You can always find the rating rubric located under the PICKLEBALL PLAY category (in the menu at the top of the page). The content item in the list is called: SJPA RATING CRITERIA .

Link to that content page: SJPA RATING CRITERIA

Social Event on NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS

We are pleased to announce that 6 new courts will open for play and with reservations on Saturday, December 26 and the last two new courts will open on Monday, December 28.  It has taken longer than any of us would have liked, but it will be so great to add these 8 courts to our racquet sports program.

This Social Event on January 1, 2021 to kick off the new courts has two sessions: 11:30-1:30 or 2:00-4:00

There will be two sessions of open social pickleball play (for any signature sport members) with a random partnering of players to promote social play and for players to meet players of other levels of play.
•       The play is for all level of players.
•       We will use a round robin format
•       12 minute games with a 3 minute break between games for a total of 8 games being played for each session.
•       There will be 32 players per session.

The sign up will be thru the St James Pickleball Association website only:
•       When you sign up, you will be able to select the either Session 1: 11:30-1:30 or
•       Session 2: 2.00-4.00 event
•       The event will be held free of charge and available to all signature sport members.

The sign up deadline is December 28th.

With the parking at the new Greg Rymer Memorial Courts, it is suggested that you carpool if possible.

Questions regarding this event, please contact Joe Beitz: joedsp1125@gmail.com (CELL: 240- 484-9232)

With the New Rules for 2021, Can I Hit the Ball Up, Then Let It Bounce So I Can Get a Real High Bounce?

So you really want to wack it, eh? NO, the ball cannot be hit in an upward motion and then let it bounce. Nice try Bob!

The new rules state: 26.Rule 4.A.8.b New: Before bouncing on the ground, the ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle. Failure to drop the ball properly will result in a fault. There is no restriction on where the ball can land on the playing surface after it is dropped (providing 4.A.2 is satisfied) nor how many times within the 10 seconds after the score is called the server may drop the ball.

Additionally: 25.Rule 4.A.8.a New: Servers must release the ball from one of the server’s hands or dropped off the server’s paddle face from any natural (un-aided) height and hit the ball after the ball bounces on the playing surface. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to the referee and the receiver. In matches without a referee, the server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver. A replay shall be called before the return of serve if the release of the ball is not visible. The rules for feet placement (4.A.2 and 4.L) still apply. Reason: Same as 4.A.8. Note: The only downward acceleration imparted on the ball is that from gravity. Scenario A: In a match with a referee, the server turns their back slightly before performing a “drop serve”. The referee sees the server release the ball, but the receiver cannot see the release. The server serves, but before the return of serve, the receiver claims they could not see the release of the ball. The referee calls for a replay and informs the server that they need to make the release of the ball visible to both the referee and receiver. Scenario B: A server has been using the drop serve since the start of the game. The referee calls the score and the player drops the ball to perform a drop serve. After the ball bounces, the server grabs the ball and then serves the ball in the “normal” fashion and does so within the 10-second count. After the rally has ended, the receiver claims that the server committed a fault by “switching serving styles” after the score had been called. The referee explains that there is no rule restricting the server from “switching serving styles” after the score has been called. The referee explains that as long as the ball is served within the 10-second count, either style, including attempting both styles, is allowed. Scenario C: The server releases the ball and the ball bounces twice on the ground and then the server serves. Since there is no written fault for letting the ball bounce twice (or more) before serving, the referee should NOT call a fault.

27.Rule 4.A.10.c New: If the drop serve is used, the ball may be struck with either a forehand or backhand motion without any other restriction; i.e., the location restrictions of the ball and paddle in Rules 4.A.3, 4.A.4, and 4.A.5 do not apply. Reason: Same as 4.A.8

22.Rule 4.A.5 Existing: Contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level (Waist is defined as the navel level). (See Figures 4-1 and 4-3 above) New: Contact with the ball must not be made above the waist. (See Figures 4-1 and 4- 3 above) Reason: Better clarity for referees on how to determine the applicable fault. It removes the ambiguity over waist vs navel.

Are They Really Making Changes to the Official 2021 Pickleball Rule Book?

YES, the official 2021 Rulebook will become effective on January 25, 2021. One of the biggest changes is the Service Let. All in all there will be 125 changes to the official rules.

Service Lets have been removed. It is noted that out of habit, both referees and players may sometimes habitually call a service let. If any player stops play because of a service let being called, that player/team will have committed a fault per rule 7.I.

What is a Service Let? A serve is called a let when the ball hits the net cord but still lands in the service court (your opponent’s receiving rectangle). Such a serve is not considered a fault and the server may repeat the service attempt. A ball that hits the net cord but lands outside the service box is still a fault.

So with a Service Let being removed from the official rules for 2021, that means when the serve hits the net and lands in the receiver’s court, the ball will be in-play, and the server will not re-do a serve.

What Should Be the Height of the Net?

We always hear people complain when their excellent return hits the net and does not make it over, “the net is too high.” Or adversely, you hit the ball, it hits the top of the net and always drops on the other side. Your opponent complains, “the net must be too low.” So what is the correct height?

Pickleball nets should have a height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the middle. The top of the net should be covered with a 2 inch wide binding over the net cord. The net posts should be at least one foot outside of the sidelines.

If You Did Not Get a Spot in the Engage Pickleball Camp

The Engage Pickleball Camp scheduled for March 19, 20, 21, 2021 is sold out.  If you did not get a spot for this camp, but are still interested, please email your name, email address, and what session you are interested in (3.0 – 3.5) or (3.6 – 4.0) to Scott Hettinger: scott.hettinger.c1zx@statefarm.com

We will speak to all parties involved and see if we can add more spots.