Not Just Another Racquet Sport

Photo by Katie Sikora

Walking into the gym at the Northern Door YMCA and seeing some racquets hitting a ball over a net, I was zapped back to my experience on the high school tennis team. Yet, I was soon to find that no number of tennis matches or state qualifications could prepare me for this melting pot of racquet sports.

Pickleball is played on a court the size of a badminton court with a short net separating two people on each side. With a racquet moderately smaller than a tennis racquet and something resembling a whiffle ball, the object is to win points just as in tennis. Between various regulations on the bouncing of the ball, serving technique and the restricted area known as the kitchen, the game provides enough quirks and strategies to keep the players on their toes.

The Door County following is strong and active, with many members travelling throughout Wisconsin on top of their daily games at the local YMCA. With tournaments in Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay and Manitowoc among other places, the sport provides a competitive and friendly atmosphere open to all levels and ages.

Bill Reifsnyder, avid pickleball player with a mean spin serve, is excited as inexperienced but enthusiastic kids from Gibraltar High School come to participate in what becomes games crossing multiple generations.

The Northern Door Pickleball scene is wholly self-supported by those who enjoy the sport. They have donated all of the equipment for the community to use, with their sights now set on two outdoor courts in the upcoming future.

“It’s a whole different game outdoors with the wind and everything” says Reifsnyder.

Despite my racquet sport experience, my ego was busted by pickleball as I walked away two games later sweaty and winless. The encouragement and support from my partner and opponents does much for the enjoyment of the sport. Yet you can be sure that I’ll return someday soon looking for a win. Perhaps Reifsnyder was right when he said that it is addictive.

Pickleball is played at the Northern Door YMCA on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12 – 2 pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 1 – 3 pm. The Sturgeon Bay YMCA hosts pickleball on Monday from 1:15 – 3 pm and 6:20 – 7:45 pm, as well as Tuesday and Thursday from 10:45 am – 12:15 pm. For more information visit http://www.doorcountyymca.org.