Debbie Witten In early spring, Alison and Bruce Haney decided to get four SaddleBrooke Ranch couples together each Monday evening to play pickleball. First, they play with their spouses as their pickleball partners against another couple. Then, the group plays round robin for five games, playing randomly with all the members of the group. The…
Nancy Eisenstein SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) officially began selling homes in February 2008. Amenities sell communities, so four pickleball courts were constructed where Ed’s Dogs and the bocce ball courts are now. There were thirty pickleball players when play began in late 2010–11. The courts were reserved for member play four days a week, Mondays, Thursdays,…
The pickleball courts were the target of a microburst that hit SaddleBrooke Ranch on Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m. A number of players schedule Sunday night for regular play. The players got in one game and the rain began. Then the wind followed. Most players…
Debbie Witten The new pickleball machine has arrived at the SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association (SBRPBA) for all members to use and enjoy. Mark Pohler, vice president of the SBRPBA was instrumental in its purchase and providing instruction on the operation of the new Simon X pickleball machine. Mark trained about 75 club members so they can…
Debbie Witten The SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball players agree it is hot but that does not stop them from hitting the courts and playing for hours. The debate continues on what is the best way to keep hydrated. Ask four women and you will get four different opinions. Nancy Nix likes to drink Liquid I.V. The…
David Zapatka Is Pickleball a Good Bet? The Pickleball Players Association (PPA) and Genius Sports, a publicly-traded sports data and tech company, recently announced a long-term deal that sets the stage for sports betting in pickleball. Can you imagine walking into one of our local casinos, hearing raucous cheers and seeing a pickleball match on…
Debbie Witten Karen and her husband, Steve Bellinger, have lived in Saddlebrook Ranch for almost two years. They both enjoy pickleball and you can find them on the courts both in the morning and in the evening. After playing pickleball, Karen and Steve can be found eating their homemade pickles. Their pickles are a little…
Nancy Eisenstein 1. Who was Pickles Pritchard? 2. What year was pickleball introduced on television? What was the name of the television show? 3. When did the Heinz Company distribute their first pickle pins? 4. Where were pickle pins given out to introduce players to pickleball in the 1990s? 5. What was the game called…
David Zapatka Reader Liz Houser writes, “I just moved to SaddleBrooke in April and learned to play pickleball in early May thanks to my enthusiastic neighbor Shawne. I just read your article about common mistakes numbers 11 and 12—I found them to be very helpful. Would you be so kind as to send me the…
Debbie Witten The summer temperatures are soaring, but the enthusiasm of the SaddleBrooke Ranch pickleball players has not been deterred. With the higher temperatures, you will see all kinds of colors and styles of hats worn on the SaddleBrooke Ranch pickleball court. There are ball caps, visors, cowboy hats, hats meant to be worn wet,…