Pickleball comes to Copperas Cove

By DAVID J. HARDIN

Cove Leader-Press

The gymnasium at CCISD's Avenue E campus was abuzz with activity for a new recreational sport on Tuesday night—pickleball.

Copperas Cove's Parks & Recreation Department held the first pickleball night in the hopes of offering another activity to the community.

Approximately 20 turned out for the event, from older teens to retirees.

Superintendent Nic Cantrell of the Copperas Cove Department of Parks and Recreation said the plan for introducing pickleball to the residents of Cove has been in the works for quite some time.

“Parks and Recreation Director Joe Brown helped with introducing the sport to residents of Harker Heights and said that it was time to introduce it to Copperas Cove,” Cantrell said.

He added that Gordon Irwin was also instrumental in bringing the sport here, because he has played it for many years, and loves the game, that is why he has been serving as an ambassador for the sport.

Irwin said he enjoys promoting the game to others, and sees many benefits for young and old who play the game.

Regina Sedberry has been playing pickleball for about a year. She said she loves being able to exercise, have fun, make new friends, and compete.

Two girls, both juniors at Copperas Cove High School said they had never played before, but they both agreed that it was fun and a way to get exercise.

Pickleball will be offered for adults ages 18 and up on Tuesday nights from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Avenue E School gymnasium, located at 306 E. Ave. E.

The game of pickleball has been around since 1965 and started as a children's backyard game. It is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis, and is played by two to four players.

Players use wooden or composite paddles to hit a perforated ball similar to a wihffleball over a net. Points are scored by the serving side only and occur when the opponent fails to return the ball or hits the ball out of bounds. The first side to score 11 points and leads by at least two points wins.

According to the Unites States Pickleball Association (USAPA.org), there are nearly 13,000 indoor and outdoor courts in the United States, with at least one location in all 50 states.