Charles Huggins

Staff Writer n charlesh@nwanews.com

A dog named Pickles was the inspiration for a sport that is a combination of Ping-Pong, tennis and badminton.

Pickleball was created in 1965 and is played by two or four people using paddles and a Wiffle ball. The sport is catching on here in Bella Vista, and those interested can join a Pickleball demonstration Jan. 6, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the ballroom at Riordan Hall.

"It's really starting to catch on," said Jim Gutowski, one of the local Pickleball organizers.

Gutowski, along with Leroy and Ann Millard, will put on the demonstration for those who want to watch or participate. All that is needed to play are tennis shoes. The rest of the equipment will be provided.

The court dimensions are the same as a doubles badminton court, with dimensions of 20 feet by 44 feet for both doubles and singles play. The net is hung 36 inches from the ground on each end of the court and no more than 34 inches from the ground in the middle. On each side of the court remains 20 feet by 15 feet rectangles, which are divided in halves.

The rules of Pickleball are similar to tennis, minus a few exceptions. The serve must be hit underhand and the receiving team must hit their first shot off the bounce. Once the ball has bounced on both sides, then teams can either volley the ball (hit the ball without letting it hit the ground) or play it off the bounce. There is a non-volley zone that stretches 7 feet on each side of the net.

Each team member serves, and a team can only score points on a serve. Points are deducted when a ball is hit out of bounds or hits the net, or for volleying a ball in the non-volley zone or volleying a ball before it has hit once on each side of the net.

The first team to 11 points wins, but the team has to win by two points.

The Bella Vista Pickleball group meets Fridays at the Metfield tennis courts. Organizers usually expect a turnout of 35 to 40 people, Leroy Millard said. Millard also said the Bella Vista Property Owners Association is putting in three new Pickleball courts at Metfield.

For more information on the Pickleball demonstration or how to become involved, contact Leroy Millard at 855-1226 or Jim Gutowski at 876-5877. To learn more about the game, visit the Web at www.pickleball.com