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Sequim Picklers' Update - March 11, 2023
- Apr 4, 2023
- 6 min read
President's Report
by Arvo Johnson, President
Sequim Picklers Board of Directors
Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend! For Sequim Picklers and pickleball players everywhere, this is great news. More daylight hours = more time on the courts. And, the courts at Carrie Blake Park are already hopping with activity.
We all know that a club is only as good as its members, and Sequim Picklers now has more than 400 terrific members! As you'll read in this week's Update, Board elections are coming up. We need volunteers to fill five Board seats. (See box below)
While anyone is welcome to throw their hat into the ring, we are especially looking for folks who:
— Have served in a similar role on a committee, at work, in a club, for the PTA, or in a church group. — Bring experience with finance or have a legal perspective. — Are “connectors” who can bring community and business leaders into the organization. — Love designing on the internet, creating newsletters, and/or writing online blogs for friends and family.
Whatever your creative or professional abilities, we need you on the Board.
If you have experience or interest in any of these roles — or know a member you think would be a good fit — please email the Board and let us know at Sequim Picklers' Board of Directors. Thank you.
On the Courts
From ‘Goose,’ Director of Court Operations
Hello fellow Sequim Picklers,
Well, yours truly pulled the plug a little too soon on the Boys & Girls Club but it was hard to tell what the weather was going to do. It wasn’t getting any better last Saturday, the first day of 2023 Rated Play. Pickleball Court Operations Committee member Gayle Powers and myself were at the courts before 8:30 a.m. The wind was blowing like crazy and it started to rain, so we made the call to cancel. I hope I got the word out on the Facebook Members-only Forum before a lot of you headed out.
It was a different story for last Sunday's first Beginner’s Class of the season. Although the weather was far from perfect, 25 new players showed up to see if pickleball was for them. The ones I talked to after the class said they had a great time and would be back. Remember, we are limiting the class to four weeks, then you have to move on. I can’t thank enough all the volunteers who showed up to make it happen.
Select this LINK for a full description of all Sequim Picklers’ organized play. (Volunteers are always needed to help out at organized court events. If you'd like to volunteer, use this LINK to let us know.)
Gayle’s Stepping-Up Advanced Beginners workshop was a roaring success. The participants I spoke to after it was over said they had learned so much and told me what a fantastic idea it was. Great job, Gayle and your team.
Things Coming Up
— Spring League Play starts Tuesday, April 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. So sign up now.
— The Minor League Tournament for Sequim Picklers' members rated 2 to 2.5 is on Friday, May 19. If you don’t have a partner, I am sure there will be people looking for one. Sign up now.
One More Thing...
A fellow Sequim Pickler asked me the other day if I could do something about people hogging the courts when there are people waiting to play. The courts are owned by the City of Sequim and are open to everyone. There are rules posted on the gate on how court etiquette should be handled. To me, it’s just common courtesy that if all courts are full and people are waiting, we all take turns, whether we’re Sequim Picklers or not.
[NOTE: Our own Pickleball Rules Referee Kathryn Thomas talks about court etiquette in her column below, which includes a link to USA-P's Pickleball Sportsmanship Guide. It’s a hot topic!]
Hope to see you all out there playing. As always, I am open to any suggestions that can make playing more enjoyable. Thanks. —Goose
Presenting... Sequim Picklers T-Shirts!
New Sequim Picklers T-shirts in a variety of colors and styles will soon go on sale at Sequim Picklers' tournaments and organized Club activities like Rated Play.
These are Sport-Tek Competitor Performance Shirts in moisture-wicking polyester, double-needle stitched for durability.
Available in neon orange and yellow (pictured), and neon pink, as well as dark blue, light blue, brown, and black. Long-sleeve and short-sleeve, crew and V-neck styles. Sizes from Small to Extra-Large. Our three-color logo is on the top left of each shirt.
Cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members, quantities are limited. All profits go toward our Club's tournament costs.
We're taking advance orders now for T-shirts to be delivered sometime in April. Order yours today at this LINK. Be sure and give us your size and preferred color and style. Cash or check only, payable to Sequim Picklers. Check can be mailed or dropped in black mailbox at the shed.
Pickleball RULES!
As we approach Spring and Summer, it's a good time to revisit some of the Pickleball Rules of Etiquette. Many clubs went into shutdown mode during the pandemic, and do not seem to be coming out of it. Instead, their courts have become closed off, unwelcoming, uninviting.
There have been no such complaints that I am aware of with Sequim Picklers. But an etiquette reminder never hurts as we all gear up for visits from more players from around the country ... and the world.
So as you’re heading out for open play, please remember and practice the following:
1. If your paddle is next in line for play on a certain court, be ready to play when that court has finished.
2. Many clubs provide balls, but always have a couple with you just in case they don't. And offer to use them.
3. Be willing to play with anyone. Invite a player who is just standing around to play, or at least explain how they can get into a game.
4. If you are playing with a group that is below your usual level, practice shots that will improve your play: dinks, keeping the balls low, aiming at the feet, trying different serves, etc.
5. If you are playing with a group that is above your usual play level, just do your best. If you feel like it, ask for advice on your play. Thank them at the end for playing with you. Then move on to another court or group.
6. Courtesy goes both ways: be inviting, gracious, polite, and helpful without being overbearing.
Remember, the essence of pickleball is its fun, availability to all ages and levels, and opportunity for social engagement. Let's not lose sight of that. Happy pickling!
— Have a question about something that happened on the court? Send it to me at Kathryn (“K.T.”) Thomas, Registered Trainer of Referees.
Volunteers needed for 2023 Sequim Fling Tournament,
June 23, 24, & 25
Plans for our 2023 Sequim Fling Tournament, June 23, 24, 25, are moving into high gear. Lots of member volunteers are needed for all three days of the Tournament. (See box below for list of volunteer jobs.)
If you can volunteer, please contact Katinka Nanna at katinka@nikola.com. And, if you know which days you’ll be available — Friday, June 23; and/or Saturday, June 24; and/or Sunday, June 25 — let Katinka know when you sign up.
Thank you for helping make our 2023 Sequim Fling Tournament an outstanding event!
Unidentified Rolling Object
Thanks to a local craftsman who cleverly repurposed the old rebounder frame into a ball carrier.
Nice to see it back on the courts!
Members-only Links
IF YOU'RE THE LAST PICKLER TO LEAVE THE COURTS, please put away all balls and toss abandoned items (water bottles, sweatshirts, paddles, sunglasses) into the Lost & Found box in the shed. Lock the shed and give yourself a gold star for a job well done.
NO DOGS ON THE PICKLEBALL COURTS by order of the City of Sequim. Dogs are also prohibited from hanging out in the center alley between the courts. (Apologies to our canine friends...)
WEAR YOUR BADGE. Let the world know who you are — a proud Pickler. Carry your badge in your pickleball bag to snap on when you hit the courts.
WHITELISTING. Add "sequimpicklers@gmail.com"to your Contacts list and avoid having to search your Spam, Junk, and Trash mailboxes for the latest Sequim Picklers Update and other Club communications.