“Let’s go to The HOP!”

Newnan’s House of Pickleball promises good fun and exercise

Written by JEFFREY WARD

The House of Pickleball invites exercise and competition for all ages at 4 Joseph-Hannah Boulevard in Newnan. Photo courtesy of Newnan Pickleball Association.

Do you like tennis? Ping-pong? Badminton?

The fastest growing recreational sport today has a funny name and combines elements of all three of these games.

It’s called pickleball, and for several years has been played by senior citizens in retirement communities.

In recent years, the relatively new sport has been commandeered by enthusiasts of all ages and is growing in popularity at a dizzying pace. Locally, a place to play has been added as the newest jewel in Coweta County’s array of recreational facilities.

The House of Pickleball, affectionately known as “The HOP,” is a world-class facility directly across the street from Newnan’s public safety center. Headley Construction, the local firm which built the public safety facility on Joseph-Hannah Boulevard, also developed the pickleball venue, which opened in September 2021.

The original vision and dream for such a venue can be placed at the feet of two fanatic pickleball enthusiasts and friends, Billy Perkins and Tom Murty. Buoyed by their success in converting local tennis courts into pickleball courts, the pair approached Newnan City Manager Cleatus Phillips and Assistant City Manager Hasco Craver IV with requests for a full scale facility. After carefully managed city funds were procured for the venue, the project began in earnest.

Owned by the City of Newnan, The HOP is carefully maintained by city employees. How to manage the various activities at the site fell to Perkins and Murty, who serve as president and vice president, respectively, of the Newnan Pickleball Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit they created. The tax-exempt status allows the association to purchase pickleball equipment such as paddles, balls and concessions for special events, and the association is responsible for directing, managing and promoting all events at the venue.

ORIGINS OF PICKLEBALL

Where and when did the game with the strange name originate?

Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three friends: Oregon Congressman Joel Pritchard, neighbor Barney McCallum, and businessman Bill Bell. The first venue was a seldom-used badminton court on Pritchard’s property on Bainbridge Island just west of Seattle.

The trio’s original intent was to have a recreational activity that the whole family could participate in. Original court dimensions were exactly the same as a badminton court. A short 33” net and primitive wooden paddles were developed. From there, the sport evolved rapidly into the game as it is played today.

The origin of the name “pickleball” seems to have been lost in lore, legend and speculation.

AN EQUALIZER

Pickleball is the great equalizer. It requires no strength, size, speed or athleticism to enjoy playing at a recreational level. Skill level is the only advantage one player may have over another.

Murty expresses it this way: “Pickleball is very unique in that it is a competitive sport with a very social culture. Open play is a common format that allows players to mix and match with players of all skill levels.”

Some use the term “baby tennis” to describe pickleball since the court on which it’s played is smaller than a tennis court and its net is lower. After the ball is served, it only has to bounce once on either side of the court. From there, the ball can be volleyed in the air, much like badminton, or picked up on the bounce.

The pickleball paddle looks like a larger ping-pong paddle and weighs a feathery six to nine ounces. The unique characteristics of the perforated plastic ball is where the fun begins. The ball can be manipulated to produce confounding spins, making it dip and curve, thus difficult to hit squarely.

Another feature of the game is the seven-foot no-volley zone, or “the kitchen,” which prevents players from simply standing next to the net and pounding shots down on their opponents.

Perkins expresses his enthusiasm for the game and venue.

“It is such a social game,” he says. “It’s easy to learn but hard to master, and it’s fun to pick up and learn to play with your family.”

The House of Pickleball boasts 15 courts along with showers facilities, concession stands and bathrooms, all in a thoughtfully laid out park-like setting, according to Perkins.

THE HOP IS FREE TO ALL

“Whether a novice or experienced player, one need only to show up at the HOP with a paddle to be invited into a friendly game,” says Perkins.

The Newnan Pickleball Association has a load of exciting events and activities lined up for 2022. For details, visit newnanpickleball.com. Game on! NCM