What will pickleball look like?
 

Are we going to wear gloves, face masks, more body covering materials, bring our own drinks and be required to sign up to play? And, then there are the considerations of the winter busy times and the heat during the summer. While some changes are easy and will take place, other changes will be very difficult for most players to implement. And then there is the challenge for those playing when a person shows up with un-accepted gear.

I suppose at some time rubber/Nitrate/latex gloves will become available to wear while playing the game. If disposable, I would hope they can last through one days’ worth of play. Some have already been wearing gloves but it’s unlikely they are the kind that offers much protection from a medical protection standpoint. I have not been wearing gloves for the past several years.

As they say a lot of the transmission is airborne, masks might be a requirement. However, many and I included have a hard enough time breathing without using a mask which would not help this issue. And, in some conditions the masks can lead to fogging up of glasses/eye protection which makes play that much more difficult.

Unfortunately, the common on court water dispenser may be history. Some already bring their own containers which are hit and spilled. I hope players will do a better job in the selections of containers and the label on it so other don’t drink out of the wrong one. And some area or storage for the drink containers should be considered. Are we still going to need benches to sit on that take up a lot of space if we need six feet of separation?

Are we going to wear more body clothing that covers more to lessen the risk of another’s body sweat droplets from contacting our unprotected skin? In the wintertime this extra covering might be feasible to stay warmer and in the summer for sun ray protection. Yet, the weight and breathing abilities of current designs don’t seem to be used by many in my observations of past players using them. The lighter and less restricted I am the better I seem to play.

How would they handle signups to play on a court and who would do this as long lines will probably be frowned upon. I have taken advantage of the Play & Drill at Rohan for the past couple of years where one does need to sign up for the next week’s session. However, that’s one day of the week for two hours at one location. And, it’s being done by a volunteer, Steve. During the summer, the courts are less full. For the winter months, scheduling would be a night mare. Who’s going to pay for and do this scheduling? On the other hand, it would be nice to have an app where one could locate a slot to fill to be able to play for a couple of hours.

I am sure things will work out in the end. Some changes will be welcome and be helpful while others will not be looked upon as being fun things to do. What are your thoughts as mine way be well off-base or in the kitchen.

Please note that I stopped playing pickleball three weeks before the Villages stopped it and am anxious to resume playing this wonderful game. It helps keep me in shape and I enjoy the comradery.

Regardless what it will look like....once a set of rules is put forth then the key is enforcement.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

no excuses for I don't have or I forgot, or what ever....be ready and correct or NO PLAY.

This is the real challenge and key to success.

If we have to maintain 6 feet of separation from our partner, won't that change the game pretty drastically? Is it even possible to do? I guess that's the end of poaching!

Same with water volleyball. Separation ain't gonna happen.

Bring your own water (non provided), towel(s), and for awhile a chair to sit on for distancing. Limit total waiting players to no more than 2 for each court / Example: If you have 6 courts the 6x2=12 waiting with social distancing. Summer coming so big lines are gone for awhile. Bring your own sanitizer and wear gloves/mask if you prefer. No more fist, elbow, and paddle taps for awhile. If the courts re-open they may not provide balls for potential liability, so get ready to bring/buy some. Until there is a vaccine precautions need be in place and everyone determines their own risk tolerance. Most play, even morning open play, are with people that know each other so whatever rules are in place group enforce intelligently.

Play singles, more and better exercise anyway

I assume there will be those that will adapt to new rules.....my question is what do you do when those that think all this is a hoax or have no regard for others (you know, the ones that can't read arrows or observe social distancing) or worse, bump up against you during the game. Will you ask them to leave or will you walk away and allow them to dictate your play?

My opinion is that we will go back to what was working before they closed the courts: no common water, limited people on the courts, wash the ball. Personally I will play with anyone during open play. 3 or 4 months from now....business as usual.

Pickleball will look like it always has, a game for people who can't play tennis.

Just kidding, I am happy for people to get some exercise, especially if it keeps them off the golf course.

Or game full of tennis players who can’t play tennis anymore:1rotfl: It was a joke:icon_wink:

I was stand off-ish before! What do you think I will be like when we go back? Worse!!! Most will get it. But, there alway couple who have no clue. I will probably keep my distance if that mean take break or move.

So if someone bumps against you in the normal course of playing the game, a common occurrence, the only two choices are asking them to leave or "allowing them to dictate your play?" I don't understand. As someone who's looking forward to resuming play, I am curious about how these things will play out.

What WILL happen when someone inevitably bumps into someone else, besides these two options? Or do we set the game up to make that impossible? Same thing with water volleyball and all other events where close contact is the norm.

This Rumor sounds like FAKE NEWS

Testing
 

As was promised a while ago, everyone that wants a test can get a test. That being the case, I see us testing all players every week and those that are negative get to play. Anybody have a problem with that? :popcorn:

Not to change the direction of this thread, but I have a pickleball question. I have bad knees and don't want to do anything to aggravate the arthritis in them. But on the other hand, I would love to take up pickleball. In my younger days I wasn't a bad tennis player, and today, I am still a very good ping pong player. So hand eye coordination is not an issue, but bad knees most definitely are. I would love to try pickleball, but I don't want to have to go home and ice my knees and not be able to golf the next day. So, if I want to play very low impact pickleball what are my options? I don't want to be competitive, because that is in my nature and I will most definitely aggravate the knees. Is there a pickleball league that tries to see how many times the ball can be played without a fault, rather than trying to beat ones opponent. The competitiveness would be in setting a record for the most consecutive vollies, not beating ones opponent. Inquiring minds want to know??

Good comments. Without question, many things are going to be different for the next two or three years. (Don’t expect it all to end in May.) Those of us without immunity and who would like to live a while longer will need to pay attention to what we do. Alas. Situations change. We adapt as best we can.

A FIRST WORLD problem
 

Many of our fellow man who struggle with this pandemic have no money to buy nitrile gloves.
They have no source of fresh water that flows freely from a spigot.
They have no air conditioned home to return to, with a refrigerator loaded with their favorite foods.
No sanitary bathroom stocked with 12 extra rolls of toilet paper.
We are blessed with who we are, where we are, and what we have.
Pickleball protocol will all be re-established by the Recreation Department.
Do not trouble your heart over that.

COVID-19 cannot be contract by touching sweat, Unless it is from gunk around your nose or mouth.

True. 1. Covid-19 is NOT transmitted via sweat droplets. 2. It IS transmitted via aerosolized droplets and secretions from the nose, mouth and lungs spread through sneezing, coughing and touching the same areas including the eyes. 3. Gloves offer little protection. Again touching the nose, mouth and eyes transmits the virus to the gloves. The virus can survive on most materials from which gloves are made for hours or even days rendering them no better or even worse than bare hands.

Anybody think this is beginning to sound like Eastern Europe in the 50's? I know, it's for our own good. Anyone who disagrees doesn't care about anyone else's health. You have a responsibility to care for others. The preceding 3 sentences are straight out of the Soviet handbook. I already see people anxious to snitch on their neighbors. All for the common good. Keep telling yourself that.

All I can recommend is finding an empty court in the afternoon (make sure no one is waiting), and get a rally buddy. You can work on skinny singles shots where you only hit into one side of the court.

You are clearly anticipating problems. First you might want to reboot on the airborne transmission .... that's not how it spreads. You have to be in a closed environment for 25+ minutes with someone sneezing or coughing for the percentages to indicate worry is reasonable.

Virus to Hands to Face ... that's the transmission. Put soapy water buckets on the pickle ball courts and wash hands between games for a start. Wash the balls between games. Then have fun in the outdoors.

How about this: If you are so scared of catching something/anything, then why not stay home? I have not seen restrictions when there is a flu outbreak and I see no reason to worry once this stay at home is lifted. Eventually, there will be medications to cure the virus and then further down the line there will be a vaccine for it. Like I said, if you are in fear then take the suggestion of staying home and playing it safe. No one is forcing anyone to play a game.

Are you a senior? Is pickleball worth a 20% risk of dying if you become infected and have to be placed on a ventilator?

And if you have a condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, a breathing disorder? Your chances of survival drops to 8%.

let's not get all wrapped around our undies by over thinking this folks … life is gonna move on

it'll be different...but we'll eventually all adapt

Almost by definition you maintain 6 ft from your partner and the opposite team. I agree with gloves may start to be common on the left hand (for right handed player) which holds the ball to serve. I started using a rubber garden glove that I could wash after the game and took clorex wipes to wipe off equipment. I think the CDC rules say groups of 10 unless you can maintain social distancing. Since the courts are more than 6 ft apart I don't think that is an issue. It's the people on the side waiting to play that will have stay apart. May have to think about having a line on each side of the courts to keep people apart. Just hope they get the courts open soon.

lots of people with knee issues wear braces of different support levels. Some just a squeezing sleeve, some a brace with metal hinges on the sides to prevent lunging right and left. so it's very possible to play this very fun game even with crappy knees.

Pickleball?

I’ve heard from a third cousin to Elvis that the PB courts are going to be converted into hitting nets for golfers. 😉😉

http://us.newchic.com

How bout a hat with a face shield, since the virus is only ransferred through nose and mouth. Don’t touch your face!

Moving on in Pickelball
 

Your way over thinking the return of the game. Water on court probably gone. Social distancing will be done to play.

So we haven’t played PB with anyone since the 3rd week in March. Gloves don’t matter. The key is DON’T touch your face. Wear a wrist band to wipe sweat instead of your hand. Unfortunately if you don’t partner with someone in your home, like my wife and I do, it will increase chances of transmission. Bumping fists will be a thing of the past. Bring your own water. Problems can be how many people standing in line. Lines go to the gate now without social distancing. Will they go out the gate into the parking lot? I think if you do not want to play with large groups court reservations with smaller social groups might be the way to go. It will be a challenge.

I don’t believe that the recreation department should provide gloves...... they don’t provide a golf glove or balls or clubs for me to play golf .......

You can wear a golf glove on each hand to play pickle ball...... as with latex gloves , don’t touch your face or pick your nose while on the court !!

Disinfect the gloves once home and thoroughly wash your hands ......

Pickleball is what finally got me two new knees! Actually best thing that happened...went to Dr Nguyen in Orlando and had both knees done 3 months apart and was back playing full out in 6 months. Not sure how bad your knees are but Pickleball is tough on your knees!

I've heard that careful people wear deep-diving suits. The heavy screw-on head covering REALLY protects against your germs getting out or their germs getting in. No need to thrown any part of it away after a year's use.:)

As long as you careful and don’t try to change direction off balance you should be able to play doubles. Pickleball is 1/3 size of tennis courts, two bounce rule, and under hand serve, and of course the ball travels at least half the speed of tennis ball. Just don’t get too competitive and try to reach shots you knowing you’re knees can’t cash the check.

I heard different rumor from inside source at lunch the other day that all championships course are going to be turned into apartment houses with horseshoe and corn hole courts :pray: :MOJE_whot::shocked:

Depends on weight, how off balance you get, and competitiveness. In most cases the knee is injuries beyond sport activities. So yes, it not going to last.

I didn't mean to imply that gloves should be provided! It's my understanding although I haven't been out to look that appropriate gloves may not at this time be in stock to be purchase by me and other players. When the time comes to play, I will look for the items I may need to use to play this game such as a better water container that I have never needed.