Open Play Rules
 

According to the written rules on page 3 of the Recreation News, Open Play is for those of you who would prefer to play on your own. However, according to the recreation department via a couple of lengthy phone calls, if you are playing during OPEN PLAY and someone else wants to play with you, you MUST let them play in the next game regardless of their level of play. I personally believe this contradicts the written description of open play. My point is this: My friends and I organized a water volleyball game to play on our own days in advance. We were the only ones in the pool when a couple walked in and wanted to insert themselves into our group which was already full. We indicated this was open play time and we here to play on our own. They insisted that they had taken a water volleyball class and went on and on about how we were required to let them play. This would mean that some of us would have to sit out. Per our interpretation of the written description of open play we thought they were wrong and continued our play. I personally can’t imagine trying to force myself on someone enjoying themselves in a private game, but they were so intent on interrupting what was obviously friends having a good time that they went crying to the facilities manager who sent her people out and told us we had to let them play. We only had 20 minutes left anyway so we decided to leave which left the courts completely empty and no one got to enjoy the facilities. Based on the recreation department's verbal rules, if two couples are the only people playing pickleball, or you and your wife are playing shuffleboard or whatever sport, and a person walks up and says I would like to play in the next game, one of you is required to sit out and let this person play regardless of their level of play. I am not really concerned about it happening again because I believe very few people would insist on forcing themselves on a few friends having a good time. In all the years my friends and I have been using open play time for various activities this was a first. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

After all of that, you summed it up very well.

I see that this is your first post.

So, let see if I have this right. A rec center person informed you as to the meaning and purpose of the open play periods. But, you would prefer to make your own interpretation and host a private game. I foresee future conflicts.

Open play is an opportunity to meet and interact with your neighbors. This is especially nice for new residents who would like to meet others that have similar interests, like water volleyball.

Was there a posted courtesy rule to allow others the opportunity to play, as per the written rules on page 3?

Open play is specifically spelled out as "for those of you who prefer to play an activity on your own. No courts are reserved, but are available on a first-ome-first-served basis" as stated on page 3 of the recreation news. If you are new and want to meet new people you would go to organized play where they place you on a different team everyday and you play with different people every day.

There was no courtesy rule posted. I specifically asked that they post one if their rules were going to differ from other pools.

Even if there was no courtesy rule posted it would seem to me that it is basic human decency to let a fellow villager play if he asked. The "interlopers" in question have paid their amenity fees just like you did. You did not own that pool during the open play.

I can understand why you're upset, but unfortunately it looks like the rec department has set up the rules that way. I cannot imagine inserting myself in a private group that way, but some people have no qualms, and apparently they are within their rights although I personally find it to be discourteous, rule or no rule. I guess the bottom line is, these are not private pools, they are community pools, and we have to play by community rules.

I'm just gonna throw something out there. It may not apply. Just disregard if that is the case...

If it's like pickleball, "open play" is specifically so anybody...even a single...can go to the courts and get in line to be paired up with whomever is next to them in line and play a game? I know pickleball has "beginner', "intermediate", "advanced" and such so generally like-skilled players can play together. But it is a wonderful system . You can just go any time there is "open play" scheduled and know you'll get a game.

This is different than those times when there is nothing scheduled on the courts, including "open play". In other words, it's called "open play". But it is a scheduled event for all qualified players. When there is nothing scheduled (including "open play") at a set of pickleball courts, and the courts are open, this...again from my understanding...is when a group of friends can go play together and fully expect to have nobody try to horn in on their game.

Is it possible this same sort of system is set up for water volleyball? Open play is for anybody who wishes to come and join a game? Pool time when nothing is scheduled would then be when friends could get together for their own private game?

Excellent explanation of open play, one of the features of The Villages that allows people to meet and get to know other villagers. If you don,t want to play with others sign up for a time as a group during the non open times.

Open play does not mean you can play without letting anybody else in. If the court is full, you get in line and rotate in at game's end. What OP is describing is "reserved" time, and that is when a group is formed, names itself, and applies to the rec dept. for a specific day and time. Otherwise you must share.

There will always be varying skill levels in all of the athletic venues within The Villages that have hours posted for open play.I have been here for 10 years and have played open Pickleball for 9 1/2 years. After the basic skills and rules were absorbed, I searched out courts that would be compatible with my level. As my skills increased over the years I continued to look for courts that would be skill compatible. My point is that I believe it is the responsibility of the person or persons who wants to insert themselves into an open play activity, to do a little research and find a venue that fits their skill level. With that said there will always be some that just show up and ask to play in a an activity beyond their skill level. They should realize this inequity reasonably soon and hopefully will move on to a compatible location elsewhere, which in TV they are numerous. If they don't there is nothing wrong with politltely suggesting there are other locations for their level of play. Beyond this the situation can deteriorate, which I have experienced, where the group just refuses to play with that person. At this point majority rules and the person(s) usually get the hint and move on. Seems in most cases Villages can politely resolve these situations, but with 110,000 + there will always be some that just don't care to.

Open play does not mean that your group can monopolize a court and exclude others that have come to play--especially if they don't have enough people to start their own game. The pickleball players that I know don't monopolized open play courts and rotate in other players even though they have to sit out a game. IMHO it was not right to exclude the two people from rotating in. It was Open play and not a time that you reserved through the Rec Dept. When you reserve a time then you have the right to exclude others who want to join your group and play.

That pretty much sums up how open play works, at least for pickleball.

But in defense of the OP...page 3 of the rec news does say just what the OP claimed, and the wording is possibly a bit open for interpretation: "...No courts are reserved, but are available on a first-come-first-served basis". I can see how this could be interpreted as...we have the court because we were first here. Procedures for open play seem well established and accepted for pickleball. But the definition in the Rec News has some ambiguity in my opinion.

First off, the definition of "open play" is under a paragraph labeled "Categories of Recreation Activities", which is under the main heading "Recreation Pool Guidelines". Yet the definition speaks of "courts". Why if it's under the pool guidelines section?

Sounds like some clarification is in order, at least for pool users.

EDIT: After reading through all the "Categories of Recreational Activities", it's obvious the section applies to all rec activities, not just those associated with a pool. That makes for confusion and possible conflict right off the bat. In addition, the "Open Play" definition is a bit ambiguous and does not exactly (or at least clearly) define open play as implemented in pickleball.

Again...open play in pickleball works well and should be maintained as is. It's just not clear that it conforms to the definition of open play in the Rec News.

(Whew! I ran on and repeated myself more than I intended too...sorry. :) )

Unless play time is designated by the rec dept (and in the rec magazine) as a particular level of play (beginner, adv beg, intermediate, advanced), open play means anyone can play at any time. For instance, the entire day at Churchill Rec Center is non-level-designated open play. Traditionally the better players come early in the morning, but anyone can come to play there regardless of the level or time. The rules are if there is someone waiting to play, you must rotate in and out.

Open Play...Pickleball
 

:welcome:Really great subject..My open play experience with Pickleball has been fantastic and full credit goes to the folks who regularly play @Lake Miona.

I have had so much encouragement, tips on how to improve, from the men and women who obviously play there on a regular basis. I have played at other Pickleball Courts but none can remotely compare with Lake Miona. From the very moment you walk through the gate ..you get that Friendly Warm Welcome, Hi Good Morning..are you ready to play? Wow !

So my advice to All yes All Beginners, Intermediate Players, or just anyone who wants to improve their Picklebal Game...Go To LAKE MIONA any Weekday Morning preferably between 8:00 AM .. 10:00 AM.

Once again...

Thank You To The Pickleball Players of Lake Miona you truly are Very Special:mademyday:

"first come, first served" is pretty clear to me.
I can't imagine trying to butt into a group of friends having fun, but some folks just can't help themselves.

So...it sounds like you like playing pickleball at Lake Miona?!? :clap2:

Would this not mean that a line should form with those arriving earlier playing before those that arrive later? "First come first served" does not mean you take ownership of the pool/court for as long as you desire. It just means that you go first.

Let's say I'm at a pickleball court playing with 3 friends on one of several availble courts at that location and 2 people show up and decide that instead of playing on another available court, two of us must sit down so that they have someone to play with. Sorry, I'm not doing it. We'll either leave or tell them no.

Wow!! If this were to happen in a group I play with we'd gladly let them alternate in with us. As a matter of fact we'd prefer 6 people over 4. This gives us all an occasional break and we all get to know some new players.

That's why we go in the afternoon when everyone else is done. We don't go to meet new people and don't need a break. We play non-stop for an hour and then continue our social outing elsewhere. We always make sure there are other courts available for other players.
I also practice singles in this manner. 2 us were practicing singles for a competition and two people showed up and insisted that we play doubles. We said "no thanks". They got very snitty.

My brother is always inviting others to join use while playing pickleball or table tennis. So far, everyone has been very nice and occasionally lets us win. There seems to be more retired Olympic athletes here than back up in Ohio. We are getting better and enjoy playing in the Villages.:smiley:

Well, this has me thinking. OK. So, it is not an open play period. It seems that the open play guidelines would not apply. Plenty of open courts. Seems to me that you could play singles.

[QUOTE=Redstag;1200313 I personally can’t imagine trying to force myself on someone enjoying themselves in a private game, but they were so intent on interrupting what was obviously friends having a good time that they went crying to the facilities manager who sent her people out and told us we had to let them play.[/QUOTE]
I understand completely.

On the other hand, now that I'm older I realize when the other kids were playing and I asked if I could play and they said "not now Tom take a walk and come back in a half hour" that every time I went for a walk for a half hour that when I did get back and no one was there it was probably a trick. That went on for years.

You could try it on them and hope they didn't read this.

:welcome:Hi, Yes I have not Liked, but Loved playing at Lake Miona. I have since learned that the " Best Players in the Villages " go there to play. Well judging from the way I was welcomed .. me a novice I would never in a million years would have guessed it. The players could not have been nicer to me, very patient, accommodating, kind, and showing what sportsmanship is all about. Here is the plus while waiting for your turn to rotate in to play..the players will actually give you tips on how to improve..Excellent pretty impressive.

Summarizing : The Villages Friendliest Home Town..
well ..

Lake Miona ? ...Pickleball Friendliest Home Town... Especially for those who want to improve..their skills: Remember every weekday morning between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM open play..Beginners up to Intermediate +... are more than Welcome. Have a great time ! :mademyday:

Seems that way to me, too. But there is a certain segment here that thinks all sporting events are about making friends and swapping recipes. There are actually a lot of serious competitors who compete on a national level and do not use sporting venues to plan tonight's dinner.

Am I sensing some sarcasm here?

That's too far for me. I didn't intend to join a critism.

:spoken: Sarcasm the answer is emphatically..No..

I am merely relaying my opinion, observation, and advice. I have played at many Pickleball Courts here in The Villages, and have found that for many reasons that " Lake Miona " stands out for in particular for Beginners..up to Intermediate + .

Granted as I have learned the Best Players regularly play at Lake Miona, however those players are More than willing to share with players who are learning to improve..Lets face it it is " The " fastest growing sport in America, and those players recognize that.

I cannot emphasize it more than this particularly on this fine TOTV forum...Beginners up to Intermediate Plus + Go to Lake Miona each weekday morning open play from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM...You will not be disappointed.

Plus those who are just plain Curious...Go...and Enjoy the Fun.. :coolsmiley:

They were being nice. I doubt they want bunch of beginners showing up at open play 8 to 10 where the best players in the villages group play at. They will not hold back their shots for ever.

Agree. One time last winter, four of us went to play at Hibiscus. The rec center was closed for maintenance, and nobody had put balls out on the courts. My husband and the other guy went over to Miona to get a couple of balls off of their court. Two. balls. When they walked on, that 5.0 group was playing at the far end, and they actually asked them (in a not nice way) why they came onto the court. And not all the courts were taken, so it wasn't like, "We're full up." Only one player was decent to them after they explained why they were there.

I wouldn't go near that bunch. The one time we did play while they were playing, they made so much noise you couldn't hear yourself think. Also, they leave balls all over the court when they're done. Too much entitlement going on there.

I believe that the post calling for beginners to go to Lake Miona during open play time is an attempt at pay back. Kinda sad actually.

Ooooh. The plot thickens. :popcorn:

When we were young and wished to play basketball on a court in nyc, we showed up with our own team. We waited till our rotation arrived and played the winners of last game. either 3 man for half-court or 5 -man for full court game.
My understanding is that in water volleyball, it is 6-man teams. If, two people wish to play in next game, how in the world do they do that with only 2 people? Which 2 people from the 12 players of last game sit out? That seems silly to me. How can 2 people think, and rec dept. back them up, they can disrupt a game that takes 6 people to complete a team?
The 2 people are obviously very selfish individuals.

Uh-uh. The rules are different. you can't apply what you had back home to TV.

The term "amenity fee"comes to mind here. All amenities are available to all 130,000+ village residents. There are no home/private/exclusive golf courses, pickleball courts or rec pools. The exception with pools is if you pay priority. and championship courses where golf fees apply. Even on golf championship/executive courses singles often join a threesome

People who participate in sports here are pretty much on their own as those who go to the town square and complain about seat savers
If they paid their fees they play and the powers to be will not intervene unless there is a serious breach of rules or falsification of villages ID's.......

I think there Are two fold meaning to open play when listed in rec for activities. IMO the open play scheduled each morning like pickle ball is different from open for play like billiards, or even open for play pickleball after 10am. IMO after 10am in pickleball means the courts are not scheduled for event just like billiards tables are not scheduled for events. Meaning anybody can make use of the courts or tables not in use. But, if all courts are full you make have to stop and give up the activity to people waiting to play after certain time posted. As for swimming pool where there is only one court and NOT reserved I don't see how parties can hog the pool for all the open time? Either they quit the water polo game after it over or invite the people waiting to enter the pool. Why? only ONE court/pool available.

open play
 

six courts are utilized during normal 2 hour session. When there is an open court, no one should bother people playing on one of the six. Go use an open court by yourself & your friends.
Seems logical & courteous to me.

[QUOTE=PromisesKept;1234453]six courts are utilized during normal 2 hour session. When there is an open court, no one should bother people playing on one of the six. Go use an open court by yourself & your friends.
Seems logical & courteous to me.[/QUOTE

I agree, I won't barge in on people I don't know unless I am asked to join

It seems that way to me also, but perhaps I'm being naive.
Shouldn't people be given a friendly welcome during open play, and not be treated as interlopers?
:1rotfl: