What started in the 1960s as a made-up game that combined varying elements of well-known sports has become a wildly popular pastime across the United States. And now, faculty and staff members at Case Western Reserve University can join in on the movement. The Office of Research and Technology and the Office of the Provost are teaming up to offer an official summer pickleball league to build community among faculty and staff members.
The league will take place Thursdays from June 8 to Aug. 24. Matches will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on the multipurpose courts of Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center.
No experience is required—just show up and play or cheer on your coworkers.
To sign up for the league, download the TeamReach app (for iPhone or Android) and join using group code 4410644106. All schedule updates and communication will be done in the TeamReach app.
Questions? Contact Steve Fening, associate vice president for research and professor of biomedical engineering, at steve.fening@case.edu.
Don’t know much about pickleball? Here are six things you should know to get started.
- Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is played on a smaller court with a lower net, making it more accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.
- The game is played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball. The objective is to hit the ball over the net and land it within the boundaries of the opposing team’s court, while also avoiding letting the ball bounce twice on their own side.
- Pickleball can be played in singles or doubles format. In doubles, teams of two players compete against each other, with one player serving and the opposing team returning the ball. When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning. After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball or play it off a bounce.
- Pickleball is known for its emphasis on strategy and placement rather than power. The pace of the game is generally slower than tennis, allowing for longer rallies and increased player involvement.
- Pickleball has gained popularity worldwide due to its social and inclusive nature. It can be played indoors or outdoors and is often seen as a fun way to stay active and engage in friendly competition.
- The student-focused CWRU Pickleball Club has over 300 members and a dedicated Instagram feed. In 2022, the club competed in the first ever collegiate nationals in Austin, Texas.