MARQUETTE - Marquette resident Kay LeDuc was curious so that's why, even with a torn rotator cuff, she checked out pickleball.
A recent demonstration at Lakeview Arena has drawn area residents to the sport, which is a hybrid of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. Now games are being played regularly at the arena.
"I was just a spectator, but it looks like a lot of fun," LeDuc said. "I have a rotator cuff injury right now so I couldn't play. But I did watch everyone. They had so much fun. I would give (pickleball) some serious consideration if I was able to play right now."
pickleball is popular in many parts of the United States as well as in countries around the world. Jim and Marlene Fisher, who live in Arizona for part of the year, have brought the game to the Marquette area this summer.
"It's a paddle sport rather than a racket sport," Jim Fisher said. "It's similar to ping-pong. It's played on a quarter-sized tennis court, 20 by 44, with a net the same height as for tennis, which is 34 inches in the center and 36 inches on the side."
The more limited size of the court is why Fisher, 74, recommends pickleball to seniors.
"That's why it's better for older people," he said. "There's not as much area to cover.
'And the ball is more like a wiffle ball, which makes it fly slower," Fisher said. "You can hit it hard and it's usually easy enough to get to."
Fisher said he and his wife discovered the sport while in Arizona and have been hooked every since.
"We started playing in Arizona, where we spent five months last winter," he said. "We played almost every day. The more we played, the more we liked it. Sometimes we played four a hours a day. And I am 74."
It's been seven years since the Fishers took up pickleball and they have seen people up to 85 years old participate.
"It's just better for older people," he said. "People who can't play tennis any more can play pickleball."
Like tennis, pickleball is a game for two or for four.
"You can play singles, which is more challenging. It's almost like tennis," Fisher said. "Or you can play doubles, which is easier on the body, especially for people with bad hips or bad knees. In doubles, you don't have to move as much. Like in tennis doubles, you can move forward after the serve."
The game was started more than 30 years ago in the state of Washington, Fisher said, and it's name comes from the dog of the originator.
"The game has grown by leaps and bounds," Fisher said. "But when we got back from Arizona, we couldn't find courts in the Upper Peninsula. So I went to Lakeview Arena (in Marquette) and talked to them about getting some courts set up. They asked me to put on a demonstration so I did. I had an extra set of (two) paddles so we could get some friends playing, too."
The initial demonstration drew more than 30 people, including 20 during the daytime and others in the evening.
"Lots of people were interested," Fisher said. "There are now two courts set up at Lakeview. People who want to play need to get on board with equipment and they need to know Lakeview charges $2 per day per person to help cover the costs of the courts.
"They were very gracious, putting up barriers so we don't have to chase down the balls that go out of bounds," he said.
Fisher has been playing almost daily now that the courts have been set up.
"I think the courts are available (during the day) until 5 p.m. if you want to play," he said. "We're trying to get it set up one evening a week for those who work during the day."
Fisher said those who are interested in the game are welcome to call him or his wife between 7 and 9 p.m. most evenings to find out more about pickleball. The Fishers can be reached at 249-5485.
He noted that more information can be found online. He recommends pickleballstuff.com or the USA pickleball Association's site at usapa.org as good starting points for those who want to learn about the sport.
"That will help with rules, regulations and all of that," he said. "And you can find out more about equipment."
Paddles for the game start at about $14, and can range up to $70 for the top of the line. pickleballs are between $20 and $25 per dozen.
Renee Prusi can be contacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 253. Her e-mail address is rprusi@miningjournal.net.
