Month: January 2015

The teacher is a monkey; really!

Jeff

The Internet has made it possible for a wide audience to see things they never before imagined. With this mass communication media comes a few caveats and one of them is “don’t believe everything you see or read.” Keeping this in mind, however, it does seem like this little monkey is determined to teach humans his best method for crushing leaves. I think you will find this cute, interesting and perhaps a bit poignant as well.

This human learns a new and valuable life skill.”

“A monkey signals a human to hold out his hand so it can provide some dry leaves. Through the fence, the monkey proceeds to help close the human’s hand so he can successfully crush leaves.”

STATUS QUOtes — 20150127

Jeff

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.” — Lewis Carroll

“Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness.” — Alejandro Jodorowsky

“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.” — Abraham Lincoln

“I finally got my head together; now my body is falling apart.” — Unknown

Pickleball – If the ball hits the net post and bounces into play; good or bad?

Jeff

This happened me today for the first time. I had never seen this before.

Here is the rule:

IFP Official Tournament Rulebook

Section 12. I. (p.38)

“The Net Posts. The net posts are positioned out of bounds. If a ball strikes the net post or anything attached to the net post, it is a fault and a dead ball is declared. This rule does not include the net, the net cable, or rope between the net posts.”

I errantly thought that the ball would be in play and good. This is not correct regarding the Net Post. If it hits a part of the net post (which should be out of bounds), then it is a fault and the player or team of the player hitting that ball loses that service. Who knew? [edited July 10, 2017 to correct an error]

Pickleball: Block Drop When You Don’t Get to Net, Deb Harrison

Jeff

This sometimes happens to me. I get caught in “no man’s land.” When I hit a return that doesn’t go where I anticipated and I am running to the net, the ball is returned prior to my best net position. Watch the video below to learn how you might be able to recover.

“Though the intent is to get you and your partner to net, you may not make it. This video covers the split step stop, and how to block drop the next shot to help you continue to move forward.”

STATUS QUOtes — 20150126

Jeff

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you finally go back to your old home, you find it wasn’t the old home you missed but your childhood.” — Sam Ewing

“What we find in a soul mate is not something wild to tame, but something wild to run with.” — Robert Brault

“I still say a church steeple with a lightning rod on top shows a lack of confidence.” — Doug MacLeod

Doug MacLeod, Robert Brault, Sam Ewing, Ralph Waldo Emerson, quotes, poignant, witty, humorous

STATUS QUOtes — 20150125

Jeff

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” — Pablo Picasso

“When a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a pretty small package.” — John Ruskin

“You make me understand how wonderful it is for little lizards when they find that one special rock that’s perfect for sunning themselves on. You make me lizard-happy.” — Randy K. Milholland

“Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist. While you guys were busy arguing over the glass of water, I drank it. Sincerely, the Opportunist.” — Unknown

Pickleballers – Why you should join the USAPA

Jeff

There are certain entities that people tend to love or hate with little middle ground. I think Pickleball may be one of those things. Whenever I speak to people about the sport for which I have become an enthusiastic supporter, they are either motivated to try it or pooh, pooh the idea. Once I overheard a passerby say to another: “It’s tennis for old people.” It may be true that many older people play Pickleball, but for those who make such comments, the real beauty of the sport has eluded them. Pickleball is a sport that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and all abilities as long as they are relatively evenly matched.

For those who have played tennis, racquetball or any other “paddle/racket” sport, I would encourage you to get involved with Pickleball players on your ability level to see how challenging the sport is physically. And of course don’t get me started about the scoring ; ) (wink)!

Oh, one other thing. Those with modest infirmities such as bad knees, CAN play this sport. Many of my Pickleball cohorts have had knee replacements, hip replacements, etc. and now enjoy a sport that gets them moving and challenges them.

This brings me to my next point. After playing Pickleball for a little less than a year, I decided to become a member of the USA Pickleball Association and I would like to encourage all players to join the USAPA because it is the main organization working to provide more courts and gain more acceptance for a sport that is quickly growing in popularity. They have training programs, marketing plans and assistance in a variety of areas for those who want to become Pickleball players and advocates.

Here are the benefits of becoming a member of the USAPA:

 
NEW $20 1-YEAR MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE!

  • FREE e-mailed Copies of ‘Pickleball Magazine’ (6 per year)
  • 40% Discount (off cover price) of Mailed Subscription of ‘Pickleball Magazine’
  • $10 Discount on USAPA Net System
  • Seasonal Discounts on USAPA Merchandise
  • USAPA e-Newsletter (6 per year)
  • Expanded Member Rewards (hotels, rental cars, restaurants)
  • Member Upgrade Options (optional USAPA discount products members can select during the online registration process)
  • USAPA Rating for all Sanctioned Tournaments (coming in 2017)
  • Secondary Medical Insurance for USAPA-Sanctioned Tournaments
  • Printable USAPA Membership Card
  • Member Access to new ‘Look-Up’ on USAPA Website
  • Member Access to new ‘Partner Search’ on USAPA Website
  • Member Access to new ‘Referee Trainer Guide’ on USAPA Website
  • Member Access to new ‘Referee Handbook’ on USAPA Website

USAPA Pickleball T-Shirt Logo

You can begin the process of joining here: http://www.usapa.org/usapa-membership/

If you want to learn more about the USAPA before joining, visit the USAPA’s website and “click” on the various videos, links and tabs on the top of the page.

It just makes sense to support an organization that is supporting our sport! I hope you consider joining and becoming part of the movement. If you are already a member, I am glad to become your partner in promoting Pickleball. In any event, I think you will enjoy Pickleball if you haven’t started playing already. If you have any questions about Pickleball, please feel free to contact me via this website or by getting my email address from the last paragraph in the About section of this website (scroll down).

STATUS QUOtes — 20150124

Jeff

“It’s easier to build bridges than to run through walls.” — Billy Cox

“Scars…are markings of where the structure of my character was welded.” — Steve Maraboli

“Loving someone requires a leap of faith and a soft landing is never guaranteed.” — Sarah Dessen, “This Lullaby”

“If you’re going to cheat, it’s better if you don’t get caught.” — Yogi Berra (In response to the NE Patriots using under-inflated footballs)

STATUS QUOtes — 20150123

Jeff

“Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.” — Doug Larson

“There are no beautiful houses on easy street.[ed]” — John Paul Warren

“Break a vase, and the love that reassembles the fragments is stronger than that love which took its symmetry for granted when it was whole.” — Derek Walcott

“Abnormal is so common, it’s practically normal.” — Cory Doctorow