January 16, 2019
Archived Version of a Previous Newsletter
This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter. The most current N. Phoenix Newsletter is available by clicking HERE!
January 16, 2019
Hello Phoenix Area Players:
I just want to touch base with those on the email list about a few items.
Normal schedule will resume on Tuesday, 1/22!
Larry Lite, USAPA Southwest Regional Director, will be meeting with the North Central Arizona Ambassadors on February 1, 2019, to provide an update on the various programs being offered by the USAPA. He will go over his goals for the region, an update on the Ambassador program and a discussion about issues and concerns amongst our ambassadors. There will be opportunities for ambassadors to share their questions and ideas as well.
I will keep you posted regarding pertinent information!
Over the last several weeks I have heard some players make line calls by saying: “I think the ball was out!” We can probably all agree that on some courts the lines are difficult to read and calling balls correctly may be a bit tricky at times, but let’s examine the sentence above.
It seems to imply that there is some doubt as to whether the ball was “in” or “out!” In such an instance, we can look to the official rulebook to learn how to deal with this situation.
Here is what the rulebook states:
“6.D.3. The opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made. Any ball that cannot be called “out” will be considered “in.” A player cannot claim a “let” because the ball was not seen or there is uncertainty. A player may appeal to the referee to make the call if he or she did not clearly see the ball land. If the referee is unable to make the call, the ball is “in.” [ USAPA & IFP Official Tournament Rulebook, p. 31 ]
The remedy to “thinking” the ball was out, in my opinion, lies in the first sentence, i.e. the benefit of the doubt goes to the opponent. Secondly, “Any ball that cannot be called ‘out’ will be considered ‘in’.” Careful reading of that sentence seems to imply that if the ball cannot definitively be called “out” it is considered to be “in.”
When playing recreational pickleball, we should always be in a position to give the opponents the benefit of the doubt. After all, isn’t that what sportsmanship is?
In a recent post on my website, Pickleball – Let’s Talk Etiquette, I included the above section and I also addressed the issue of pickleballs from other games coming on to the court. This can be dangerous at worst and often frustrating at best! If you are interested in that subject, you can read the post [if you read the item above, skip to the second part at the link below]:
So, you think you have had some long rallies? How about a 68 shot rally at the Las Vegas Pickleball Open.
Previous newsletters that may have pickleball hints, videos, rules changes, etc. are now archived at the following link. You can check out previous newsletters there.
Archived N. Phoenix PB Previous Newsletters
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********** That’s All for Now **********
I hope to see you on the courts!
Regards,
Jeff Ross
