Best Day of Televised Pickleball – Peachtree Classic

During COVID, I had very little court time with pickleball and this was the motivation for me to watch matches on YouTube.

Recently, I watched the final matches of the Peachtree Classic and the commentators said that this was probably the best display of championship pickleball ever streamed/televised. I couldn’t agree more!

The lineup for the finals:

  • Women’s Singles Final: Callie Smith vs. Anna Leigh Waters
  •  

  • Men’s Doubles Final: Ben Johns & Collin Johns vs. Matt Wright & Riley Newman
  •  

  • Women’s Doubles Final: Anna Bright & Jessie Irvine vs. Anna Leigh Waters & Leigh Waters
  •  

  • Mixed Doubles Final: Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters vs Riley Newman & Catherine Parenteau
  •  

  • Men’s Singles Final: Julian Arnold vs. JW Johnson
  •  

For those who are curious, you can check player rankings at the Professional Pickleball Association.

One thing for sure, the sport of Pickleball is maturing and the long-dink rally is slowly disappearing and the hard-core bangers seem to be taking over. The reflexes exhibited by the players in these contests are amazing.

So…if you are interested in watching excellent pickleball, this video has over seven hours of pickleball magic.

NOTE:
I don’t think most people would elect to watch the entire video in one sitting. If you are not familiar with YouTube videos, check the section below with hints regarding how to watch YouTube videos and use the controls.


Peachtree Classic – Championship Sunday

 

Some things to note:

  • Pay attention to those matches where the momentum seems to change. This happens in all sports. It is hard to measure, but one point, one play or one tug on the emotions can shift the momentum of the contest.
  • Note how players/teams change strategies when they find that their style of play is not winning.
  • I never appreciated the importance of “stacking” and how certain players are better at one side of the court than the other because of the location of the stronger backhand or forehand. I don’t think most recreational players do much stacking, but is interesting to watch the pros.
  • I also enjoy learning the names of some of the shots: the ATP (Around the Post), the Ernie, the Bert and the Scorpion.

This video has more than 56,000 views. That many pickleball fans can’t be wrong!!

Check this YouTube website for additional tournament videos!


Hints about watching PB on YouTube

To start the video, click on the right facing arrow in the middle of the screen.

When the video linked above starts to play, if you point to the bottom of the video frame, a line appears (this can be yellow or red). You will then see a variety of controls which are explained below in the diagrams.

Here are some other controls you should know if you are not familiar with watching videos on your computer.






From time-to-time YouTube will provide the option for the viewer to skip the current add by placing a link like the one below. Click that to return to the video if so desired.



 

If you stop the video for a break, note the time stamp indicated by the red line. The number of elapsed minutes/hours will show. Write that down in the event you have to find that place when you next start the video. Do this each time you are going to take a break of more than ten minutes or so.

Don’t worry if you forget. Viewers can start the video and click and drag the right-edge of the red line to move the video back and forth to find the desired location, i.e. any place in the video.

Once you click on the start arrowhead, the icon at the bottom left of the video frame changes to two short vertical lines. That is the “universal symbol” to stop a video. You can click on that whenever you want to pause or stop the video.

To start the video once again, just click the right facing arrowhead.

I hope you enjoy these matches as much as I did. Although we may never approach the skills exhibited in these matches, it is grand to see what can be done by some of the best players in the world!

Happy Viewing – Jeff Ross, Pickleball Enthusiast

 

Pickleball News – 20191206 – Archived Version


Pickleball News – 20191206– Archived Version

 

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!

Latest N. Phoenix Pickleball News – December 6, 2019

Hello North Phoenix Pickleball Players:



City of Phoenix Community Centers
********** Gyms Closing for December **********

As I stated in my previous post, December is an “awkward” month for indoor pickleball in the Valley because of holiday events, maintenance schedules and other location-based activities.

The Community Centers often have staff events, meetings, etc. during this time of the year. In addition special events are often provided for students that have a winter recess from their schools.

Paradise Valley Community Center

  • Monday, December 9th – THERE WILL BE PICKLEBALL as usual. The center has a special event in the evening; sorry for any confusion.
  •  
    Closed for Pickleball as Follows:

  • Wednesday, December 11th – NE Division Holiday Party
  • December 23, 2019 through January 3, 2020

NOTE: We can probably surmise that this will be similar for all City of Phoenix Community Centers, however

My best advice is to check with your preferred indoor venue during the upcoming weeks to avoid disappointment. This may be an opportunity for outside play for those of use who generally play at our indoor courts!

You can check “More Places to Play” for some aoutdoor courts in and around North Phoenix!

 



Family Life Center 2019-2020 Holiday Hours
********** Gym Closing for December **********

Family Life Center 2019-2020 Holiday Hours

NOTE – I was told that there WILL BE PICKLEBALL on Tuesday, December 24th, but the hours will be shortened to accommodate the schedule above.

 



G.R. Herberger Park
********** Open for Pickleball **********

Pickleball Courts at G.R. Herberger Park
5802 E. Indian School, Phoenix, AZ 85018

G.R. Herberger Park
Picture Courtesy of Mary Travis – The court on the right-hand side is a tennis court.

From the USAPA Paces to Play Website:

“The City of Phoenix opened 4 permanent outdoor pickleball courts at this location on 11/27/19. The park is open 5:30am – 10pm, 365 days a year and is free to the public. Two tennis courts were converted to 4 fully painted pickleball courts with permanent nets and lights. There are restrooms in the park as well as 2 remaining lighted tennis courts, lighted sand volleyball, and a play field. The park is located on the north side of Indian School Rd. next to the canal and multi-use bicycle path. The viewpoint for The Arizona Falls is accessed from the west end of the parking lot.”

 


For Those Who Have Read This Far

PRO Mixed Doubles GOLD Medal Match
********** 2019 Franklin Pickleball Masters **********

If the weather and holidays are keeping you from pickleball, why not try the next best thing? Watch pickleball tournament videos!

The match below is between the team of Matt Wright and Lucy Kovalova and Ben Johns and Simone Jardim. These are four of the perennial finalists in professional pickleball and are among the “stars” in today’s pickleball world. I think you will find the match entertaining and a wonderful showcase for our sport.

BTW – The name of the facility hosting this match is called Chicken ‘N Pickle in Wichita, KS. Pickleball is becoming so popular that even restaurants are now hosting courts. You can check out their website – Chicken ‘N Pickle – Wichita, KS

********** Archived Versions of Previous Newsletters **********

 

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


*** Support your Sport – Join the USAPA $20 for 1 Year ****

 

 
Join the USAPA – Click HERE for More Information

 

Join the USAPA

Picture Courtesy of Pickleball Magazine and the USAPA

 


********** That’s All for Now **********

 

I hope to see you on the courts!


Regards,

Jeff Ross



Archived versions of North Phoenix Pickleball news and information about a variety of topics related to pickleball, tipes, local schedule changes, etc.