The Shadow
April is National Pickleball Month so the Virginian Review caught up with some pickleball players at the YMCA in Low Moor, last Friday morning, to gauge the pickleball popularity in the Alleghany Highlands.
“When I’m not helping out at the Scott Hill Retirement Community, where I live, or my daughter (Misty Gallaghan, owner of the 42 Deli), I’m probably playing pickleball,” said Judy Mitchell. She explained that the game is like tennis with a ball that’s smaller than a tennis ball and bigger than a ping pong ball.
Mitchell was sitting with a group of players, waiting their turn to join in a game already in progress, on an indoor basketball court. “I was surprised to learn there is a pickleball app,” said Stephanie Persinger. “I’ll pick the racket on the dating app,” laughed Mitchell in response.
“We play at the Y; Clifton Forge Armory; Immanuel Baptist Church, Clifton Forge; or at the outdoor courts at Altamont Park, Covington; and Linden Park, Clifton Forge, they all eagerly chimed in,” when asked where one could pick up a game.
Mitchell, who has played for almost two years, explained that she plays four to five days a week. “We have pick up days and today is a pick-up day,” added Mitchell. “I’m a newbie,” said Opal Rogers. Rogers, a resident of Scott Hill, moved to Clifton Forge three years ago. She joined the group about four weeks ago and has been playing two to five days a week. “It’s an addiction that you get very quickly,” added Rogers.
“Once you play one time, you will want to come back,” said Mitchell. “All it takes is once,” added Mitchell as she held up one finger. Then, she was up next to play. She and another player from the seated group, joined the two winners from the last game, on the court.
Pickleball was born in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, WA and made an official sport when the United States Amateur Pickleball Association was formed in 1984. “We have been playing in the Alleghany Highlands for about five years,” said one from the group at the YMCA.
