via Wikimedia Commons
Pickleball might sound unorthodox, but it's nothing to mess around with. The sport is legitimate and even has its own commanding organization, the USA Pickleball Association, that reigns over rules, regulations, and promotional toolkits used to spread awareness of the sport—not just across the states but internationally.
The sport has become so common that there are a growing number of places to play in St. Louis, whether players are looking for a lighthearted social match or invigorating practice game. Grab your paddles and let’s get swingin’.
The Basics: Pickleball, like tennis, can be played in singles or doubles. A pickbleball court is needed, along with a pickleball paddle, which is larger than a ping pong paddle but smaller than a tennis racquet.
How to Play: According to the USAPA’s website, serves must be made underhand, the ball must connect at the waistline, the player’s feet may not cross the baseline, and the serve must go over the net and land in the opponent’s opposite corner.
The player serving is only given one attempt and must be standing at the right-hand court. When the ball is served, the returning team must let it bounce before returning the hit. After it has bounced once in each team’s court, “both teams may either volley the ball or play it off a bounce,” according to USAPA.
According to the website, “the double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volleyball advantage and extends rallies.” Once a “sequence” is started, the teams continue playing until a fault is made (i.e. missing the ball, the ball doesn’t go over the middle boundary). The server continues serving until a fault is made.
Points are only scored by the serving team. According to the USAPA’s website, games are normally played until 11, win by 2.
For more information on non-volley zones, line calls, faults, and determining a serving team, visit USAPA’s website. They recommend beginners learn the sport with a professional.
Where to Play in St. Louis: According to USAPA, “the number of places to play has more than doubled since 2010.” In St. Louis, new places to swing a pickleball racquet are popping up left and right. There’s even a website dedicated to St. Louis pickleball. Next time you’re in the mood to try something new, visit one of these seven places.
Renovated in 2017, Tower Grove’s new facilities include nine hard-surface tennis courts, a new addition of eight hard-surface pickleball courts, and three newly refurbished grass courts. Courts are open daily from 7 a.m.–10 p.m., but free public hours are Monday through Friday noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 5–10 p.m. Membership and guest passes are needed otherwise. The park also has a staff member dedicated to teaching others the sport. Both youth and adult group lessons are available, as well as private lessons.
Vetta Racquet Sports–Concord and West
Two locations offer a combined number of 24 indoor pickbleball courts. Pros can teach both members and nonmembers in groups or in private lessons. In fact, the 101 Clinic is an introductory 30-minute course covering the basic of pickleball, and open play immediately follows the course. Both 101 Clinic and open play are only offered September through May. Both have fees varying, depending if players are members or nonmembers. Vetta also offers pickleball leagues.
For a more relaxed setting, park goers can visit Shroeder Park during normal hours to try out the sport themselves. There are no designated pickleball courts, but tennis courts can be used by taking advantage of the portable nets. There is no fee to use the space and players are advised to bring their own equipment. The courts are also lit at night until 10 p.m. for those wanting to play one last match before bed.
Already a pro at picklball? Join the Sunset Tennis Center, a facility completely dedicated to tennis and pickleball players alike. Open play is on Wednesdays from 6–8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. for $7 a person. Patrons can also reserve a pickleball court. Call before you go, though. According to their website, weekly pickleball times will resume in the fall.
As a recreation facility for the Richmond Heights, Brentwood and Maplewood areas, the HEIGHTS is another perfect place for the sport of pickleball. Courts are indoors and open play is on Tuesday nights from 7–9 p.m., Friday nights from 6–9 p.m., and Saturday mornings from 8:45–11 a.m. Drop-in rates are $3 for residents and members and $5 for members and non-residents. Enthusiasts can also purchase a punch card allowing 11 visits for the price of 10. For members and residents, punch cards are $30 and for nonmembers and non-residents, $50.
The DDTC, located in Forest Park, is another pickleball haven for beginners and experienced players alike. According to their website, there are four permanent sites, but the facility has the ability to create 36 temporary courts. For a $5 court fee, players are allowed 90 minutes of playing time. On the grounds, there is a shaded patio, two outdoor restrooms, men and women’s locker rooms with showers, an ice and water machine, and a shop stocked with beer, water, Gatorade, and snacks. Night time play is also available. Those that are play pass–holders can reserve court times in advance and skip the $5 court fee. Paddles are available to rent and both balls and paddles are available for purchase. Beginners may also take a 60-minute lesson for a fee reserving the court, and pro and clinic are offered March 29 through September 27.
This club takes place both at Tower Grove Park and at Frontenac Racquet Club, offering both indoor and outdoor courts. The organization aims to improve on your ability to play pickleball, whether it be at the beginner level or beyond. Private or group lessons are offered from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. Once covering the basics, guests can reserve an indoor court for $16. The academy also occasionally puts on events, so be on the lookout for news and updates.
