Pickleball blasts to popularity in Bartlesville

If you stop by the YMCA or First Baptist Church Family Life Center, you might notice a dozen or so people playing a sport that is taking the country by storm.

Whether slamming on the line or dinking in the kitchen, pickleball, the fast-paced racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, is quickly gaining popularity across Bartlesville and the U.S.

The subtle crack of the wiffleball-like ball striking a paddle can be heard all over the U.S. With an estimated 36 million people playing pickleball in 2021, according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, it's no wonder that it has been dubbed the "fastest-growing sport in America."

Kumar Krishnan, local pickleball ambassador and Bartlesville Pickleball Club president, enjoys the game, but the real draw for him is the community.

"The camaraderie and socializing is the part that I absolutely love about pickleball," said Krishnan. "I made more friends with pickleball than in any other sport or work experience combined."

Whether a beginner player or a pro, that sentiment is echoed by everyone who plays.

On weekday mornings, First Baptist Church Life Center is the place to play. The gym hosts two courts where more than 20 players take turns playing 2x2.

One thing you will learn when meeting a pickleball player − a true convert is known as a pickler − is the first thing they ask is, "Do you play?" and the second is, "Are you ready to learn?"

Even with pickleball being a competitive sport, you will hear more laughter than anything else as players chat on the sidelines with friends they just made or ones they dragged along.

Krishnan said anyone interested in playing should show up and watch the game; all players are more than willing to teach someone how to play.

"Just tell them you're new — they will take care of the rest," said Krishnan.

That's how Teri Dray got started three years ago, and she hasn't stopped playing. She noticed people playing while she walked the track at FBC Life Center and the community took her in and taught her everything she needed to know.

Dray had a heart transplant 17 years ago and plays pickleball for exercise, but like everyone who plays, the community keeps bringing her back.

"It's more fun than just walking," said Dray. "I love the community."

In December, April Gerrish was invited by one of her friends to try it while working out at the Phillips Gym and now plays every day.

"Such a great community that embraces you," said Gerrish. "Everyone will just help teach you as you go. Once you start, you can't stop."

In 2018, Brad Dickey wanted to get back in shape and started swimming but then was invited to play pickleball.

"I never went back swimming after playing," said Dickey. "My favorite thing is the group we play with. You can't beat this community."

Dickey said usually, someone has an extra paddle, or you can borrow one from the Family Life Center. His best advice is, "Just keep hitting and just keep playing."

Then you have the "pros" like Debbie Krebbs, who has been playing for over seven years and won a few tournaments. Even with some tournament wins, she is still willing to play with first-time beginners or to have a few laughs by blaming a newspaper reporter for distracting her on a serve or two.

"I was in Branson on vacation, and that's when I started playing and came back to town and found this group," said Krebbs. "Anyone can play, young to old it doesn't matter."

Everyone who plays has their own story of getting into the sport, and the Bartlesville pickleball scene continues to grow. Krishnan estimates there are almost 300 players in town.

Anyone looking to learn or pick up a regular game can play at the YMCA Monday through Friday from 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or at FBC Family Life Center Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Krishnan recommends joining the Bartlesville Pickleball Club Facebook group for updates and to learn when players might have special games at the Sooner Park tennis courts or running training clinics.

For players looking to take their game to the next level, Bartlesville hosts a pickleball tournament every year where the Hillcrest Country Club converts its tennis courts into 10 pickleball courts. The Bartlesville Pickleball Fall Classic brings in over 200 players and around a quarter million dollars in economic impact over the three days, according to Krishnan.

But the biggest movement for pickleball in Bartlesville is the new outdoor courts coming to Sooner Park.

"Bartlesville citizens voted for It in 2020, and they designed eight individually fenced outdoor courts," said Krishnan. "We could do tournaments, we could do leagues, we could do clinics, we could do a whole host of things, and there's sufficient room to expand there too."

The last city update on the project put completion later this year.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Pickleball blasts to popularity in Bartlesville