Story written by Mary Mattingly
Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the July edition of The 812 Magazine. Click here to subscribe.
(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – There is a new disorder sweeping the country (wink-wink) called OPD, Obsessive Pickleball Disorder, and it has hit the Batesville area hard.
“I can see the American Psychiatry Association with a new 'Pickleball Disorder' in the catalog with the many numbers affected and the description of people abandoning families, losing jobs…all due to pickleball,” jokes Ken Baran, a self-proclaimed pickleball addict.
He just learned the game after being intrigued by seeing so many other seniors playing at the Southeastern Indiana YMCA.
Pickleball is a big dill, er deal! (Excuse the pun but pickleball fanatics hear them all!)
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Every day, weather permitting, the four outdoor courts at Southeastern Indiana YMCA are in use as all ages meet to dink, drive, bang and slam the ball over the net. The City of Batesville parks department recently revamped three pickleball courts at Liberty Park, another public place people can go to get their pickleball fix.
Membership and reservations have increased at the Y since the organization partnered with the city to develop the four outdoor public courts. They also modified their gyms to accommodate the increased interest in pickleball, according to Tamika Sizemore, Y membership director. She said they see everyone from youth to retirees playing the sport.
Gil Salatin is one of the seniors. He’s 80 and plays regularly in the morning with a group of “has-been” athletes. It quickens his reflexes, he said. A frequent competitor is Jim Dice, 62, the trash talker among the same group of a dozen men and women players. “It keeps me healthy, and is just a fun way to work out,” said Dice, drenched in sweat after a game. “Plus, I don’t like to run!”
Pickleball enthusiasts claim the game’s benefits are more than just physical. “It widens your social circle, “Denise Geisting, 57, said, in addition to getting a good cardiac workout. Retired pilot Kent Nettnay, 67, likes the culture. “You can play as hard as you want or not. It’s a lifetime sport, like bowling.” Lesa Hornbach, 65, has advanced to where she is learning strategy, which she thinks is super fun.
Lisa Parmer, 62, Oldenburg, enjoys both the physical and social benefits. She’s a favorite among the regular group for her good humor.
“I love playing with different people, so it was fun to meet new people…I love it that they know I have cerebral palsy and they don’t care. They just accept me as anybody else.”
Micheal Zhang, 49, moved to Batesville when his wife accepted a teaching role with the school’s Chinese immersion program. He learned the game 5 months ago, and despite only speaking Chinese, can copy Kent Nettnay’s sarcasm when he hits an out of bounds shot. “Thank you, Kent!” he repeats.
He learned the rules by watching it on TV and practicing. “Kent took me to play ball. I met some friends. The people here are very friendly… I am very happy,” he shared via a translate app.
Then there’s octogenarian Alice Raab. The 88-year-old is a regular Wednesday player when there is open pickleball at the Batesville Y at noon and 6:30. “It keeps me going. I’ve made so many new friends. That’s what I really like. I was sitting at home in my rocking chair, and this is much better!” Alice fell once and said, “The only thing I hurt was my feelings.”
Several aging tennis players have also succumbed to the sport. For example, Bertie Schmidt, 72, says the hardest part was adjusting her serve.
Another, Sandy Wakefield, 82, also an avid tennis player in her day, says, “You really get your exercise more than you think.” Pickleball fashionista 70-year-old Diane Fritsch loves the aerobic benefits. Her goal is to master the “’Bertie Shot’…Bertie’s infamous angle-line shots.” Sarah Heppner, 60, who started playing long before it became trendy, noted, “I feel at my age I can play it much more often compared to tennis.”
Jeff McKinley, who many recognize as the ambassador to the sport at the SI YMCA, took up the game about 3 years ago. A former tennis enthusiast, the 79-year-old promoted area courts, tournaments, lessons, and coordinated play for beginners at the local Y.
“Different age groups get different benefits from playing pickleball,” he said. For seniors in particular, a bonus is the cognitive benefit; skip the crossword puzzles and keep score to stay mentally sharp.
Mary Jo Bland, 67, assumed coordinating responsibilities from McKinley a few months ago. She and her husband Tom are both natives of Batesville and returned after moving away 40 years ago. They started participating on Wednesdays open play a year ago and now play several times a week. The active couple loves the exercise, but the social aspect is just as important. “I’ve met so many new people!” she exclaims.
Players vary in gender, ability, and age, but most share a common ground: the obsession of the game. Pickleball is their high, their fix, and yep, it’s a very big deal!
Story written by 812 contributor Mary Mattingly (a self-confessed pickleball addict)!
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