CJ Stewart, Public Image Director chaired our meeting and introduced Mr. Daniel Hardeman, Co-Owner – with Laura Hardeman - of the Dill Dinkers Pickleball Clubs. Daniel explained that – surprisingly to many – is not new, because Pickleball was invented in Bainbridge Island, Washington back in 1965. His Dill Dinkers has several facilities including a major facility at 1200 White Street, Suite 1000, Atlanta GA 30310 . Daniel described Pickleball as “what happened when Ping-Pong and Tennis got together and had a baby.”
Moe carefully, Daniel explained Pickleball is a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis . It is played with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball on a badminton-sized court with a low net. People of all ages enjoy it as singles or doubles. Daniel says his team helps players build skills and play with more confidence through individual and group lessons with players of all skill levels with Dill Dinkers’s certified Pickleball instructors.
He emphasizes Pickleball is a sport for everyone – Daniel has a 93-year-old who UBERs to one of his centers at least once per week. He sees the sport creating its own culture engaging all types of people – even helping to overcome the US’s image of violence and bringing people together because it is so easy to get started and gain some success very quickly. So he’s watching Pickleball not only building community but for many it’s creating closer connection to others – he mentioned a growing number who embrace the sport: e.g., the Black Child Development and the PRIDE communities – because it offers a safe place for everyone. He’s watching growth in integrity among contestants, even empathy, building self-worth and work ethic among those who want to become better and better. Further, some claim playing can help fend off dementia … and doubtless it does wonders for hand-eye coordination.
A downside which Pickleball industry works to overcome is its constant noise – the incessant POP when the paddle smacks the ball. This has led to efforts for zoning to rein in Pickleball locations from residential and apartment complexities. Another complaint occurs on public tennis courts when Pickleballers takeover of the courts for hours excluding tennis enthusiasts from being able to plan. Daniel says his enclosed sole purpose facilities help solve some of these problems.
Respectfully submitted,
CJ Stewart, Jared Evans, Neil Shorthouse