Happy New Year! - Although it was not starting off as a very happy new year for our Stack Team App users.  We were experiencing several technical issues with the mobile app.  Fortunately, as best as I can see, these issues seem to be resolved. I can now see all the sessions within the Schedule's list view. I'm hoping that the other issues have been resolved as well.

Lake Elkhorn Indoor Sessions - We had to cancel the Jan. 6th sessions due to a lack of interest.  We will offer another opportunity for this venue for Jan. 13th and tickets will go on sale on Sat. around 1 pm.  If we don't get enough people to cover the costs of the facility we may need to cancel this session as well. The decision will need to be made on Tuesday evening so we can cancel the session 3 days prior as per the school's policy. If we do have to cancel, we will refund the members who signed up. So if you would like to try out one of the indoor sessions at LEMS, please sign up prior to Tuesday evening.  We are offering an Intermediate session from 8 am to 10 am and Novice 1 & 2 from 10 am to Noon.

Western Regional Park was a great venue for this years HCPA Open Ladder League. Twenty-four participants took to the courts each week. The league format initially divided players onto six dedicated courts based on their DUPR ratings. Foursomes at each court rotated partners for a total of three games to make up a round. After each round, the top two players moved up a court, and the other two moved down a court. Two rounds were played each week for a total of 6 games. The games were played to 15 points or 15 minutes whichever occurred first. Ties were broken by an exciting one-point Rally scoring tiebreaker!

League participants shared positive feedback and compliments regarding the Ladder League organization and format and stated that they learned important skills while having a good time.

Thank you to Troy Osten as the Competitions Committee Chair, and to Hitesh Nigam and Eric Chiprurnoi as the Co-Chairs of this Open Ladder League. A big thanks also to the substitute players who filled in to ensure we had enough players every week.

Congratulations to Troy Osten and Krupesh Patel who finished at the top of the ladder.

Reminder: The next league will be a Mixed Doubles league in JAN-FEB and is indoors at The Putaway in Millersville, MD. Signups are open now on the Stack TeamApp!

Posted by: Andy Dalal

Newsletter for Winter 2023 - Andy Dalal, our president, decided to give the newsletter another chance to offer our members an additional communication option. Thanks to Carol White our newsletter editor for pulling it together and thanks to all who contributed. You will find the newsletter posted under Assoc. News on our website or the News within Stack Team App and can access it via the following link.

Winter 2023 Newsletter

Member Deals Update - We added two additional items to the Member Deals page.  One for 6 Zero Paddles and one for Friday Paddles.

Huge deep discount (30% off retail) annual sale for GAMMA products for all HCPA members- from Marc Austin

Hello to all HCPA members.   As many of you know I am part of team GAMMA and was awarded the top GAMMA ambassador in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Thanks very much to all the HCPA members who took advantage of my sale during those years as GAMMA produces the highest quality American made products in the industry. I hope to reach that goal four years in a row which would continue my unprecedented run in the country. 

Each year I set aside a bunch of GAMMA products for a huge one-of-a-kind sale (30% off retail) that all HCPA members can take advantage of. My sale was a big hit in both 2021 and 2022. 

I am holding the 2023 sale now, so I encourage all members to check out the items below. I have all the items listed below at my home so there is no need to worry about ordering.  No other pickleball products representative is offering this type of discount. The timing is great for the holidays to treat yourself or your loved ones. 

Here is how to participate.  If you want any of the products listed below, please Email me at: mmfaustin@gmail.com with the items you want and what day you will be picking up the items( see dates and location below). I will be keeping track of when the Emails are sent and will be reserving items by the order they are sent.  So please respond as quickly as possible with the items you want to make sure you get them. I will Email back to the players so they know what products they will be receiving.  All ordered items can be picked up on Saturday December 2 or Sunday December 3 (both at noon) in the parking lot in front of the entrance to Gary Arthur Senior Center in Western Howard County.  I will be there with the products both days for your convenience.  I prefer cash but I do accept checks and Venmo.  

IF ANYONE WANTS A PRODUCT(S) AND JUST CANNOT MAKE IT ON THOSE TWO DAYS- TELL ME IN YOUR EMAIL RESPONSE AND WE WILL FIGURE OUT SOMETHING.

If you have any questions, please Email me.

Below are the great products I have for sale along with the greatly discounted prices:

New Paddles:

Obsidian- new raw Carbon faced "spin" paddle 16mm- I HAVE 4- your cost $115 each- totally amazing prices as other manufacturers are charging over $200.  

Hellbender- always a top seller and the one I use- I HAVE 2- your cost $120 each

Hellbender- brand new limited edition Halloween colors for 2023-  your cost $120

Voltage 5.0- from the new Quantum series- a great Intermediate level paddle- your cost $70

405 ( red/blue version) - a well priced mid level to advanced level paddle- your cost $100

Slightly used paddles- I mean these paddles have been used only two or three times 

Micron 5.0- from the new Quantum mid level series- amazing price at $40

Nutron 5.0- another great mid range paddle from the new Quantum series- your cost $40

505- top selling advanced level paddle with a large sweet spot and longer paddle handle just like the Obsidian- your cost $110

Lindsay Newman - her personally designed paddle- great for the price at $90

Quest- amazingly great beginner level paddle that has been very popular- great for beginners and kids- $30

Used Paddles:  These paddles have been used a good amount but are still in great shape( the prices reflect)

Hellbender- as above- your cost $70

Discovery- nice beginner paddle with a long face for extra reach- your cost $30

Shard - yellow- Great intermediate and advanced level- previous top seller- your cost $50

Other GAMMA products;

GAMMA Paddle covers- very cool- I HAVE 5- your cost $8 each

Sling bag- this one is very useful- your cost $25

White hats- super absorbent for those who sweat a lot- I HAVE 2- I love these-your cost $13 each

Red Visor- your cost $12

Bag of multi colored training balls- to be used to pick up spins- about 10 balls in the pack- your cost $15.

INDOOR GAMMA Pickleballs- they are just as good as any indoor balls- I HAVE MANY - your cost $2 each

Clothing and Accessories with Howard County Pickleball Association Logos on Sale!!

Check out our on-line store for awesome HCPA clothing and accessories! Many new items, new colors, and new sizes have been added!

Great holiday gift ideas!

HCPA Online Store

HCPA Clothing Committee

Technical Difficulties with Stack Team App - Many of us have been experiencing technical difficulties with our mobile application. It turns out that the Stack Team App (STA) crew made a software change but didn't communicate this other than within the edit of a session. As a result of the change, it caused a lot of problems, some of which have still not been resolved.  I am attempting to work with the STA support team but they are not very responsive. Please be patient as we work through this software modification.  Thanks - Earl Sneeringer, VP of Technology & Operations

An Additional Resource - Jay McTighe, a member of HCPA, has graciously offered to create and support a new webpage on our website called Player Development. With the assistance of his daughter Maria Alcoke, who is the co-founder of MariaVida Creative - a full service web & design agency; they have created both a public offering and a members only offering. Here's Jay's announcement for this:

The Mission of the Howard County Pickleball Association includes a provision to “promote and teach all ages” the game of pickleball. To that end, HCPA has added a page to its website for PLAYER DEVELOPMENT. This page is located under the MEMBERS menu item. This page will initially include three components: 

1)    A compilation of links to more than 200 instructional videos on a variety of pickleball skills, from basic to advanced;

2)    a list of links to articles offering tips and strategies to support player development and enjoyment of the game; and

3)    a link to an updated list of Places to Play in the area.

Evening Sessions are Ending - With the time change happening this Saturday, we will be stopping the evening sessions until next spring.