Sent in by member Jim Firestone

Pickleball Retreat in Bermuda!
Dec. 9-14, 2023

Lift your game! Join acclaimed pickleball pros Lee Whitwell and
Sonny Tannan, and Jaunts By Jim, to learn about this exciting group
trip to a top resort in Bermuda for instruction, with time to explore this
gorgeous island!

Click to join email list

Click to register for Webinar:
Wed., Sept. 27, 2023
7:30-8:15 pm

Seeking Volunteers for the JOOLA MD Open - It’s the Final Countdown!

Last day to get a free volunteer t-shirt is this Wednesday, the 20 th

Please sign up on the Joola MD Open Volunteer SignUpGenius Link.

We REALLY need YOU!!!

From Linda O'Neill

HOORAY!  Howard County Recreation and Parks has completed the build of 8 dedicated Pickleball courts!!!  

Reminder for the HCPA Committee Formation Social - The Board would like to invite members interested in volunteering for the association to a short presentation @ 7:00pm on August 15^th at the Schooley Mill Park located at 12975 Hall Shop Rd, Highland.

We will present information on the new Board structure which includes various committees and provide examples of some of the short term volunteer needs.  You can explore which committee/opportunity would be best suited to your interest, ability and availability.  Your time is valuable, but a few hours a week or a month will make a big difference in the events and services the club can offer to its members.

Board Directors will be on hand to answer questions and to listen to your ideas.  The club cannot continue to fully operate or grow without additional volunteers. Your participation is important to us. A few hours a month can make all the difference.

Please send a quick email to Joanne.Griesser@verizon.net if you are able to attend the presentation.  Bring a chair and your paddles.  After the meeting, we will set up some nets and play. Light refreshments will be provided.

Examples of Committees:

Player Development

Strategic Planning

Competitions

Member Relations

Facilities

Technology

Communications

Nominating

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart” - Elizabeth Andrew

From Andy Dalal:

Men’s Doubles Round Robin. Sign up as individual on our TeamApp.

Level Intermediate (3.0+). If you regularly play in the intermediate sessions this would be a good fit.

All Ages

Saturday, 8/12
8:30 – 10:30am

The event will be held at Locust Park. Please note there are not any lavatories on site.

Please only sign up if you are in the correct level, thank you!

Please sign up as an individual. For round robins, you will be playing with a different partner each round of play.

If the event is full, please send an email to HCPAroundrobin@gmail.com to get on the waiting list.

ROUND ROBIN CANCELLATION/ARRIVAL POLICY**
All cancellation emails must be sent to: hcparoundrobin@gmail.com.

HCPA Round Robins are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Cancellations
• The cancellation cutoff is 24 hours prior to the event start.
• Any player who cancels after that time will forfeit the right to sign up for or play in the next two HCPA Round Robin events.

No Show or Late Arrivals
• All players must sign in 15 minutes prior to the posted start time.
• Any player who arrives after the posted start time is considered a no show.
• Any late arrival or no show player will forfeit the right to sign up for or play in the next three HCPA Round Robin events.

Leaving Early
• Any player who leaves a HCPA Round Robin prior to the posted end time, will forfeit the right to sign up for or play in the next three HCPA Round Robin events.
• This does not apply to any player who is forced to leave early due to an injury sustained during the HCPA Round Robin.

Please remember, Round Robins necessitate an exact number of players. Players who cancel late, or worse, don’t show up or leave early, potentially ruin the event for the other 15 players. Games can’t be played without the required number of players. Please respect your fellow players.

The later the cancellation, the harder the slot is to fill. Additionally, late cancellations are unfair to other players who would love to play, but due to late notice of slots are often no longer available or unable to get to the courts on time or don’t have their equipment with them. Please cancel as soon as you realize you have a conflict, aren’t feeling well, or are injured; other players and our volunteers depend on your timeliness.

If a Round Robin is canceled by HCPA due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, players will be notified by email and will receive a refund. Events will not be rescheduled.

From James Martin:

The Sunday Drill Session has changed from All Skills to Immediate/Advance level. The reason for this change is twofold, the core group of players that show up regularly are an average of a skill rating of a strong 3.5 and nearly every session a beginner or two will arrive, and it makes the experience unproductive for all involved. The 3.5 players do not get the needed repetition of the shot being worked on and the Beginner is uncomfortable with all the errors made due to playing with players that are 1 to 2 levels above theirs. The Sunday and Wednesday Drill sessions are a game-based design to work certain types of shots such as dinks, lobs, ground strokes, and volleys just to name a few. This format is best designed for players with a strong foundation.

I do not want to leave the Beginner – Novice 1 & 2 out of the opportunity to improve their skills by drilling so beginning on 13 August 2023 there will be a 6-week Beginner – Novice 2 Drill session at the Ice Rink from 8:30-10:30. The format will be different from the Sunday and Wednesday Drill session. The session will focus on building a foundation on the fundamentals. Basic mechanics will be covered as well as other topics such as how to properly grip your paddle. The core of the session will be in repetition of shots in order to “Teach your Body” how to respond automatically. The last portion of the session will be open play in order to put into practice what you have drilled. Many times, it is just a small tweak here or there to take your game to the next level but be warned Drills are not a magic pill that instantly improves one skills. It takes time and consistency however drilling is the proven way to improve in any skill the fastest. If there is good player participation during the 6-week trial, we will make it a permanent session. Even 3.5 players can benefit from this session if they want to learn how a new shot such as how to apply topspin or back spin to the ball or even learn a double hand backhand. This environment is a safe zone for mistakes and trust me if you want to really learn a new shot there will be a lot of mistakes due to the different timing of the shot. This session will be RSVP as court space is limited due to the format. The Beginner – Novice 1 & 2 Drill session will be categorized under “All Skills”. The RSVP will go up on the Stack Team app every Sunday at 5:00 pm. The open play All Skills on Sunday morning will be moved to another location. More to follow on the exact location.

Announcment for Committee Formation Social