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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

I’m with you. Keep the basketball courts. That said, boomers are aging, a big part of the Florida population and they comprise of most of the players.

I’ve never tried the game only because of the injuries. ER docs are saying it’s the number 1 cause of broken and fractured bones.

Great essay.

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

That's CRAZY! I had no idea on the injuries. I've heard people complain about the noise. It seems like one of those very low barrier to entry kind of things. The first time I heard about it was maybe 2018 from a couple who were in their late-60s at the time, so I thought it was a "let's get the aging people moving!" kind of fad. Nope. I may have to visit Ballaaahhhhhss just to report back. I WILL be at the bar. Grazie!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

The noise. Haha. Probably the seniors falling and moaning in pain.

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

HAAAAA! Anyone with aging parents knows—they are not the quiet generation :)

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Henny Hiemenz's avatar

Definitely. It’s the new cross-fit for docs and PTs

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

As I said, I had no idea on the injury factor. Then again, it makes sense. People see that net and want to go all Battle of the Sexes on the court. Nope.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

So it has nothing to do with cucumbers soaked in dill and preserved in brine.

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

It does not and that might be the biggest and most tragic error of this whole duct taped together kind of sport! I feel like Fred Armison and Carrie Brownstein would have something Portlandia-ish to say about....

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Your pickle ball rules, including the umpire's doughnut, are hilarious, Sheila. As is this digression, "...Someone else said they couldn’t find the shuttlecock. Another person snickered at the term “shuttlecock.” Someone rolled their eyes while that other person remembered how a certain someone used to be way more fun before kids came along." Our town has lost a few public tennis courts which have been converted to pickle ball. A rage, apparently, out here in the left coast.

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

Thanks my friend! The pee-ball domination shows no signs of slowing down. This complex they are going to build in Boston is in a rapidly evolving area of the city with a lot of young residents...we'll see how it fares. I'll report in from the bar :)

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

That would be my choice as well. Save a stool for me. In Spanish, it is said, " Dios los hace, y ellos se juntan." God makes them and they find each other.

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

Yes and yes yes!! :)

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Henny Hiemenz's avatar

Not gonna lie, that concoction sounds delish.

I’ve mostly stayed away from pball, due to my age and propensity to turn into an asshole while participating in competitive sports.

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

Make it for your family's Fourth of July gathering and who knows! You might never have to go to another family Fourth of July gathering again! :) But please, try and be health conscious and use the low sodium cream of mushroom soup. I am intrigued by your unsportsman like assessment...got a story about that? :)

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Henny Hiemenz's avatar

A couple of so-so stories to go along with a small subset of middle aged men littering the country that have been cursed at and/or shoved by yours truly.

Come to think of it, sounds like a great idea for a story…thanks Shelia!!

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

YES!! I will keep my peepers ready to read!

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Ingrid Haring-Mendes's avatar

I've never tried playing, but who knows what the future holds....

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

May your dinks never end up in the kitchen! :)

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Marmi's avatar

I like your moniker for it better Sheils! "Pongminton" 🏓 And I agree, most sports have too many rules, and the main problem is that you need at least a modicum of athletic ability, energy, and balance to participate in the vast majority of them. All things I lack 😆

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

Pongminton could catch on. Especially for the overlap into the gamers who played Pong OG! Let's get a focus group on this! I am with you on the ability part-nope, none, zero, zip...I don't even trust myself with a fishing rod :)

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