>> RECREATION
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in this country, as local governments and private entities alike are scrambling to build more courts to handle the rapidly expanding demand.
Baldwin County is no exception, as an estimated 200 people are now playing at various times weekly at the Walter B. Williams Recreation Complex.
There are two basic groups playing at the complex. One, more informal, is referred to as the Milledgeville Pickleball Group, and the other, the Milledgeville Pickleball Club, is organized as a non-profit corporation. Steve Franks is the unofficial spokesperson for the group, and Brett Boston heads up the Club.
Franks started playing pickleball in 2019, and to say it was a slow beginning at the recreation complex would be an understatement. He and his wife, Patsy, started with just two other Baldwin Countians.
“There were just four of us, and we started playing in 2019. We started in the gym. Don and Sandra Smith already knew how to play, and a friend of theirs from Macon came over here and taught Patsy and me how to play.
“There were just the four of us, and we played each other for two months, then started calling folks, begging them to come play. We had four courts lined off, and then someone trickled in, then a few more came in, and before you know it we had 20 people.”
He recalled that after about a year there were about 30 people playing on four courts in the gym before COVID-19 hit.
“We shut it down when covid hit, we didn’t go in the gym anymore.”
Franks said county commissioner Henry Craig helped them continue by getting lines painted on some of the tennis courts at the recreation complex, and play resumed outdoors.
“We started back up with about 10 folks, then got back up to about 20. Then we got the idea to convert two of these tennis courts into pickleball courts, so we got that done. We had four courts.”
It didn’t stop there, he said. The number of players went up to about 30, and the county agreed to convert two more tennis courts to pickleball only, giving a total of eight dedicated courts, the ones used primarily now.
The group Franks volunteers his efforts for plays Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. until the weather warms up, and anyone is welcome.
“We teach; we still teach to this day. We don’t let them sit. They come down and sit for two minutes on these bleachers, and we’re inviting them to play. We’ve taught a lot of folks to play, and we now have a group of about 85, 60-70 active.”
Franks said it was his passion for the game that led to his increased involvement.
“When it started, nobody sat around and said we need to have 80 people play pickleball. I just want to play pickleball and expose other people to it. Get people off the sofa “Somebody had to set it up, somebody had to go buy balls, so I started some of that stuff.”
He and Patsy are the ones primarily in charge of setting up special events, usually once per month, and those outings have led to a more social atmosphere among group members.
A ‘Valentine’s Day’ mixed-doubles tournament delayed two weeks by rainy weather was held Friday, Feb.
24, with 24 players participating in the cost-free event and enjoying refreshments brought by various members. A couple of texts (among many more) illustrate the social environment that has developed among players.
“Thank you Steve and Patsy…Great to be a part of the Milledgville Pickleball Family,” texted Kenny Hilliard. “It was all Patsy and Steve. They can really throw a party and a tournament combined!”, Debbie Hardy wrote. Numerous others expressed similar sentiments.
Franks reiterated that the outings and events set up for group members are free.
“We don’t charge anything. Our play is free…I hope the day doesn’t come when you have to pay to play pickleball here.”
Some of the group members have taken the social aspect to another level, as 40 or more members of the group have signed up and agreed to pay for chartered bus, three-day trip to Biloxi, Miss. Activities will include play at some upscale pickleball locales, sight-seeing, and for those interested in that other extra-curricular adventure, a little gambling.
“We will leave out and stop in Opelika, Ala., and play at one of the best complexes in the South, a 24-court facility that some of the courts are covered like a pavilion. Then we will go to Biloxi for two days. It should be a lot of fun.”
Franks sees the group’s role as encouraging others to play.
“We promote pickleball. We want everybody to know we’re here. If you want to play pickleball, come on out. You don’t have to have a paddle or buy anything to see if you like it. We’ll teach you to play.
“And I bet you will like it.”