>> MILLEDGEVILLE PICKLEBALL CLUB
Brett Boston says pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world, and he wants Baldwin County to be a part of that spurt.
Boston is the current President of the Board of Directors of the Milledgeville Pickleball Club (MPC), a non-profit 501 c (3) corporation that is heavily involved in the sport’s activities at the local recreation complex. The organization has been in existence about 15 months.
“MPC was founded in December 2021 by a group of 25 community- minded players that were looking to spread their love for the sport,” Boston said, noting that there are almost 50 dues-paying members who ante up $20 or more annually to be a part of the club.
The president is proud of what the club has done in its early stages. Two charitable fund-raising tournaments were held in 2022, one repeated in February, and the other will take place again in November. Mixed league and women’s league play began in 2022, and a men’s league started to play in January of this year, with the women starting a second year that same month.
Play at the recreation complex, however, is not limited to league play.
“We have over 200 players regularly using the courts seven days a week”, Boston said, adding that opportunities are available both mornings and evenings. One evening is dedicated to college students.
The morning sessions are dominated by older, retired enthusiasts as well as those with flexible schedules. The evening play, including the leagues, and additional events are the focus of the MPC, which has partnered with the county recreation department. The leagues are funneled through the county department, Boston said, adding there is a coordinated effort for everything to run smoothly.
“The leagues are through the rec. department, the fees go to the county. The club runs them. We organize the teams, advertise, build the schedules, run the evening play and tally the scores. We do it all,” said Boston. “The county folks enter the league in the registration process and help us coordinate sign-ups. They maintain the courts, fix nets, lights, move bleachers and so forth to make sure things run smoothly. It’s a great partnership.”
While open play at the complex is free, league competition does have an associated cost. For $10, league players play for 10 weeks under the new league policy. That is a reduction from $20 for five weeks previously. And, Boston said, fees for league play are common.
“Last I checked, all recreation programs charge fees,” he commented, adding that those include charges for other sports such as basketball, soccer and softball.
Another partnership between the club and county last year was a district tournament. The county hosted the three-day Georgia Recreation and Parks District 6 State Qualifier, and the club basically ran that event. Boston said that tournament showed the potential for Baldwin County.
“The economic analysis showed a $35,000 impact for that weekend. That included lodging, dining, groceries and store visits,” He state and added that not only was there an immediate economic impact, it led to increased visits.
“Of those that visited for the tournament, many have returned to play in leagues and open play on a regular basis. Many return to play in the additional charity events we have run.”
Boston is proud of the way Baldwin County has progressed in the pickleball world.
“For a small-town club, Milledgeville Pickleball Club punches over its weight in producing quality players that compete around the state. Our tournament and fund-raising events are the envy of our neighbors, and many have asked for our league and tournament formats for their own use.
“Milledgeville is one of the best places to play pickleball in the state,” he continued. “Every level of player feels welcomed and can find a level of play that works for them. One of our recent tournament participants summed it up best in her written feedback, ‘I have played all over the Southeast, and Milledgeville is the most charming, welcoming and competitive place to play pickleball I have found.’ “ However, Boston does see problems on the immediate horizon. He says the location of the courts at the bottom of a sloping terrain and proximity to an immediately adjacent pond have led to water issues, specifically cracking in the courts’ surface. While he appreciates county assistance thus far, he sees the need for corrective measures in the near future.
“Our elected officials have made a great initial investment in courts and are to be thanked,” he said. “However, a quick look at the court will show you that they are now so cracked and subsiding as to be dangerous. It’s time to invest a little in resurfacing the existing courts as a first step.
“Building a future pickleball complex like Dublin, Griffin, Macon, and Jones Counties should be our goal. We have far more to offer with our lakes and great community,” he stressed Club activities, league play, tournaments, and potential future problems aside, Boston is a huge believer in pickleball’s individual benefits.
“There is no other sport I am aware of that provides the enjoyment, exercise, and friendship building as pickleball. There is a reason 36 million Americans played pickleball last year and why it is the fastest- growing sport in the world.
“It’s a sport you can learn in a few hours. That separates it from golf, tennis, softball and other sports. Early success and a welcoming friendly environment where every player will lend you a paddle and help you improve.”
Boston cited one example of what the sport can mean.
“One of our members brought her mother to the women’s league to watch her play. She said to me that she had never competed in a sport before, and this was the first time her mother got to see her play a sport. And that sums up pretty nicely why this sport is so much fun” said Boston.