Grab a paddle for National Pickleball Day on the SouthCoast

[ASFN Admin]

National Pickleball Day is the perfect excuse to grab a paddle and hit the court.

Whether you're a seasoned player or curious about the sport that's taken the SouthCoast by storm, there are plenty of places to join the fun.

With National Pickleball Day on Aug. 8, there's no better time to see what all the excitement is about.

Combining all the things you love about tennis, badminton and ping-pong, pickleball is easy to learn, fun to play and a great way to get active.

Pickleball has grown into one of the country's fastest-growing sports because it's easy for beginners to learn while still being competitive for experienced players.

Ready to see what all the hype is about? Here's everything you need to know to get started with pickleball and where to play across the SouthCoast.

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How to play pickleball​

If you've never played before, don't worry. Pickleball is easy to learn and doesn't take long to pick up.

It is played on a small court using a paddle and a lightweight ball, often played in doubles, but it can be a singles game as well.

One player serves the ball underhand, and after the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before returning it. From there, their opponent can either let the ball bounce or hit it in the air.

You’ll also hear a lot about the “kitchen,” which is the non-volley zone near the net where players cannot hit the ball out of the air.

Most games are played to 11 points, and only the serving team can score.

The best way to learn is to jump right in and start playing.

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What do you need to play pickleball?​

It doesn’t take a lot of expensive equipment to get started playing pickleball. All you need is:

• A pickleball paddle
• A pickleball
• A court
• Comfortable athletic shoes
• A partner to play with

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While many dedicated pickleball courts are popping up across the SouthCoast, some tennis courts have also added pickleball lines to make it more accessible.

Where to play pickleball on the SouthCoast​

If you are ready to grab a paddle and give it a try, here are some places to give it your best shot.

Southcoast Pickleball: 4 David Drown Blvd., Fairhaven

For players looking to play indoors year-round, Southcoast Pickleball offers seven dedicated indoor courts. The center welcomes players of all skill levels and offers options including open play, lessons, and tournaments.

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Kennedy Park: 198 Middle St., Fall River

Those looking for outdoor play can head to Kennedy Park in Fall River, which features eight public pickleball courts with permanent nets that are free to use.

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Pickleball & More: 718 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth

Pickleball & More gives players a dedicated indoor space with nine cushioned courts for a year-round option. They offer lessons, clinics, court rentals and more for players at all levels.

Bristol Community College: 777 Elsbree St., Fall River

Bristol Community College’s Fall River campus offers eight outdoor pickleball courts for players looking to enjoy a game outside.

Southeast Sportsplex: 11 David St., New Bedford

Southeast Sportsplex offers indoor pickleball courts for players looking to stay active year-round. Seven pickleball courts are available to learn how to swing your paddle.

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YMCA, Swansea, Fall River, and New Bedford

Did you know that if you have a membership to the YMCA, they have pickleball courts? Several YMCA Southcoast branches offer pickleball opportunities with scheduled play times available throughout the year.

Livesey Park: 25 Morgan St., Fairhaven

Enjoy a game outdoors at Livesey Park, which features four pickleball courts available for free and can be reserved.

Fort Phoenix: Green Street, Fairhaven

You can reserve the free courts at Fort Phoenix with a waterfront view. There are four dedicated outdoor courts to start your game on.

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Crapo Field: 225 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth

At Crapo Field, players can use the four outdoor courts for free to learn a new skill or practice their serve.

Buttonwood Park: 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford

While Buttonwood Park has five free courts to use with permanent lines, you just have to bring your own net to play.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Grab a paddle for National Pickleball Day on the SouthCoast

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