Pickleball sport bounces into East Lyme's court

East Lyme - Those who put an ear to the door of the community center activity room Friday afternoon could hear what sounded like a ping pong game, the shuffling of feet and laughter.

But inside, people of all ages were involved in something different: a game of pickleball.

Pickleball is a blending of ping pong, tennis and badminton. It's played on a court large enough for badminton, with wooden paddles and a ball that's similar to a Wiffle ball.

Seniors and others were invited to give the game a try at the East Lyme Community Center. A few curious people peeked in, while staff from the Parks and Recreation Department and the senior center played.

Bob Caste, 75, his interest piqued, walked in and was recruited immediately to play.

Within a few minutes, Cast had a paddle in his hand. After a couple of games, he wasn't completely convinced, but he wasn't quitting.

"I'm trying it out. If I get better, then I'll love it more," Caste said, laughing.

Will Fountain, a "pickleball expert," according to Cathy Wilson, director of the senior center, asked that the sport be included in the senior center's programming. He said it has becoming popular at Black Point, his beach community.

Fountain, a member of the Black Point Men's Club, along with club President Peter DiResta and club Secretary John Campion, introduced pickleball to the beach community last summer.

"My thought is to get people out there playing," said Fountain, 66. "Anyone can play, even if you have limitations. It appeals to a lot of people. It's a friendly-type game that's social as well as athletic."

Pickleball is probably most like tennis. Players on one side serve the ball underhand to the other side. The ball is volleyed back and forth until someone hits it outside of the marked lines. But unlike tennis, there is a seven-foot, no-volley zone, so players can't spike the ball to their opponent.

Also, the court is 15 feet long and 20 feet wide. The net is lowered to 36 inches.

"It's a game for people 8 to 80," Campion said.

Fountain added that pickleball appeals especially to seniors because it's easy on the knees and arms. "It's still active, but it's not high intensity," he said.

Pickleball was named after the founder's dog, Pickles, a cocker spaniel that used to chase stray balls and then hide in the bushes. It's North America's fastest growing sport, according to the USA Pickleball Association.

Next Friday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., people are invited to check out pickleball in the activity room at the community center. Senior center officials said if there's enough interest, they'll start a program, perhaps on Saturdays.