Some years back, Dave Satka was in the midst of a pickleball lesson, just trading shots and banter with his student, when the latter made a suggestion: “You should write a book.”
Winning Pickleball
And so he did. Satka’s Winning Pickleball, published by Hatherleigh Press in New York, will hit bookshelves on April 30. On May 4, he’ll grace the Barnes & Noble in Logan Towne Center, Altoona, PA, with a signing and seminar, something he is eagerly anticipating.
“It’s given me great satisfaction,” says Satka proudly. “For a first-time author to be picked up by a major publisher is really rare.”
A graduate of Indiana State University, resident of Duncansville, and retired educator from Forest Hills and Penn State Altoona, Satka attributes the marketability of his book to the growing phenomenon of pickleball.
“I’m under no illusion that it’s because I’m a great author,” Satka admits to The Altoona Mirror. “It’s because of the pickleball growth and potential for sales.”
A Significant Increase
The swift acceptance by Hatherleigh came as no surprise.
“We are very excited to be publishing David’s forthcoming book,” remarked Andrew Flach, Publisher at Hatherleigh. “The sport has seen a significant increase in places to play and membership growth. David’s book was ideal for our specialized publishing domain in health and well-being, as pickleball is an ideal way for people to keep active.”
The book includes a foreword by Anna Leigh Waters and her mother.
Satka extends his gratitude to Dave Berry, the student mentioned at the beginning of the article, for the inspiration.
“He had written a book and knew the process, and he convinced me that I could do that,” Satka said. “Without Dave, there’s no chance I would have attempted this, and I probably wouldn’t have completed it without him because he encouraged me the whole way through.”
Berry is an accomplished player himself, having clinched medals at the well-respected Gamma Classic Tournament in Pittsburgh for two consecutive years. He provided feedback and editorial assistance for the book, highlighting Satka’s extensive background in competition, coaching, and teaching as the book’s cornerstone.
Couldn’t Get Enough Of The Game
Another staunch supporter was Hope Sheehan, a regular partner on the court and an author herself.
“The first day that Dave (Satka) showed up to play pickleball was when we met 11 years ago,” Sheehan remembers. “I’m a foot shorter and 10 years older, but I had the advantage then because I was already playing pickleball, and he was still playing tennis. Dave couldn’t figure out why I was winning. But even when he was losing, he couldn’t get enough of the game.”
Their bond strengthened during the pandemic, with Sheehan emphasizing Satka’s infectious enthusiasm and humor, traits evident in his book.
“Dave just loves to have fun, and his nature has upped the game’s enjoyment for me,” Sheehan says. “His sense of humor comes through in the book, and I’m hoping that the book’s hints raise the readers’ pickleball game just as Dave and I have advanced our own.”
With advancing age, many former tennis players, including Satka, gravitate towards pickleball due to the more compact court size, social appeal, and varied skill levels.
Winning Pickleball ad https://t.co/rG6kYIrYvP via @YouTube
— Dave Satka (@DaveSatka) March 11, 2024
Bored With “Older Man Tennis”
“I was an assistant pro at the Summit (Tennis & Athletic Center) and came to the conclusion there was no amount of practice that was going to be enough to counter all these young, fast, hard-hitting players. Those days were over, and I was bored with older-man tennis.”
His transition to pickleball led him to Garfield Park, where he played a pivotal role in transforming aging tennis courts into dedicated pickleball facilities.
Today, the Blair County Pickleball Club flourishes, with Garfield Park boasting six exclusive courts.
“The sport’s inclusive and addictive nature makes it appealing to a wide range of ages and skill levels,” Flach remarked.
Satka has dedicated the book to Benjamin.
