Pickleball’s positive impact continues to resonate beyond the mere confines of the court. From Wichita, Kansas, to Hannibal, Missouri, and all the way east to Hampden, Maine, we’ll see how the spirit of pickleball thrives through a unique blend of community and caring. These regions exemplify how pickleball generates unity, support, and opportunity, holding charity events, tributes to beloved figures, and drop-in clinics.
Hannibal, Missouri
Pickleball is not just always about competition; it’s also about camaraderie. First-timers are warmly welcomed to join drop-in sessions scheduled for Tuesday nights at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center at 301 Warren Barrett Drive in Hannibal, Missouri. The sessions run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Tuesday, March 5, 12, 19, and 26, and April 9, 16, 23, and 30.
You can take part for a mere $5 per session.
During these drop-in sessions, players can just slot into games tailored to their skill levels, with competitive, intermediate, and casual players each having their own designated courts. The setup allows for a fluid rotation of players, ensuring everyone gets a chance to play with different partners.
Emily Hultgren, the recreation supervisor at Hannibal Parks and Recreation, highlighted the benefits, stating, “Drop-in play is a great way to work on your pickleball skills and meet new players.”
Interested individuals can find more details about Drop-in Pickleball by contacting 573-221-0154 or visiting hannibalparks.org.
Hampden, Maine
The Armstrong Tennis Center (ATC) in Hampden, Maine, recently hosted the 3rd Annual Lady Sienna Pickleball Classic, a charitable event benefiting Lint Rollers and Lemonade Foundation.
Inspired by Sienna White Probert and her mother, Sharyl White, the event commemorates Sienna’s passion for pickleball and raises funds to support children grappling with serious illnesses.
George Ouellette, pickleball director at the ATC, commended the event’s success: “To see the outpouring of people come and support and give and give and give is phenomenal. The way that they give back, $35,000 in the last three years is what they’ve raised playing pickleball, is phenomenal. One hundred percent of the money goes out. You give one dollar; one dollar goes out. That’s what makes it so good.”
Dean Armstrong, the facility’s owner and a dedicated supporter of Lint Rollers and Lemonade, lauded the event’s organization and pledged his continued support: “I think the event is perfectly done, and I couldn’t say enough about what the girls do. It’s just phenomenal. What they do here every year, and I’ll host it as long as they want it.”
Accompanied by the affectionate pup Jade, participants enjoyed an evening of spirited games, raffles, and refreshments.
Wichita, Kansas
The Chicken N Pickle in Wichita, Kansas, buzzed with activity on Saturday morning as players gathered for a poignant pickleball fundraising event. Reflecting on her childhood memories, Jessica Viramontez expressed the significance of the National Baseball Congress Tournament (NBC) in Wichita.
“I grew up going to the NBC. My brother played in the NBC, which is something that I did as a child and middle school and high school, so growing up in Wichita, everyone knows what the NBC is, and that’s what you did in the summer,” she said.
National Baseball Congress Tournament Director Katie Woods said pickleball has taken off so quickly, and she thought this would be the perfect fundraising event.
Woods said, “To have 90 years of an event in one city running 90 years, I think we’re one of the largest running sports events in the entire country and maybe in the world, quite honestly, and so we’re just really excited to be able to celebrate that here in Wichita.”
Casey Lippoldt, Head Coach of the Hutchinson Monarchs, reflected on their triumphs and challenges, emphasizing the resilience required in their journey: “When we started the season, we were supposed to have 18 pitchers on our roster, and when the season started, we had eight and so that was a challenge from the get-go go so one of the toughest things was figuring out who could do what.”
Proceeds from Sunday’s event will nurture the next generation of baseball players through various developmental programs and events.
