If there was ever definitive proof pickleball had become firmly ingrained in the American psyche, proof arrived with the news that a Congressional Pickleball Caucus was formed last May.
Not Lip Service
It’s not just lip service either, as they play every Wednesday morning on the top floor of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington D.C.
Republican Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito emphasizes the importance of engaging with individuals early: “Gotta catch people in the morning. The day starts quick and goes late.”
The Future Of This Burgeoning Sport
Earlier this week, the caucus convened local professionals and leaders involved in the sport to engage in play and discussions concerning the future of this burgeoning sport.
Capito, in her approach, endeavors to keep the burdens of governance separate from the pickleball court, regarding the rapidly growing sport as a means of personal release and a platform for fostering relationships that transcend political divides and legislative chambers.
She aptly notes, “With the modern-day Senate, there are not that many opportunities for people just to get to know each other.”
Thom Tillis, the Republican Senator for North Carolina, echoed this sentiment, expressing his view to POLITICO during breaks in the matches:
“We’re already a naturally competitive body here, but it’d be fun to have that competition in pickleball and not constantly the fight for an ideological end.”
Looking forward to the next meeting of the Senate Pickleball Caucus! pic.twitter.com/jm0XXSKkAq
— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) September 19, 2023
D.C. Pickleball
Senators Capito and Tillis, along with Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat; New York), Cynthia Lummis (Republican; Wyoming), and Representative Sara Jacobs (Democrat; California), formed doubles partnerships for one game with four professionals from the D.C. Pickleball Team, the most recent addition to Major League Pickleball.
Capito received valuable tips on refining her serve technique from the seasoned professional Riley Newman and was enthusiastic about incorporating them into her game.
From seasoned regulars like Capito to first-timers like Lummis, “Lawmakers” held their own on the court against D.C., with Lummis swiftly getting the hang of it within just an hour.
Indeed, advocates for the sport often discuss the accessible entry point and its broad intergenerational appeal as pivotal factors contributing to pickleball’s expanding popularity.
Matching Shirts!
Jacobs, akin to numerous Americans, took up pickleball during the pandemic as a means of safely enjoying outdoor activities with her family.
In her family, her mother assumes the role of the primary pickleball enthusiast and even coordinates matching shirts for the entire family.
When asked about the level of competition within the Jacobs family on the court, Jacobs jovially responded, “OMG, so competitive.”
She now intends to leverage her newfound proficiency and understanding of the game in her forthcoming match against her mother.
Permanent Markings
The Congressional Pickleball Caucus is actively working to enhance their experience by advocating for permanent markings on the multipurpose tennis and basketball court where they convene.
Tillis mentioned ongoing discussions with the Senate Rules Committee, which notably includes Capito as a member, regarding the possibility of finally doing away with the current temporary tape used to demarcate the pickleball lines.
