Let's play pickleball

BY LINDA SMITH HANCHARICK
WEST MILFORD — Have you heard about pickleball? It's kind of a cross between tennis and ping pong, and it's one of the fastest growing sports in the country.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, you will find a dedicated group of pickleball players at the West Milford Recreation Center. The group includes every skill level and, depending on the week, people from their mid-20s through their 80s.
Mike Dato, a resident of Pinecliff Lake in West Milford, started playing pickleball in North Carolina, where he lives part time.
"I got addicted to it right away," said Dato, who played paddleball, racquetball and handball in the past.
So he gave a call to Tim Roetman, director of the township's Community Services and Recreation Department, to see if he could get something going in town. Roetman was onboard.
"I give a lot of credit to Mike and Steve (Lavorgna) for getting this going," said Roetman. "I had heard of the game before but didn't know how popular it was in the surrounding area."
Particularly at the Wayne YMCA. That's where some West Milford players got into the game and where they met Lavorgna, who was instrumental in getting the game going there.
Dato and Lavorgna sat down with Roetman earlier this year to propose it and work out details. In April, the games began at the recreation center on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m.
It was pretty inexpensive to get going too. Roetman said it cost less than $500 to get the nets, some paddles and wiffle balls. Many players come with their own paddles.

'I love it'

Silvia Feldman plays it four days a week, at the Wayne YMCA and here in West Milford.
"It appeals to me because I was a tennis player. Pickleball is not as hard on your body," said Feldman on Tuesday morning before the games began. "There's not as much 'stop and go'. And there's no age limit. Some people in their 80s come to play."
Feldman, a resident of West Milford, said she is happy to see the rec center being used in the daytime too.
"I love it. I play four days a week," said Feldman. "It's a game you can play for hours."
Ed Bogin is a paddleball player who has competed in paddleball tournaments. He can now add pickleball to his tournament resume.
"This is the fastest growing racquet sport in the country," said Bogin. "It's big in the south and it's coming north now."
Bogin teamed with Pat Sherry of Hewitt on Tuesday morning. She started playing in Florida and took to it easily.
Bogin and Dato are pretty serious players. They participate in tournaments throughout the state and are level 3.5 players (on a scale of 1 to 5). Tournaments are age specific, Dato said, and based on skill level; there are singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
But Dato is quick to add that everyone is welcome to play at the rec center, no matter the skill level. As a matter of fact, Sherry said that's how people improve their game by learning from others and playing against better players.
"It's amazing how everyone helps each other out," Dato said. "We teach each other the rules."

Casual schedule

While some players are more competitive and skilled, many are casual and learning. And the two blended well Tuesday morning. Feldman said the games are pick-ups; there's no schedule. People just come and play.
Dato said people float in and out throughout the morning to play. Some come from Sussex County, Wayne, and nearby New York. People interested can just walk in and play, see if they like it. When they do decide they like it, registration is $10 per month or they can sign up for a full year for $90.
"It's really a great game," said Dato. "This is one of the most affordable games to play. Many older people are coming back from shoulder or knee surgery and they can play this. You can play at any age and any physical ability."
He hopes to eventually have enough players so they can have different levels of play.

Learn pickleball

Next Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 9 and 11, starting at 9 a.m., there will be instruction for anyone who wants to learn pickleball. Dato encourages everyone who is curious to come out and see what it's about.
"Come by and try it," Dato said.
The West Milford Recreation Center is located at 66 Cahill Cross Road in West Milford.