Adventures in Life

NO ROCKING CHAIRS NEEDED

Hank Palmer

7 August 2013

Its July 26, 2013. Im riding the Rapid Transit Authority train from Hopkins
International Airport to downtown Cleveland, having just flown in from Fresno. Sitting
across the aisle is a very large, craggy-faced, gray-haired gentleman, probably 6 feet, 8
inches tall, dressed in a T-shirt, shorts, and gym shoes.
I ask, Are you here for the National Senior Games?
He nods.
Very astutely, I continue, Basketball?
He replies, Yep. Im from Arkansas, but Im here to join some buddies from
California who played ball with me in college. I flew out there last year to qualify
for the Games.
How do you stay in shape?
Oh, I play 3-4 times a week at the Y with young guys. You playing?
Yeah, I say, Pickleball.
He looks puzzled, then asks, Whats that?
This is an excellent question which, it turns out, I will be answering numerous times
during the next week in Cleveland.
The National Senior Games is a competition for men and women over 50 in 19
sports. Its held every two years at different locations around the United States.
Participants must qualify at one of the 50 State Games during the previous year.
Competition is divided into five-year age divisions, starting at 50+ and ending at 100+.
Sports are:
Archery
Badminton
Bowling
Cycling
Golf
Horseshoes
Pickleball
Race Walk
Racquetball
Road Race
Shuffleboard
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track and Field
Triathlon
Basketball
Softball
Volleyball
The Senior Games was first held in St. Louis in 1987, for 2,500 athletes in 15
sports. Participation increased steadily until 2001, when more stringent qualifying
standards were implemented. For the Cleveland Games in 2013, there were over
11,000 athletes and an estimated 25,000 spectators. All 50 states were represented,
with California having the most athletes (516) and North Dakota the fewest (5).
The Games are run by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA), a
recognized multi-sport organization of the United States Olympic Committee dedicated
to promoting healthy and active lifestyles for athletes age 50 and over.
Pickleball was added this year the first new sport in 20 years. There were 370
men and women entered in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in Cleveland. Many of
these were entered in more than one event.
So, what is pickleball? A tennis-like game in which a hollow plastic ball with
holes is hit over a tennis-height net, using oversized ping pong-like paddles. The court,
utilized for both singles and doubles, is 5 feet longer and 7 feet narrower than half of a
singles tennis court. The ball may be struck after one or no bounces (volleyed). Serves
are underhand, with points scored only when serving. Games are to 11 points, win by
2. A match is best of three games. The double-elimination format is used in
tournaments.

Adventures in Life
NO ROCKING CHAIRS NEEDED
Hank Palmer 7 August 2013

The construction of the ball slows its flight, so

that hard hits can often be returned, leading to long
rallies. A variety of shots is employed: lobs, groundstrokes, overhead smashes, dinks (barely over the net),
topspin, sidespin, backspin, forehands, backhands,
slow and fast, crosscourt, down-the-line, Mildred
(down-the-middle), angled, at the feet, at the body. Its
a crazy, quick, quirky, fun game that leads to lots of
laughing. Simple to start but difficult to master. Old
people can play with young, men with women. Easy
on the body but providing a good workout.

page 2

Pickleball originated during the summer of 1965 on

Bainbridge Island, WA. Three neighbors devised the
game for their families to play, starting with a whiffle
ball and home-made plywood racquets. With no
thought of commercialization, they developed rules
and equipment by trial-and-error as a social game
where everybody comes off smiling. Joan Pritchard,
wife of one of the founders, came up with the unusual
name because it reminded her of the Pickle Boat in
crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers
of other boats. The popular story is that name came
from the family cocker spaniel Pickles who would
chase errant balls. However, Joan says that the dog
was acquired in 1967 and named after the sport.

Pickleball is becoming the rage in retirement communities. Many tennis courts

have been converted to two pickleball courts. Dedicated, single-use pickleball courts
are being constructed. I asked Ken Walts, a retired tennis pro (for many years Director
of Tennis and Manager at Fig Garden Swim & Racquet Club in Fresno) who is now a
pickleball addict, how many courts there are in his hometown of Buckeye, AZ. He
thought for a moment, then replied, 97.
Pickleball competition in Cleveland was held at the new Convention Center in a
separate, large hall with 15 courts and bleachers for spectators. Once in the hall, I felt
engulfed in an intimate cradle of pickleball. Paddles smacking balls. People milling
about, watching matches, clapping and cheering, studying the draws and results. Old
friends from around the nation greeting each other with hugs and banter. A loud P.A.
system directing players and referees to courts.
I wondered how Id ever find my mixed doubles partner, Jean Kiker. Wed
exchanged emails and talked by phone, but never met. Shes an experienced player,
qualifying for the National Games by winning the womens singles and doubles in
Florida, a hotbed of pickleball. Originally from England, Jean played tennis at
Wimbledon as a junior. I discovered that she had checked in. She was somewhere in
the crowd.
Hi! You must be Hank, tall, white-haired, and sunburned, just like your photo.
Im Jean. She was petite, beautiful, and athletic looking, with a slightly detectable
British accent. I later learned she was also a fierce competitor and a skilled shot-maker.
Jean had visited the U.S.A. Pickleball Association website and done a thorough
background check on me. I immediately realized my good fortune in having hooked up
with such a wonderful partner. We hit some balls for practice. Jean was every bit as
good as I had hoped.
Jeans competition in the 75+ womens doubles was the next day, Sunday July
28. She and Judy Lang from Tennessee lost their 2 nd match in the main draw, then
fought their way back through the consolation draw into the finals, winning the silver
medal (2nd place).
On Monday, Frank Benneyan from Fresno and I battled our way through the
main draw and consolation in the 75+ mens doubles to earn the bronze medal (3 rd
place). Frank later also won bronze in mens 75+ singles.

Adventures in Life
NO ROCKING CHAIRS NEEDED
Hank Palmer 7 August 2013

page 3

Tuesday was the womens 75+ singles. Lola Benneyan, Franks wife, won gold,
beating Jean twice in close matches. Jean got silver again.
Lola is amazing. Four weeks before Cleveland, she went to the hospital after
experiencing severe chest pains. She was diagnosed with 95% blockage of a heart
vessel. Fortunately, there was no damage to the heart. A stent was inserted. She went
home the next day, withdrew her entries to the Games, and did not play pickleball for
two weeks. Then she resumed her normal level of activity: playing five days a week for
the two weeks prior to Cleveland, two to three hours per day, with no symptoms. She
soon returned to the form that had won her multiple national championships. The
doctor had advised Lola not to compete in any tournaments because of the extra stress.
Lolas response was, Nuts to that! I play just as hard for practice and fun as I do in a
tournament. At Cleveland, she charmed the tournament director into putting her back
into the singles draw. She had no chance to re-enter the doubles, since her partners in
the mixed (husband Frank) and womens had found replacements.
Lola is not alone in her determination to compete in the game she loves:
Dominick Greco of Plano, TX passed out during practice prior to the Games.
He was rushed to the hospital, where he spent the night. The next day he
played in 80+ mens doubles, winning the silver medal. Two days later, he
lost to Jean and me in the 75+ mixed doubles, but then won twice in
consolation before being eliminated. He told me, No big deal. I got this
nerve in my back that acted up when I bent to pick up a ball. Happens all the
time. Im fine now. He confessed to being a pickleball addict, driving around
the country in his motor home looking for action.
Also during practice, another man crashed into one of the substantial
concrete pillars, knocking him unconscious and requiring multiple stitches.
He was back on court the next day, looking like Frankensteins monster.
Within the past year, Fresnan Dennis Bell, a retired paramedic from the fire
department, underwent chemotherapy for leukemia, then cracked his ribs in a
motorcycle accident. Hes been playing again for several months.
I had a pacemaker installed in May 2012. My cardiologist advised no
strenuous exercise for a couple of months while the scar tissue solidified the
wiring to my heart. I said, What about pickleball? He asked, What is that?
I said, Its similar to shuffleboard. He said, OK. I left his office and went
immediately to the court.
Jean wears a brace on her left knee. During her singles match with Lola, she
hurt the hamstring in her right leg, then a groin muscle. Despite the resulting
pain and limited mobility, she never considered withdrawing from competition.
Pickleballers are unique. Tournament outfits include many-splendored T-shirts;
one pictured a sourpuss cat saying, I had fun once. It was awful. A womens doubles
duo wore jerseys of the Tanzanian national soccer team. Louisianans had Agin Cajun
uniforms. Multi-colored Bermuda and cargo shorts were common. Several wore blue
jeans. None of these would have been acceptable at Wimbledon.
Competition was fierce during matches, but high jinks, banter, and giggling
abounded. When Alice Dodgson from Norton Shores, MI broke her paddle during our

Adventures in Life
NO ROCKING CHAIRS NEEDED
Hank Palmer 7 August 2013

page 4

mixed doubles match, I informed her that shed have to play barehanded. She faked a
glare, then stuck out her tongue, grinned, and swatted me on the butt with her
replacement paddle. Since Jean and I were ahead in the game, Alices partner, John
Dehoog from Muskegon, MI, remarked, Hey, what difference does it make? Were
already up the creek without a paddle. During the mixed finals, the game ball was
smacked off court onto an ascending escalator. I chased and grabbed it, only to realize
I couldnt get back down. So I smiled and waved to the cheering crowd as I rode to the
top. Since there was no descending escalator, I found an elevator and sneaked back to
the arena, suddenly emerging from behind the bleachers, triumphantly holding aloft the
wayward ball before decorously handing it to the referee. The spectators went wild.
Our 75+ mixed doubles was great. We started at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and
finished at 3:30 p.m. Jean and I won twice, then lost a close match to the eventual gold
medal-winning team, Gail Brown from Florida and Jim Maynard from Providence, RI.
We dropped into consolation and clawed our way back for a return bout with them in the
finals. Despite her painful legs, Jean pulled off some fantastic shots. However, Gail
and Jim played magnificently, kicking our butts. We settled for silver.
I didnt get around to watching any of the other sports, but I did learn that Jack
Behmer of Des Moines, IA won gold in the 80+ shuffleboard competition. His formula
for success: Pray hard and get lucky. Also, in bowling, Verna Owen of Spring Lake,
NC got gold medals in 100+ womens singles and 85+ womens doubles, stating, I just
love bowling. It gives me exercise and makes me feel good to be with friends.
Cleveland was abuzz with the Games. Banners hung on streets and buildings.
Old codgers wearing athletic gear and sporting their medals wandered around
downtown, interacting with the locals (many of whom were attired in Cleveland Indians
caps, T-shirts, and jerseys), and answering questions like What are the Senior
Games? Where are you from? and What in the devil is pickleball?
The theme song for the Games was not, but perhaps should be, a George Jones
country and western favorite:
I dont need your rockin chair
Your Geritol or your Medicare.
This gray hair dont mean a thang
I still got some fire in my veins.
I aint ready for the junkyard yet.
I still feel like a new Corvette.
My bodys old but it aint impaired.
I might take a lil longer but I still get there.
I dont need no rockin chair.
I Dont Need Your Rocking Chair
Song by Frank Dycus, KerryKurt Phillips, and Billy Yates

According to the USA Pickleball

Association, it is our countrys
fastest growing sport, with an
estimated 100,000 active players.
Those interested may contact John
Browning of Fowler, USAPA
Ambassador
for
Central
California, at (559) 834-2688 or
jbsb59@comcast.net.