Pickleball Pilot Program Sparks Excitement In Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — The game that has slowly taken over New Jersey now has an official home in Chatham Township.

Township Administrator, Ziad Andrew Shehady, has announced the launch of a brand new "pilot program" for pickleball courts.

In order to meet the communities growing demand for this new sport, the Recreation Department and the Public Works Department decided to repurpose an old basketball court at the back of the upper Colony Pool Club parking lot.

This court is a temporary solution to gauge demand and gather feedback from neighbors in areas that may be impacted by this latest trend.

Beginning this Saturday, July 22nd, at 9 a.m., the court will be open for play on a first-come, first-served basis. The court will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or whenever the Colony Pool Club is open.

If anyone is interested in playing, free paddles and balls are available at the Colony Pool Office. The township requests that all players be courteous to those who wish to participate in the program.

Shehady has asked that any residents who have questions, feedback, or equipment concerns contact Recreation Director Larry McCann at 973-635-4600 x261.

If you've never played pickleball, here's a quick primer for those who are curious.

5 Things You Should Know About Pickleball:

1. It was created in 1965 by three fathers. They were on an island near Seattle and wanted to keep their kids entertained. They discovered an old badminton court and improvised with ping pong paddles, creating simple rules.
2. The game combines tennis, badminton, and ping-pong by requiring players to hit a Wiffle-type ball back and forth over a net. The game begins with an underhand serve.
3. Because the court is smaller than tennis, it's easy for all ages to play, either as doubles or singles. "Because the playing surface is about one-fourth the size of a tennis court," says the L.A. Times," there’s little ground to cover, especially in doubles. The sport is so physically forgiving that it’s unremarkable to see a gray-haired pair put a beating on their teenage grandkids."
4. After a serve, the ball must bounce once on each side of the net. There is a "no man's land" 7 feet from either side of the net, from which you aren't allowed to volley. And a pickleball is lighter than a tennis ball, so it doesn't bounce as high.
5. The rules are uncomplicated. Here's a video for beginners on how to play.