Pickleball: ‘My New Year Resolutions’

There is something in the air. That sense of anticipation, some trepidation of uncertainty, and maybe… It’s just another day. 2025 is just waiting for signs of possible changes from me…

To my pickleball partners, I resolve to place nothing else before pickleball. I will clear my schedule of golf, Mah Jong, hiking, shopping, friends and family and be available on demand when you need a fourth, or a sub. I will treat the game just as significantly as you do and not just saunter onto the court and asking, “What’s the score again?”

To my non-pickleball friends, I resolve to provide you with ample warning if and when pickleball calls. I will honor all traditional holidays, birthdays, wedding anniversaries and not agree to play during those somewhat important times. I will not spend time trying to reserve 9 a.m. court time, loudly complaining about unreliable partners or how badly someone behaved at the courts.

To the local EMT and fire station, I resolve to not do the things that everyone has warned us in pickleball (google it). I resolve to be honest and actually have a game with players at my level; the Tuesday afternoon group is really way out of my league. I also resolve to plan ahead and having to avoid running across the street frantically to the clubhouse.

And lastly, to the game, I resolve to warm up before every game and actually spend dedicated time practicing on my long list of weaknesses/gap. I resolve to take the game seriously, to learn to play it respectfully and with dedication. As much as I enjoy the social part of playing, there is that part of me that envies how others are improving.