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SEP 2021

What's happening in the Wichita area this month?
Connect with other Wichita area players on Facebook!
Hello, picklers! The newsletter is back to inform you of what's coming up in September, including the very exciting launch of Major League Pickleball (read on for more on this topic). It is a great time to be part of this rapidly growing sport!
MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL
Major League Pickleball (MLP) is officially a thing. In fact, the website is live. Here's what we know:
  • MLP will consist of 32 professional pickleball players -- 16 men and 16 women.
  • There will be 8 teams consisting of 4 players on their roster -- 2 men and 2 women.
  • Tuesday, September 21, is the official launch date.
  • The first ever live-streamed professional pickleball draft will take place at the PPA Texas Open in Rockwall Texas on Thursday, September 30.
  • The first MLP competition event will be held November 5-8 at Dreamland in Dripping Springs, TX.
  • The MLP team owners are an incredible array of people who love pickleball:
    • Eric Kuo and Mike Meldman
    • John Raymond and Jim Toth
    • Wes Hurt, Tim Berry and Navdeep Sooch
    • Brené Brown, Steve Alley, and Charles Kiley
    • James Blake and Marc Lasry
    • Ritchie Tuazon
    • Charles Attal and Charlie Walker
    • Bryan Sheffield and Tim Klitch
I can't wait to see MLP develop and which players will belong to which teams but the fan girl in me is most excited about all team gear because that what you do to show your support for the teams and players you love, right? Stay tuned.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MONTH
  • Many of our friends are competing in the Kansas Senior Games in Topeka on September 10-11.
  • Also that same weekend, the Light Up Edgemoor team is hosting another Bob Jackson Friendship Tournament. Contact Gregg Smith at vballref@cox.net to learn more or sign up for this event.
  • Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas is hosting a pickleball tournament at Chicken N Pickle on Saturday, September 18.
  • For those new to pickleball and not quite ready for tournaments, Nahola has an Intro to Pickleball session on Saturday, September 18. Call Nahola at 316-295-2102 to sign up.
  • Newbie Night at Chicken N Pickle is another event that's perfect for beginners. The next one is on Tuesday, September 21.
  • Senior Services of Wichita is hosting its first Picklepalooza event which kicks off at Seneca Park on Saturday, September 18. Festivities continue throughout the week culminating in a celebration party at the Wichita Country Club on Saturday, September 25.
  • The ICT Fall-out Tournament takes place September 25-26 at the Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center.
FEATURED PRO: PATRICK SMITH
Check out this episode of the Eddie and Webby podcast for everything you ever wanted to know about the handsome German half of #TeamModel #TeamEurope -- our very own, Patrick Smith.
TIPS AND STRATEGY
I was at a tournament recently where I got lobbed. Granted, this wasn't as challenging because it was a lob from the baseline on the third short, rather than a lob from the non-volley zone (NVZ) line, but I was proud of how I handled the situation. Best case scenario on lobs is that you're able to respond with an overhead smash. If you cannot, you typically have three options: (1) drive it, (2) lob it back, or (3) play a drop shot. Here's why I chose the third option:
  • Driving didn't seem like a good option because both players on the other team were planted at the NVZ line and, not being good at driving the ball, I imagine that me and my partner would get punished if I drove the ball.
  • Lobbing isn't a good option because when you lob from the baseline the other team has so much time to prepare and, unless you float the ball really high and deep, it's likely to get smashed back at you or your partner. 
  • Playing a drop shot (or long dink) made the most sense because (a) the other team wouldn't be able to attack us, (b) it would buy me time to get back in position at the NVZ line, and (c) it's what Chris Heck taught me to do. If there's one thing that goes on in my brain when making decisions during play it is, "What would Chris Heck do?" LOL.  
  • The fourth reason I chose to drop the ball is because, of the three options (drive, lob or drop), the drop is the shot that I could execute most consistently compared to the others. I don't know how to lob and my drives suck. When you're in a bind, it's always best to go with the shot that you are most comfortable with because you're less likely to mess it up.
In an ideal situation, you'd be able to hit a nice overhead smash rather than chasing the ball down and waiting for it to bounce first. If you find yourself in the best case scenario, punish the other team with a killer smash so they think twice about lobbing you again. Here's an excellent video from Mark Renneson with Third Shot Sport on how to boost your smash:
Watch this video from Mark Renneson with Third Shot Sports to make your overhead more smashing.
See what I did there? In case you missed it, that was a pun.

That’s all the news we have this month. Have a safe and fun-filled Labor Day weekend!

If you have information that you would like shared with the Wichita Pickleball community, please post it directly in our Facebook group or email Ching to include your article in the October 2021 update.

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Wichita Pickleball · 1240 N Greenwich Rd · Wichita, KS 67206-2665 · USA

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