Open Play rules a smash for pickleball players

The pickleball game was over and the players stepped up to the net, tapped their rackets together and thanked each other for a great game.

“I love the rotation,” said player Nancy Jager as she stepped off the court and new players moved in for Open Play on the Laketown Township pickleball courts on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.

“More people can play without waiting,” said Laurie Schmitt, removing her sunglasses to take a break from play.

And everyone is friendly – the laughter and respect were evident.

“The Tuesday and Thursday morning Open Play has been a great way to meet some new people at a variety of skill levels while getting in some exercise. Everyone has been accepting and it is a fun, relaxed atmosphere to play in,” Jager added.

Successful first season

Laketown’s Open Play pickleball rules, in effect for more than 4 months, have been a success, according to players and organizers.

“Open Play has been received very well. I think the two days are just enough for Laketown and the two courts,” said Pauline Rypma, a driving force behind getting the Open Play hours established in March.

Up to 12 players a week participate, she wrote in a July mid-summer report to the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

“As expected, some people try to get there every Tuesday and Thursday and a few people just drop in when they have the time,” she said.

Rypma doesn’t foresee any changes in the system for next year, “unless there are suggestions from the community,” she added.

The parks commission agreed to review the Open Play rules at the end of the season.

The Laketown courts opened in 2021. They are free and open to everyone. Parking is at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

About open play

Open Play is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The township installed a sign at the courts in April explaining the rules.

Open Play, also known as Drop-In Play, is a doubles game. After the two teams finish their game, the two partners from the winning team stay on the court but split, one on each new team. Two new players come on, one with each of the previous winners, and a new game begins.

The defeated players exit the court and “rack their paddles,” placing their paddles in line for the new game.

After two consecutive games, a player must rack their paddle.

The three-hour blocks on Tuesdays and Thursdays are for Open Play, and people who show up can be rotated in.

The play is self-regulated.

Players can use the TeamReach app to check play times, names of players, chat and see who signed up. The password is “Laketown” to join.