America’s fastest-growing sport with the silly name — pickleball — continues to lure new players onto courts in droves.
Hannibal Parks & Recreation is offering a way to enjoy pickleball indoors this fall. Drop-in Pickleball, which will be offered Tuesday evenings at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center.
Drop-In Pickleball will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and Nov. 12, 19, 26. Each participant must pay $5 per night.
Drop-In Pickleball allows players to “drop in” and play games. Courts will be designated for competitive, intermediate and leisure players. Four players start on a court; when a game is complete, the winners will remain on the court and separate. The losers will go to the bench. Two new players from the bench will join the new game. This system allows people to play with new partners.
Emily Hultgren, recreation supervisor with Hannibal Parks & Recreation, said “Drop-in Play is a great way to work on your pickleball skills and meet new players!”
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong using a paddle and plastic ball with holes. It is a game that is appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels. Rules for pickleball are simple, making it an ideal introductory sport.
Portable pickleball courts are used at the Rec Center, there can be up to four courts at a time. There will be a pickleball league formed in January, 2025. There are six designated pickleball courts at Huckleberry Park.
More information about Drop-In Pickleball is available by calling 573-221-0154 or by visiting www.hannibalparks.org