Two dozen players turned out to the YMCA today for Batavia's first-ever Pickleball Tournament.
Pickleball was created in Seattle in 1967 and now is the fastest-growing sport for people 50 and older, according to local pickleball "ambassador" Timothy Pickering (a former resident of San Diego who has moved with his wife to Batavia).
Players use paddles to hit a plastic whiffleball-like ball over a net, something like tennis.
Pickering hosts regular games and clinics at the Y.
Chuck Northrup and John Bender won this first tournament.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Photo submitted by Timothy Pickering. Pictured, Ray Burke and Eric Robinson, third place; Chuck Northrup and John Bender, first place; Karen Spiotta and Jason Santere, second place. Pickering, tournament director, is kneeling.
All of the entrants in the tournament. Photo submitted by Timothy Pickering.
