Max Ade during a recent pickleball game. Photo by Eraldo Nudo

Brandon Mackie during a recent pickleball game. Photo by Eraldo Nudo

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Pickleball is growing in popularity across the country and Los Alamos is getting in on the hype.

Los Alamos resident and Pickleheads co-Founder Brandon Mackie said 36.5 million people across the U.S. play the game, earning it the sport with the biggest participation numbers.

Even more noteworthy, Mackie said pickleball’s popularity occurred suddenly.

“The sport came out of nowhere to be the biggest sport in the country, which is awesome,” he said.

The local pickleball scene also has taken off.

Mackie said Albuquerque ranks in the top 10 cities in the U.S. for interest in the sport and “on the local level, there is just a thriving community.”

For instance, the Facebook group, Los Alamos Pickleball, has almost 200 members and when pickleball games are held – whether it is held at the Los Alamos Family YMCA, the tennis courts on North Mesa, Myrtle Street or at Pinon Park in White Rock – usually between 10-20 people show up to play. Pickleball enthusiasts can also join Mackie’s group, Pickleheads. Go to https://www.pickleheads.com/ for more information.

The great thing about pickleball, Mackie said, is that it is easy to organize so games can be held whenever it is convenient. However, regular play times are 2-4 p.m. Sundays in the YMCA basketball court.

So, how is pickleball played?

Mackie described pickleball as a mashup of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. It is played on a court that resembles a tennis court, but the net is lower, and the court size is smaller. Players use paddles to hit a wiffle-like ball back and forth across the net. Points are scored if the opponent allows the ball to hit the net or allows it to go outside the court or fails to return the ball. Another way to gain points is if the opponent steps into the “kitchen,” Mackie said. The “kitchen” is a 7-foot area around the net that players cannot enter.

This sport is appealing to people for a couple of reasons,” Mackie said.

“Two big things,” he said, “first, is just how easy the sport is to learn … and the second aspect is the social nature of the sport … I think it is a big social outlet for people.”

As far as Mackie’s own experience with the game, he explained he has been a competitive tennis player his whole life. A friend introduced Mackie to pickleball and when the pandemic hit, he turned to pickleball to help cope with the nationwide lockdown.

“Pickleball was my outlet,” Mackie said. “It was a big part of my identity. I’ve been playing more and more since the pandemic ran its course.”

Mackie isn’t the only one who is attracted to pickleball; the game is getting more youthful. Traditionally, the sport was popular with seniors, but more are realizing pickleball is a young man’s game, too.

The average age for players, Mackie said, is younger than age 40.

“The young folks are getting excited (about it) and driving the sport forward, which is fun to see,” he said.

Los Alamos County is aware of the growing popularity of pickleball and is taking measures to enhance the local facilities for the sport.

Community Services Department Park Superintendent Wendy Parker said that a resurfacing project at eight tennis courts and two pickleball courts will occur in June. The project begins June 1 and is anticipated to be completed by June 30.

The courts, she said, include:

• Barranca Mesa Park Tennis Courts (3)
• Rover Park Tennis Courts (2)
• Piñon Park Tennis Courts (3)
• Myrtle Street Pickleball Courts (2)

“As the project date approaches, we will provide a more detailed court schedule and alternate locations to play,” Parker said. “Signs will also be posted at the courts one week before resurfacing begins and the courts will remain closed for 7-10 days after resurfacing to allow the product to cure. Players can visit the County’s Parks web page for information about Los Alamos County tennis courts, where they are located, and to reserve a court. Visit the pickleball web page to get plugged in and learn more about where to play.”

Recreation Specialist Katherine Hudspeth noted that the courts are free to anyone; they do not need to be rented out unless for an exclusive use.

“Anyone is welcome to use and start playing at any time, unless there is an existing reservation,” she said. “We do know that the courts are heavily used by pickleballers, but reservations of the courts really don’t play a factor.”

Parker said that tennis and pickleball players are being consulted regarding the resurfacing project and while no new construction is proposed for pickleball, work is underway to convert existing tennis courts into two for pickleball on Myrtle Street.

“We will receive player feedback by the middle of May to discuss what they liked/disliked about the pickleball lines,” she said. “This conversation will be our indicator on the next steps. Myrtle Street Park will be designated as a pickleball facility, with the existing tennis court being converted, allowing two permanent pickleball courts to be placed. North Mesa tennis courts are on the work plan to have pickleball lines painted in the next few weeks. At this time, I am not aware of any designated facilities being built specifically for pickleball. Should the tennis facility proposal move forward, this project would allow future conversation on the realignment of existing tennis courts. The Integrated Master Plan recently approved by County Council will be our roadmap moving forward which identities facility gaps and future needs for the community.”

For more information on where to play pickleball, visit https://www.pickleheads.com/courts/us/new-mexico/los-alamos

Brittany Foster during a recent pickleball game. Photo by Eraldo Nudo