Life is funny.  I can go 2 months or more without every being in the situation where a handshake is the expected norm.  The week after I have trigger release surgery on my right hand, I have 6 occasions where a hand is offered up to me.  All situations were handled with courtesy and hygiene in mind.  Some stuff to cover so I will dispense with further chit chat and blast off to the Pickleverse, all gas, no brake.

1. Last Call #1 - The One Day Fun Day Tournament in Tyrone will close registrations on July 28.  By my count, we have the MINIMUM number of teams to compete for the team championship but it would help our effort if we have a couple more teams to strengthen the chance to keep the trophy in Centre County.  Tyrone is building a pretty strong team and I am not as familiar with which players associate with the Blair County Team.  If you want to jump in, click here for the registration page in Pickleball Den.

2. Last Call #2 - The Johnstown YMCA Dogwood Pickleball Tournament will close registrations on July 29.  Looking at current registrations, their biggest need is for men's and women's doubles on Saturday the 2nd (same as the One Day Fun Day event) if you are 50+ in mixed doubles, all 3 brackets could use more bodies on Sunday the 3rd.

3. Good Luck - Good Luck to Mark B. in his travels and participation in a 50+ singles tournament on Sunday the 27th down in Hershey.  May his victories be sweet.

4. Pickleball Paddle Palooza Tournament - The PPPT is set to go.  This is the first attempt by the Center for Alternatives in Community Justice in running a tournament as a fundraiser.  I have been working with some of the organizers and they are long on enthusiasm but short on experience.  So if you are playing in this event I would hope that you are patient and demonstrate grace in any hiccups which might, but hopefully won't, occur. I will be there as a co-emcee/troubleshooter. Even if you are not playing, you can get in on the action.  They have 15 nice silent auction items.  The items are listed below.  So if you see something you like, swing by and put in a bid.

5. C3 Sports - Due to set up for Tuesday's tournament, the courts will be offline on MONDAY while they put down NEW LINES!  By the way, if you are playing in the PPPT I would suggest getting a group together and reserving one of the private courts at 9 AM, 11 AM, or 1 PM to get used to the courts and the lighting.  Every venue is different and if you have not played there in some time it would be good to get some court time in.  With the tight timeline for the tournament, I'm not sure how much warm up time will be allotted.

6. State College YMCA - The Y will be offering 2 beginner and one intermediate clinics in August.  For more information click here:  State College Y Clinics

7. Affiliations - On Thursday at Bernel the courts were quickly filling up and there were two courts that were were not engaged in doubles play.  One was a drill session and the other was 2 private party players waiting for their other 2 players.  Short story - the drill session folks were cool with the kick in of the rotation and possible paddle saddle that would soon occur.  One player on the "private" court - not so much. Basically we (me mainly maybe) were accused of being from the Centre and running come kind of flash mob take over of the courts.  Embarrassed to say this person did get under my skin a bit and I did fall back into my "cop" voice for a moment.  Eventually the other 3 players (who were much more open to discussing the posted rules) decided their preferred option to joining the court rotation was to go to the tennis courts and use one of those pickleball courts.  Their friend agreed.  Peace reigned over the land again.  So that as a long bit to get to this.  I do not have any paid or official capacity at either The Centre or C3 Sports.  I serve solely in an advisory role.  The Bernel Briners (created by me via TeamReach) is an informal method of communicating and coordinating play for player in the area.  Bernel Road Park Courts are public courts owned by Patton Township and managed by Centre Parks and Recreation.  The Bernel Briners do not hold any special privilege to those courts.  The posted rules for play apply fully and equally to all players.  I can't think of any of the regular players that feel they have any special access to the courts but this I guess is just one of those disclaimers that I should put out every now and then.  One of the aspects of the drop-in groups at Bernel and The Centre has been that they are so welcoming and friendly all newcomers.  I love when I meet a new player or an out of town visitor and they tell me how everyone made them feel welcome.  I thank you for that.

8. Tip Of The Week - this is one I am experimenting with so take it with a grain of salt.  When I am at the NVZ line (kitchen for newbies) I tend to have the paddle up around chest high in my ready position.  A video I watched the instructor pitched holding the paddle out away from your body more.  When I get my mind in the game and not being the kid in right field picking flowers, and do this it has been positive in cutting down the number of shots I am netting and sends the ball back at my opponents a tad quicker.  I will do a follow up in the future as how this change goes for me.  BTW - the two bad habits that I could write about every week are the following:  running and hitting the ball while running when you don't need to and secondly trying to hit winners on every shot.
   
   

The signups for indoor play are below.  Have a great week and I hope to see you on the courts soon.

C3 Sports:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BA5AA28AB9-57676038-c3pickleball

The Centre:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BA5AA28AB9-57676041-nvsc

Randy Hoffman

Please consider donating.

2025 Pickle Palooza Silent Auction List
C3 Sports
August 29, 2025
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The Nittany Quill – $65 Value
Summer themed stationary, cards, and pens

Yoga with Joann Dornich – $100 Value
Yoga Mat and Certificate for a Yoga and BreathWork Session

Rapid Transit – $75 Value
Gift Card for Shoes and Sports Apparel

Rapid Transit – $75 Value
Gift Card for Shoes and Sports Apparel

Texas Roadhouse – $75 Value
Gift Basket with peanuts, steak sauce, seasoning, and gift card

Selkirk Pickleball Starter Bundle – $100 Value
Pickleball Starter Bundle with two paddles, three balls, and one zippered carry bag

Kitchen Kaboodle – $25 Value
Gift Card for Kitchen and Dining Ware

Downtown State College Improvement District – $50 Value
Gift Card that can be used at a plethora of downtown businesses & a 3-hour parking voucher

Webster’s Bookstore and Café – $65 Value
$50 Gift Certificate for Bookstore and Café & The Blue Bar by Damyanti Biswas

Trek Bicycle State College – $100 Value
Gift Basket with one Large Men’s t-shirt, one Large Women’s t-shirt, bike peddles, bike lock, reusable water bottle, liquid energy pack, and reusable bag  

Nature’s Pantry Gift Basket – $100 Value
Hand Woven Grass Basket with a variety of organic snacks and candies

Selfcare Basket – $50 Value
Basket with bubble bath, tea infuser, dreamcatcher, totebag, and chocolate

Pretty Spa Studio Facial – $80 Value
“The Pretty Facial” A customized and personalized 60 minute facial with Kiyah Raine

Jewelry Basket – $75 Value
Basket with pride bracelet, pinch me therapy dough, locket, Jabibo Dragonfly earrings, and jewelry tray

Beach Day Basket – $50 Value
Jumbo Chalk, Bubble Pinwheel, and Tiger Launchers