This will be another short one.  I got my daughter graduating on Sunday, trying to plan an apartment search trip to the Philadelphia area, and pollen stabbing my eyes with burning pitchforks have me a little sidetracked.  I kind of miss the old days were I would go through a box of tissues in a day.  Now it is pretty much just burning, itching eyes.  I sneeze very little anymore.  The body is an amazing but weird instrument.  Let's load up in our hermetically sealed craft and take off to explore the Pickleverse.

1. C3 Sports - C3 Sports will not be open for pickleball on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.  The SignUpGenius has been adjusted to reflect that.

2. Grantsville, MD Tournament - On June 28 and 29 there will be a tournament in Grantsville, MD.  Grantsville is just a little bit across the PA/MD border.  If you played in either of the Johnstown tournaments, it would be just a bit further drive south on Route 219.  If you have a bike, take it along and you can ride part of the Great Allegheny Passage at Meyersdale, PA which is right along Route 219.  The flyer for the tournament is attached below.  They will try to have the usual skill brackets and run two age groups of 49 and under and 50 and over.  Check it out.

3. Thank You - Many thanks to Mark B. and others that take the time to go over and check the conditions of the Bernel Road Park courts after a recent rain event.

4. Great Cycle Challenge - A big thank you to those that have donated.  A couple weeks ago I put out a challenge that if my fundraising climbed to $500 before May 1, I would bump up my pledged mileage to 500 miles in September.  It took less than 4 hours to hit that mark and climb past it.  I am currently sitting at about the 1/2 way point. of my fundraising goal of $1500.  The training rides have been going well.  I knocked off a 40 mile ride yesterday and was able to get out of bed and play pickleball today so I am feeling fairly confident about being able to hit my mileage pledge.  If you would like to donate, here is the link or you can click on the image under my signature.  Great Cycle Challenge:  https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/RandyHoffman

5. Edge Tape - Absolutely love my edgeless paddle; however, being a paddle is a hard life.  Between paddle to paddle crashes on shots down the middle or scraping the ground on half volley the edge gtet chipped and scratched.  I put edge tape on my paddle and it has been a lifesaver.  I have a photo below of what it looks like.  I have not noticed any weight difference or alteration to my swing.  What paddles cost, I strongly urge folks getting or having edgeless paddles to put some edge tape on.

6. Tip Of The Week - Perhaps it has just been the run of partners I have played with recently, but I have seen a lot of 2 or 3 steps forward after I serve only to see them have to back track those steps and more at times.  Opponents are getting better at noticing little habits we have and know how to take advantage of missteps.  Probably the one Tip Of The Week I see most often being put into effect is the high arcing return to the baseline to keep the serving side back and allow more time for that player to get to the net without having to take a shot in the transition zone.   When you are having to move backwards to field a shot, you are at a disadvantage.  You know who is receiving the serve.  What kind of return do they like to send back?  What kind of serve did my partner send them?  There are a ton of things to consider.  Find what feels like a good spot, I like to be just behind the baseline, and claim that spot.  Have a good athletic posture and be prepared to move.  If the ball goes to the server, that is your green light to start your assault on the NVZ.   So after your partner serves, be like William Wallace and "hold, hold" (a Braveheart reference).  

The links for indoor play are below.  Have a great week and I hope to see you on the court soon!  Peace

The Centre:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BA5AA28AB9-56814799-nvsc

C3 Sports:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BA5AA28AB9-56814791-c3pickleball

Randy Hoffman

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