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Pickleball Forms Community in Central New York Pickleball Forms Community in Central New York

By Bailee Tucker

Two men playing pickleball.
© 2024 Bailee Tucker

Bailee: YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO THINK OF A LOT OF WAYS TO SPEND YOUR TUESDAY AFTERNOON. BUT FOR THESE PEOPLE, THERE’S ONLY ONE THING THEY PLAN ON DOING: HITTING THE PICKLEBALL COURT.

ONE OF THEM IS JON COOLEY; HE’S BEEN PLAYING PICKLEBALL FOR 14 YEARS MAKING HIM ONE OF THE BEST AT THE PARK. BUT HE SAYS YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THE BEST TO ENJOY PLAYING.

Jon: “That’s the beauty of pickleball is almost anybody can play. It’s easy to pick up. The ball moves shower than a tennis ball.”

Bailee: COOLEY WORKS WITH CNY PICKLEBALL, A LOCAL ORGANIZATION THAT HAS HELPED FORM A COMMUNITY IN CENTRAL NEW YORK THROUGH THE SPORT OF PICKLEBALL.

THEIR WEBSITE HELPS PLAYERS FIND COURTS TO PLAY ON AND MEET OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING. IT’S BECOME SO BIG THAT ONONDAGA LAKE PARK PUT IN 12 COURTS STRICTLY USED FOR PICKLEBALL.

ORGANZIER BROOK BREGMAN SAYS THAT THE SPORT IS QUICKLY OVERTAKING THE AREA, CALLING FOR EVEN MORE NEW VENTURES FOR THE GROUP.

Brook: “We’re opening the first indoor dedicated pickleball place, which is called Syracuse Indoor Pickleball. It’s opening in Baldwinsville out at the wood, the golf course, with four courts. And we just got approval to open last night so that is exciting.”

Bailee: “Pickleball has took the nation by storm, but I needed to know, what is it that keeps these people behind me coming back for more?

Jon: “For the exercise, for the competition and to be with people. Probably three quarters of my friend circle right now have come from here and Florida, people we’ve met playing pickleball.

Brook: “The community is really grateful and generous and inclusive. They’re so nice to each other. It’s just a pleasure to be around everybody.”

Bailee: WHETHER YOU WANT TO GET SOME EXERCISE IN, LET OUT SOME COMPETITIVE FIRE OR JUST WANNA LAUGH, PLAYING PICKLEBALL IS SURE TO HELP YOU ACCOMPLISH ANY AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

IN LIVERPOOL, BAILEE MARIE TUCKER, NCC NEWS.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The sport of pickleball has been sweeping the nation, and Central New York is no exception. Luckily for residents, CNY Pickleball has given an outlet to those who are passionate about playing.

Brook Bregman has helped grow the game by volunteering her time to CNY Pickleball. She offers instructional sessions, runs their website and still finds time to play throughout the week with the advanced groups. She says the game has grown so much, they’re now in the process of opening a new facility.

“We’re opening the first indoor dedicated pickleball place, which is called Syracuse Indoor Pickleball. It’s opening in Baldwinsville out at The Wood, the golf course, with four courts. And we just got approval to open last night so that is exciting,” Bergman said.

According to a 2022 report by the Association of Pickleball Professionals, more than 36 million people are playing pickleball. Bregman says this could be attributed to the community of people pickleball has formed.

“The community is really grateful and generous and inclusive. They’re so nice to each other. It’s just a pleasure to be around everybody,” Bregman said.

To get involved with CNY Pickleball, visit their website for locations and times of pick-up games.

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