THE PICKLE POST
PRESCOTT PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER - 1/1/26
UPDATES
2026 PPA Membership Renewal
Membership Renewal notices were sent out and all members who have yet to renew should have received the notice. We are keeping our cost down, which allows us to offer the same great price for a yearly membership as we have offered the last few years. Just simply respond to the email and it will prompt you to renew, or click below. You also have the choice of printing off an invoice and mailing it in. All information is explained when you log in to your profile from the email link.
It is important to renew your membership in order to enjoy all the benefits PPA has to offer!
Each month our competitive Round Robin's hold championships which are highlighted with pictures and explanations on our website. In addition we congratulate those that were promoted up to the next level of play. This part of the website is a great way to celebrate accomplishments in pickleball play. Congratulations to all that moved up and made the championships!
Click here to view this months results.
NEW NEWS
Volunteer of the Month
Welcome to a new monthly addition to the Pickle Post. Our volunteers are the life-blood of our organization and PPA wants to take the opportunity to celebrate them! Each month we will highlight someone from our amazing pool of volunteers we are privileged to have make PPA a great Pickleball destination. This month we highlight Ginger Alfini!
Ginger Alfini has been a dedicated PPA volunteer for many years and is a true cornerstone of our organization. Serving on the board as a Member-at-Large, Ginger brings commitment, positivity, and a genuine love for the pickleball community to everything she does.Whether she’s greeting members with a friendly smile at events,
expertly handling raffles as our resident raffle officianato, or stepping in wherever help is needed, Ginger is always ready to lend a hand. Her reliability, warmth, and willingness to help in any capacity make a lasting impact on PPA and everyone involved.
We are incredibly grateful for Ginger’s continued service and are proud to recognize her as our Volunteer of the Month. Thank you, Ginger, for all that you do!
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
Our next new member orientation will be held on January 3 at Pioneer Park Pavilion starting at 9:00 am. This is a great time to learn more about PPA, how we work, and all the programs that are open to you. Don't forget to bring your paddle as some Pickleball play will be part of the time spent together. Any questions, please email prescottpickleball@gmail.com.
EVENTS
It is with great excitement that we invite you to our 2nd annual Pickle "Ball" event! We look forward to hosting an amazing night of food, friends, drinks, and dancing to the music of the band Barely Contagious! Last year's "Ball" was a blast, and this will be no different. Raffle prizes will be available to bid on. Surprises await each guest. Please come join us and experience a night to remember. Time is coming soon so please register to enjoy this great event!
January 17th, 2026
5:00 - 9:00 pm
Prescott Lakes Club House
Great tournament coming to Espire Sports on January 24-25, 2026. This tournament will offer many levels of play including mixed doubles, women's doubles, men's doubles in various ages and ranking levels. Register early to receive a discount.
THE
COACHES
CORNER
Stop to Speed Up.
What…. How can I speed up when I stop? OK, you are correct. BUT, do you want to play better, make less mistakes, aim better? Every day I see players run from the base line to
the no volley zone line without stopping. They are fast but the fourth shot is poorly performed.
Fourth shot?? Yes, Serve, return, 3rd shot, then the 4th shot. Sue served, Mike returned, Jan hit
her 3rd shot, Mark came running to the net and hit the 4th shot completely off balance. His feet
were tangled up. He couldn’t get low on that 4th shot which hit at his feet. He messed up!
Why, what went wrong? Watch the good athletes get ready for a play. Volleyball players face
the ball and get low before the opponent smashes the ball. Basketball players slide step and
face the opponent to guard that opponent. Softball players face and get low towards the
opponent before the batter swings. Athletes stop and get low before the opponent swings or
throws or jumps. You, the pickleball player should stop and get low and balanced just before
the opponent hits the ball. I can’t know where my opponent will hit the ball so I must be able
to move in any direction prior to my opponent hitting that ball. If I’m running, I can’t move in
all directions leading to my uncoordinated, unbalanced hit. Sure, sometimes when I watch my
opponents paddle and posture I can read where they will hit the ball. That gives me maybe a one
half second early start on moving to the ball, but I still need to be able to move to the ball.
So, stop and hit, correct? No. Don’t stop and hit. Stop prior to the opponents hit. You
stop, see where the ball is going, move to the ball, and maybe continue running forward as you
hit the ball. Yes, run though that hit. It’s easy. You know where the ball will be and when it will
be there. Jason says, “Count to yourself. Hit, bounce, hit. 1, 2, 3”. Sue hits, ball bounces, you
hit. 1, 2, 3. Timing is everything. If a dancer can prance in a circle and jump in a perfect ballet
jump, surely you can run and hit a ball while running. A baseball player runs and catches and
throws the ball without stopping.
The stop occurs prior to the ball being hit. Stop, and get to
the net faster, with control. Talk to Jason, he has a wealth of information. Attend Friday PPA
lessons. Kurt, Wayne, and Rick will help you improve your shots and strategies.
Rick Bothell
928-308-1861
