THE PICKLE POST
PRESCOTT PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2026
UPDATES
In Memoriam
It is with great sorrow that we say goodbye to a great friend and well known pickleball player, Bob Atherton. Bob was instrumental in creating the pickleball community in Prescott. He was the Northern Director for USA Pickleball and brought pickleball to the Baptist Church for several years, which were the first public courts.
Bob taught, coached and played pickleball with good sportsmanship. He conducting funding events to help raise money for the PPA and our first eight courts.
Until very recently, Bob was still playing and teaching pickleball at the YMCA, his home base for pickleball in the recent years.
Bob was a gentle, sweet man who was always smiling. He will be missed by many, most especially his lovely wife, Claudia.
AED
An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a portable medical device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. It automatically analyzes the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat when necessary.
In the extremely unlikely event an AED is needed it can be found on the wall outside the restrooms. All instructions are included with the device.
As with any serious injury call 911 immediately.
After use the AED must be taken to the City of Prescott and a report must be filed.
New Shade Ramada - Coming Soon
Exciting news! Pioneer Park will be getting a new shade structure in the coming months. It will stand outside of court 5. More news to follow.
NEW NEWS
Volunteer of the Month
The Prescott Pickleball Association is proud to recognize Rick Bothell as our Volunteer of the Month.
For more than five years, Rick has been a dedicated and valued member of the PPA community. His contributions have touched nearly every aspect of our organization, helping make PPA a better place for players of all skill levels.
Rick currently serves as a Member-at-Large on the PPA Board of Directors, where he provides leadership and support for the continued growth of pickleball in Prescott. In addition, he serves as PPA's lead pickleball instructor, sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the game with countless players. As a certified instructor with the City of Prescott, Rick has helped many newcomers learn the fundamentals while also assisting experienced players in improving their skills.
Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Rick plays a vital role in the maintenance and upkeep of the Pioneer Park pickleball courts.
Whether he's teaching a clinic, serving on the board, maintaining the courts, or simply offering a helping hand, Rick consistently demonstrates the volunteer.
Thank you Rick for all you have done for PPA and the pickleball community!
Round Robin News
Each month PPA's website publishes news about our competitive round robins. Highlighted on this page are the results of the monthly championships for levels 2.7, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.75, and 4.0. Also listed are those that have been promoted through the various levels. While there is no info on the non-competitive round robins, if there is any interest please send an email to prescottpickleball@gmail.com to communicate your interest.
If you are interested in more info about competitive round robins and how to join, the information is on the website and you can access by clicking here:
EVENTS
Pickle for the Pets - 2026
Registration is now closed and there are over 200 players for this amazing tournament to support our local Yavapai Humane Society! Please come watch your fellow pickleball players and cheer them on. There will be items for sale, raffle opportunities, and just a great time!
3.0 Level-Up Training Clinic
This clinic is almost full and the discount to join is about to expire! The level of information and skills that is acquired is invaluable. Each day will be filled with instruction on improving your skills, basic strategy, and plenty of play time.
For more information and to register,
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
This months new member orientation will be cancelled due to the Pickle for the Pets tournament. Feel free to come to the courts to watch some amazing pickleball being played and cheer on your PPA friends. Next orientation will be July 4th at 8:00 am in the ramada. See you then!
Any questions, please email prescottpickleball@gmail.com.
THE
COACHES
CORNER
by Rick Bothell
Vector Analysis by Mr. Precalculus
A vector is a power push in a direction. When I push Susan forward the push is felt by Susan as
a force and the direction is forward. Let’s hit the pickleball over the net. We need a forward
push and an upward push. 1) Hit with a paddle tilted back so the ball is cut or it has underspin.
Part of the vector power is pushing the ball forward and part is pushing the ball up. The
pushing the ball up takes away from the power hitting it forward because the power is shared
by two different forces. 2) Hit another ball with top spin. Lift the ball up and spin it. That is,
make the ball spin from back to front over top of the ball. Same forces. The lifting power takes
away from the forward power. 3) Hit a 3 rd ball directly in back of the ball so the ball leave the
paddle perpendicular to the face of the paddle. Think straight out. There is no shared forces so
all the power goes into hitting the ball straight forward. Think, the fast ball, in baseball. No
curves in that pitch.
So if we want to hit the ball and make it curve, hit the underspin, topspin or side spin ball. It
will curve but at a cost of lower power. To hit the ball harder, hit with no spin or a flat hit. The
ball doesn’t spin but goes faster. Sorry, you can’t have both spin and max power. Quiz
question #1) Here comes a short lob to you at the no volley zone line. What do you want?
Spin or Power? Answer #1. I want power. I reach up high and snap my wrist giving me max
power. The ball stays in because I can aim it slightly down into the court. No Spin. Quiz
question #2) Here comes an easy shot to you. It’s about knee high. What do you want? Spin
or Power? Answer #2. I want spin. I must hit the ball up over the net and with no spin it will
hit the fence if I give it max power. My top spin curves the ball down into the court allowing me
to hit hard but the ball stays in. Think, Up side down airplane wing. My sweet wife’s favorite
softball team, University of Nebraska, has a pitcher who pitches the ball at the batter’s head
and it curves into the strike zone for another strikeout. GBR… The pitcher throws the ball with
top spin and side spin to make it curve down and to the side but the ball travels slower. You
can’t have both spin and max power. Your power vector only has so much power to share with
upward or downward or straight head direction power.
In conclusion…If you want to hit the ball hard either jump high and hit the ball downwards over
the net in a straight line or LEARN TOP SPIN. Talk to your favorite instructor. Curt, Wayne,
Rick, Sue, Joe, James, Jason, Jim, Scott. All of us can teach you to bend low, follow through
high, and hit with a vertical paddle face. No, don’t roll your paddle over the ball. If your paddle
is aiming down, the ball goes down. We want the ball to go up and over the net. The spin is
produced when the vertical paddle is rising upwards and hits the ball on the exact back of the
ball. Not under the ball, not on top of the ball. Hold your paddle exactly vertically and touch a
ball. Where does the paddle hit the ball? Answer: Directly in back of the ball. The max power
position. But the lifting of the paddle in a higher follow through creates the top spin that keep
the ball in. Remember, if in doubt, keep the ball in.
Rick Bothell
928-308-1861
Call for individual and group lessons
