Pickleball court in White Hall serves fun, fitness

“We play for fun, exercise,” Nancy Fuller said before taking her spot on the James “Jitters” Morgan White Hall Community Center pickleball court.

Technically, it’s a full-size basketball court with yellow offsets outlining three pickleball courts.

Michelle Price and her daughters, Martha Fox and Madelyn Price, joined Fuller on the court, personal pickleball paddles in hand, poised and ready to play.

The women take their play seriously but not so seriously as to spoil their fun, and this morning was punctuated by plenty of laughter.

The four women live in White Hall and belong to a larger group, whose text thread is labeled “Pickleball Ladies,” of about 16.

The group has met regularly at the community center for the last 18 months. In addition to White Hall, members drive from Sheridan, Grapevine and Pine Bluff to play.

“We will have anywhere from four to eight people play at a time,” Fuller said.

Besides physical benefits such as cardio, strengthening muscles and building or maintaining balance, flexibility, movement ability and hand-eye coordination, it also provides members a valuable social connection, according to the American Medical Association. Additionally, exercise can improve cognition.

In other words, “It’s dang good exercise,” said Jeff May, White Hall deputy mayor and dedicated pickleball player.

Fuller, who only started playing about nine months ago, agreed and offered personal proof.

“I move better now,” Fuller said.

She also reports other health benefits, such as “lost weight, more strength in legs, and more energy.”

For those who struggle with anxiety, like Fuller, or depression, she said, “It really helped me.”

The AMA website agreed with her assertion.

For Price and her daughters, it’s about exercise as well as a way to get together and have a bonding experience.

HARDCORE FUN

Although hesitant about pickleball initially, Fuller decided to check it out.

Price suggested anyone interested in playing “watch a few games.”

Fox described pickleball as “a cross between tennis and ping-pong, but the rules are different.”

Fuller said, “It can be confusing at first, but everyone is helpful with learning the rules.”

It’s possibly one of the only sports that’s truly cross-generational.

“The cool thing about pickleball is that mixed ages play together,” May said. “You can be nine or 90. It’s maybe the only sport where you have a 30-year-old playing a 90-year-old.”

“You can play as fast as you want or as slow as you want,” May said.

Price added, “We adjust our play to accommodate players,” whether they’re new or experienced, young or old.

Fuller said, about the Pickleball Ladies, “They welcomed me in.”

While many play for fun, May said he and his pickleball partner often travel around Central Arkansas to play in pickleball tournaments.

ON THE CHEAP

The number of pickleball players at the community center continues to grow, and the staff happily enables their play.

They make it easy for members and nonmembers to play without breaking the bank.

Jamie Buffkin, the center’s director, said an annual membership costs $75, which is only $6.25 a month for anyone living within the White Hall School District.

Nonresidents can join for $95 annually, and there’s a day pass available for $5.

They have pickleball equipment, including paddles, on request.

In addition to basketball, volleyball and pickleball, the center offers members an elevated indoor walking track, fitness zones and an outdoor fishing pond.

Several meeting rooms, TVs and speakers, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor patio, a concession area and a kitchen are available.

Like Fuller and friends, the community center staff encourages anyone interested in pickleball or joining the gym to check them out on Facebook, call (870) 247-2399 or stop by.

The James “Jitters” Morgan White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.