As pickleball becomes increasingly popular throughout the United States, the sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong, is also a hit among residents of Parkesburg.

A group of pickleball players, led by local dentist Amy Wilde, offers organized play on weekday mornings and evenings at the tennis courts located in Parkesburg's Minch Park, 111 West St.

The Parkesburg Pickleball group got organized after playing informally on the park's tennis courts for several years. "We put some pickleball lines in and some of us were playing pickup (games)," said Wilde, who has been playing pickleball for 15 years. "It started picking up, more and more people found out about it, and it go so big, we got organized."

The group plays on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and in the evenings on Mondays through Thursdays. "We play evenings from 5:30 to 9 or 9:30 p.m. now that we have lights," said Wilde, noting that beginner lessons are scheduled for select evenings. "We will have organized play and I will take one or two nets and do the lessons while they are playing."

She said that many people prefer pickleball over tennis, including senior citizens. Parkesburg Pickleball's oldest player is 82. "The court is a lot smaller, and the net is a little bit lower," Wilde explained. "So, there is not as much running (as tennis). It's a lot more getting up to the pickleball line and finessing the ball. It's about position over power."

"Tennis is a lot of taking your (racket) back, and for (pickleball) you want to keep your paddle in front of you," she added. "You don't want to be doing a lot of big swings."

Games are usually played to 11 points. "There is a two-bounce rule. When you serve, it has to bounce on their side, only when you start. After that it's free rein," Wilde explained. "The green area is called the kitchen or the no-volley zone and they (go there) to play it out. The only way to score is by serving. The score is called out verbally before each service."

She said that the pickleball itself is like hard like a wiffleball, and she recommends that players wear protective eyewear.

Participants pay membership dues, but drop-ins are welcome to play for a fee. "The money goes to our nonprofit. Our dream is to get the courts resurfaced and get permanent nets," Wilde said. "We just got LED lights this year and we painted the courts and filled in all the cracks (on the court). We did all the painting ourselves and we paid for the lights. We also have business sponsors, and they get a banner (at the courts)."

She noted that in the fall, games are played at The Parkesburg Point Youth Center.

Wilde added that pickleball can be adapted for players with special needs and that there are efforts to make the sport part of the Olympics. "(Pickleball is) social, too. It's almost like the new golf," she said.

To learn more and to see a schedule of upcoming events, join the "Parkesburg Pickleball" Facebook group.