FROM THE USAPA
Plan Before You Build
BY ROBERT NIBARGER / USAPA COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
hear from many of my colleagues that they are working at
I a fever pitch to develop new pickleball courts . Before you recommend new courts , you may wish to take a step back and do some preliminary planning . Some planning points include :
1 . Is there a site coordinator to schedule matches at the new facility ?
2 . Is there a mechanism in place to notify players of match game times ?
3 . How will newcomers be trained and welcomed into the fold ?
4 . Will the new courts have exclusive usage or will they be available on a first-come basis ? 5 . Will Pickleball 101 clinics be offered ? 6 . Are the courts actually needed or will you simply carve up the available pool of players ?
Like the housing market , it is important that we don ’ t overbuild or we will have courts sitting empty . Do your homework and be prepared before you turn the first shovel . • resistance , while the indoor ball is a little lighter with larger holes .
How does the price compare with competitors ’?
The Pure 2 ball is priced at the high end of the market ; however , considering the playability and durability , we believe it is still an excellent value for pickleball players . In testing the durability of Pure balls in tournament play , we only see a fraction of broken balls compared to the roto-molded balls that are traditionally used . The marginal price difference you pay up front for the Pure 2 will definitely pay off in the end with the longevity of the balls .
Aside from tournament feedback , what methods have been used to test the durability ?
Our quality assurance testing for durability includes two primary methods : First , we periodically conduct play tests on samples to evaluate durability . Thus far , the Pure 2 ball has exceeded 60 games without cracking or loss of roundness . Additionally , every Pure 2 ball that leaves the factory is visually inspected and passes
“ Thus far , the Pure 2 ball has exceeded 60 games without cracking or loss of roundness .”
through a “ squeeze tube ” to ensure seam integrity .
Ask USAPA
The USA Pickleball Association ( USAPA ) is pleased to add a new informational service in Pickleball Magazine similar to “ Ask The Experts ” seen in other media . A new email address has been established to enable both members and non-members to ask questions directly to the USAPA . The questions and replies will be featured the following month in Pickleball Magazine . The new email address is live now to accept your pickleball questions on rules , ambassadors , tournaments , membership , grants , training , equipment and a host of other subjects . The link is live now at askusapa . org . •
Who has play-tested the ball ?
As part of our validation process , we have tried to get the Pure 2 ball into the hands and courts of as many pickleball players as possible , including Team Onix pro players , our own Onix employees , several key pickleball retailers , and the general pickleball community .
We ’ ve had great feedback from a variety of players . One of our favorites is from Chris Allen , host of “ The Pickleball Show ” podcast : “ Three qualities make a great pickleball — playability , visibility , durability . The Onix Pure 2 dominates all three .”
Is the ball currently on the market ?
The Pure 2 indoor and outdoor balls will be available on Aug . 1 in yellow , and the orange versions will be available in September .
Where are the balls manufactured ?
The Pure 2 ball is produced overseas under the intense scrutiny of our on-site product engineers who ensure that our processes are delivering only the highest quality products available . •
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