SEPTEMBER 2025 Habersham County Pickleball Club
- John Bigelow
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 30
When US + Them = WE
Without going national here, we are, hopefully, becoming more and more a collective entity of folks sharing a single goal. The goal is a simple one. Keeping Habersham a healthy, thriving space for pickleball.
We are doing this by being welcoming hosts for players from a multitude of counties and handfuls of other states. We seem to have succeeded in that and are highly regarded by both local and itinerant players. Our play-in guidelines seem fair to all and easily understood. New folks aren't left awkwardly staring through the fence. They are welcomed and introduced to our customs. I think we do that well.
For our members we create playing opportunities for beginner through advanced. While it may chafe a few it suits the many. Recently our PICKLE PALS effort (pairing newer players with more experienced) finished up with a refereed tournament helping those who wished to make significant strides in skills and transition to a newer group of competitors and future tournament players.
Reflections on these pathways is critical as we are transitioning to a significant change in Board members. I believe our growth is due to Keeping the Main thing the Main
thing.
PICKLEPALS STARS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MIKE AND RACHEL
Top row L to R. Winner Group B - Peggy K and Kim, Winner Group A - Peggy A and Kristin, Best Mentors - Rudy and Amie, Future Mentor - Alan H. Bottom row L to R. Most Consistent - Peggy K., Most Encouraging - Marva, Most Improved - Larry, All y'all PICKLEPALS.
RULES CLUES:
6.C.7. All “out” calls must be promptly signaled by voice and/or hand signal.
6.C.7.a. If a player/team returns the ball, the “out” call shall be made before the opponent hits the ball or the ball becomes dead.
6.C.7.b. If a player/team does not return the ball, they may make an “out" call, appeal the call to the referee, or defer to their opponents to make the line call up until the next serve occurs.
6.C.8. In doubles play, if one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” then doubt exists and the team’s call will be “in.” Any player may appeal the team’s call to the referee or defer a line call to their opponent up until the next serve occurs. If the referee or opponent did not see the ball, the ball is considered in.
6.C.9. While the ball is in the air, if a player yells “out,” “no,” “bounce it,” or any other words to communicate to their partner that the ball may be out, it shall be considered player communication only and not considered a line call.
6.C.10. An “out” call made after the ball bounces is a line call. The ball is dead and play shall stop. If, upon appeal, the referee overrules any type of “out” call, it is a fault against the player or team that made the “out” call. Exception: If the match has line judges, the baseline and sideline judges are responsible for the call.
6.C.11. Players may overrule a partner’s line call, their own line call, an officiating team’s line call, or an “in” ruling to their own disadvantage.
News2Use1
HAB MLP
Our 2nd Hab MLP season is about to begin. Amie will be providing team rosters and league assignments shortly.
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PicklePals
Next edition of PicklePals will begin in January 2026 along with sign up for drill groups.
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SHIRTS
Display books for HCPC logo merchandise are available to order. See Marva or Peggy K. for hats, shirts, pullovers, etc. Great shirt colors for MLP teams. C'mon Captains support the cause.
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Paddle Identification
Please ensure that paddles are clearly marked with your name. You can order from Rachel the rubber name bands or write on your paddle. This helpful in returning forgotten paddles and to see whose next up.
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HCPC Board
Our next Board meeting will be Wednesday, October 22 at 12:30 in the Activity Room in the Aquatic Center. There is time on the agenda for your thoughts and suggestions. As always, we welcome you to join us.
And that will be enough of that.
John Bigelow
706-499-8588
