Players pick up pickleball at Piker’s clinic in Cornwall

WEST CORNWALL — America’s fastest growing sport has made its way to Cornwall. With some fresh paint and extended blacktop, the court at Foote Field on Furnace Brook Road has added pickleball to the menu.

To welcome the trending sport to town, Todd Piker, tennis liaison with Cornwall Parks and Recreation, held a clinic on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 12.

“Recently tennis players have really embraced pickleball because it has brought in so many more racket-sport players,” said Piker.

A dozen aspiring pickleball players came from across Litchfield County to take part in the lessons and friendly competition.

“You play once and you’re hooked,” said Pam Cafiero, who traveled from New Milford for the clinic.

Piker reviewed the rules and customs of the sport before players took to the court to hone their skills. The double-bounce rule, playing in the kitchen, cross-court dinks and calling out server numbers all became common knowledge over the course of the two-hour clinic.

“It’s amazing. In less than a couple hours everyone has really gotten the hang of it,” noted spectator Reeva Mager.

Toward the end of the session, the group broke into doubles teams and had a friendly tournament. One reporter’s team made it to the championship game but failed to bring home the title.

The popularity of the event prompted the creation of a sport-group on the app TeamReach. To join the group and connect with area pickleball players, download the app and enter code PBFoote.

“We move indoors for the winter. We go to the Cream Hill School and will setup about three courts there,” said Piker.