Pickleball craze catches on in Medford

The galloping cadence of pickleball play is music to Michael Vines' ears.

It's a familiar sound that beckoned the Dugger Park resident to the court, going from a simple spectator to a full-blown pickleball fanatic. Vines is part of an ever-growing group of Medford players looking to perfect their court craftsmanship.

“It’s been great,” said Vines, who has been a regular in the circuit for the past two years. “I think I’ve been one of their big success stories.”

A rapidly growing, easy-to-learn, paddle sport, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It’s played on a small court with a plastic ball and paddles. Serving in front of a 34-inch-high net that borders on a non-volley zone known as the kitchen, the game has become a highly social sport for all ages.

For organizers like Susan Fowler-Finn, pickleball is more than just fun and games. It’s a true passion. She and her husband have lent a helping hand turning the once-niche activity into a city-wide phenomenon. Together they formed a gang of pickleball players at Dugger Park since 2008. 

They have since worked with as many as 150 players a year, from all walks of life, ranging in ages from 28 to 90.

“I’m an ambassador,” said Fowler-Finn. “But I’m also an addicted player.”

One of the newer recruits, Vines was a literal walk-on after first observing the action from afar.

“I actually live across the street from the court,” said Vines.  “I’d see them in the morning. You could hear them. People were having a great old time, so I gave it a shot.”

Vines first approached Fowler-Finn before a game in April 2024. She taught him the ground rules. From there it was all a matter of earning his stripes with in-game experience.

“Over the next few months I learned from different people,” said Vines, 63. “It wasn’t until August that I won my first game. But I took pieces from everybody teaching me, showing me how to do it. Now, two years into it I’m having a great time.”

He is not alone. For working moms like Heather Sewell, pickleball is a great escape from the usual day-to-day grind.

“We’re having a lot of fun out here,” said Sewell, 49. “We probably started about three years ago down at Dugger. It’s a great community. Everyone is friendly and really welcomed us into the program. We love it.”

According to Sewell the secret to success on this court is consistency.

“You try to get out as much as you can playing the sport,” she said. “Staying optimistic and having a good attitude.”

Count John Glynn among the growing cast of Medford pickleball professionals. The recently retired lawyer has quickly gone from beginner to intermediate, while also enjoying the added exercise to his regiment.

“I’m new to the sport,” said Glynn. “I just started last August, but the pickleball crew at Duggar and Carr Park have been very welcoming. I didn’t know anyone except for one guy coming into it, but everyone has been great teaching me the rules of the game how to play. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Glynn feels it’s a great break from the hustle and bustle of a busy work week.

“People come in, play a couple of games and then go to work,” said Glynn. “It’s a great thing. I also have to give a shout out to the Medford Rec Department. They do such a good job, Kevin and his staff are wonderful.”

The game has left its indelible mark at Duggar Park, as well as the other surrounding communities.

“PB is an important part of Medford,” said Susan Fowler-Finn.

The pickleball craze first took shape locally in the summer of 2008, with the Medford Recreational Department quickly developing a dedicated following.

Fowler-Finn first tried her hand at the sport at Hickey Park that summer. Two of her tennis-playing friends picked it up a couple years earlier. Together they forged something special. It didn’t take long for the rest of Medford to get into the swing of things, with pickleball experts Suzie Pippin and Peter Sullivan  also lending their expertise.

“We call that group the original group,” said Fowler-Finn. “Some have moved, some have passed, some gave it up, but many of us kept on playing.”

It didn’t take long for the sport to catch on in Medford.

“Two nets were set up and balls began to bounce,” said Fowler-Finn.

As the sport’s popularity grew, the OG’s eventually moved to Victory Park, ushering in a new wave of players. The Rec. Dept. even got behind it, adding a city locker for the nets.

Following the height of the pandemic, the Medford pickleball community got the upgrade it was looking for with renovations at Dugger Park. Fowler-Finn and her husband held court, opening and closing the locker every day to a legion of dedicated players.

“At one point we had so many members that it wasn’t fun,” said Fowler-Finn, noting the average age of players to be 55.  “More cities have courts now, so the numbers are now reasonable.”

There’s a quarterly sign-up charge, one low price for residents, one slightly higher for non-residents. The fees cover nets, balls, porta-potty and secured time slot 8:30-11 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. And with dedicated courts now at Carr Park, the game continues to expand in all conditions.

“We play if it is 30 degrees or above and no snow removal is needed,” said Fowler-Finn. “This past winter was tough. Everyone was so happy when the snow was off the courts and we could all enjoy outdoor play again. Whether they’re working, semi-retired or retired, we look out for each other, no matter what age.”