Strasburg to host first Pickleball Classic on Oct. 11 at Franklin Park

The first Strasburg Pickleball Classic will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at Franklin Park, 140 Fourth St. SE, beginning at 8 a.m. A rain date is set for Oct. 12 at the same time.

The event is sponsored by the Strasburg Parks Department and organized with help from Kyle Kendall, a village resident.

“I lived in Florida for two years and pickleball was such a big hit in that state. Florida was the leading state for pickleball. When I moved back, the interest in pickleball was brewing,” Kendall said.

Kendall previously served as tournament director for the United Way of Tuscarawas County pickleball tournament. He said Strasburg Mayor Bruce Metzger approached him about organizing an event after the village installed six new courts at Franklin Park. Lights have also been added for evening play. Village Administrator Mike Rosenberry and Councilman Wes Hostetler, who chairs the park committee, also assisted with planning.

“We want to make people aware there are now pickleball courts in the village park,” Kendall said.

The classic will feature men’s, women’s and mixed doubles tournaments. The cost is $15 per person, a decrease from the original price. There is no age limit for participation. T-shirts and water will be provided, and prizes will be awarded to the top two teams in each bracket. Registration is available online at www.pickleballbrackets.com/ABC123.

SSB Community Bank is serving as a presenting sponsor.

Pickleball is played with a paddle similar to table tennis and a perforated plastic ball. The sport originated in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Congressman Joel Pritchard and neighbors Barney McCallum and Bill Bell improvised with pingpong paddles and a Wiffle ball. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington.