Sports

Playing pickleball in Lakeland

An outdoor pickleball court on a sunny day

What sounds better than a sunny day on the pickleball court?

Image via Google Maps

Have y’all heard about pickleball? If you haven’t, it’s kind of a big dill. Pickleball shares similarities with tennis, table tennis + badminton (as well as other paddle ball sports). It has official rules, regulations, and even its own organization — the USA Pickleball Association. Here’s the lowdown on the game so you don’t find yourself in a pickle:

It can be played indoors or outdoors.
The court is badminton-sized (20’ x 44’) with a modified tennis net.
The pickleball itself is made of plastic + has holes, like a wiffleball. The paddle is a little smaller than a tennis racquet.
It can be played as doubles or singles — that means 2-4 people, for those of us who are racquet sports-challenged.

According to Lakeland’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department’s Program Coordinator, Beth Sherling, the City of Lakeland first began offering open-play pickleball just over a decade ago. These days, Lakelanders can find pickleball courts (or tennis courts lined for pickleball) at most of Lakeland’s outdoor tennis sites.

A loggia with gated arches and columns on the Frances Langford Promenade under a clear blue sky. — Learn the secrets of the loggia by taking a free lake tour.

Where can you play in Lakeland?

Kelly Recreation Complex, 404 Imperial Blvd. | Play indoor pickleball from Mon.-Fri. between 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and on Monday evenings from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Outdoor pickleball courts are open daily from dawn until dusk — a $6 fee is applied after 5 p.m. from Mon.-Fri. or anytime lights need to be turned on.
Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. | Play indoor pickleball from Mon.-Fri. between 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lake Parker Park, 820 E. Robson St. | Play outdoor pickleball on one of six pickleball courts at Gate 4 (820 E. Robson St.) or on one of two tennis courts lined for pickleball at Gate 1 (910 E. Granada St.).
Woodlake Park, 3415 New Jersey Rd. | Play outdoor pickleball on one of six unlit courts from dawn until dusk.
If you’re interested in joining a pickleball league, this site can help you find or establish one in the Lakeland area.

Pro tip: Email Lakeland’s Recreation Division and set up a time for a staff member or Lakeland’s current tennis professional, Cy Smith of the United States Professional Tennis Association, to be on-site to show you the ropes.

5 MORE COURTS

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Thursday

"The Comedy of Errors" | Thu., Jan. 29 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa | $29.50 | It's a fairy tale of a farce believed to be one of the Shakespeare’s earliest, packed with everyday miracles, mistaken identity, and trouble set against the backdrop of 1960s beat-era San Francisco.

Jobsite's "The Comedy of Errors" | Thu., Jan. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Jaeb Theater, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa | $25.20 | By William ShakespeareAdapted and directed by David JenkinsFeaturing an original score by Jeremy DouglassStarring the ensemble of Cody Farkas, Logan Franke, Shawna Hopper, Nicholas Perez-Hoop,

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Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors | Thu., Jan. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Jaeb Theater, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa | $66.00

"The Wizard of Oz" | Thu., Jan. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Theatre Winter Haven, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven | $39.00 | January 15 - February 15. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film.

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Black Box Film Festival | Fri., Jan. 30 | 6-7 p.m. | University of Tampa, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | Type of Event: Film Open to Public: Yes Price: Free Contact Name: Lena Malpeli Contact Email: lmalpeli@ut.edu Contact Phone Number: (813) 257-7446UTampa's best student short films, including

"The Comedy of Errors" | Fri., Jan. 30 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa | $29.50 | It's a fairy tale of a farce believed to be one of the Shakespeare’s earliest, packed with everyday miracles, mistaken identity, and trouble set against the backdrop of 1960s beat-era San Francisco.

Jobsite's "The Comedy of Errors" | Fri., Jan. 30 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Jaeb Theater, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa | $25.20 | By William ShakespeareAdapted and directed by David JenkinsFeaturing an original score by Jeremy DouglassStarring the ensemble of Cody Farkas, Logan Franke, Shawna Hopper, Nicholas Perez-Hoop,

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