Rich Miller is working to get others hooked on the sport.

MASSILLON On any given day, you can find Rich Miller and a group of co-workers or family on the court, volleying a plastic ball back and forth.

It’s not cut-throat or professional; they are simply having fun.

Since Miller’s sister, who lives on the other side of the state, introduced him to pickleball about a year ago, he’s been hooked.

But he needed a place to play in Massillon.

He didn’t have to look much farther than his backyard and Lincoln Park.

With the permission of the city Parks and Recreation Department, the Massillon resident transformed a defunct basketball court along 17th Street into a regulation pickleball court.

Growing the sport

He’s been hooked on the low-impact sport since his sister introduced him to the paddle game about a year ago.

Since then he’s introduced others, including his brother and sister-in-law, son and grandchildren.

“My brother and his wife play tennis, now they play pickleball,” he said. “My 8-year-old grandson loves playing.”

The basketball hoop at Lincoln Park was removed long ago, Miller said.

The conversion was just a little bit of sweat and spray paint. Miller recruited his wife, Bernice, son, Richard Jr., and grandchildren, 10-year-old Annika and 8-year-old Jameson Miller.

“There was a lot of mud and muck,” Miller said. The volunteers spent four days removing the gunk, sweeping, blowing and prepping the court for paint.

He sprayed lines to mark the 20-by-44 court. A portable net completes the setup. Miller, who purchased the net, doesn’t leave it up. He’s hopeful city officials will soon get a permanent one for the court.

According to USA Pickleball Association, the national governing body, the sport has been around for 55 years after three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum – came up with the game in 1965 when their kids grew bored of the usual summertime activities.

Like tennis, the game can be played as singles or doubles. Miller prefers to team with a partner, adding it is difficult to cover the entire court solo.

The game can be enjoyed by any age and offers a low-impact alternative for those who want to stay active, he said.

Steve Pedro, director Parks and Recreation for Massillon, said more people are playing pickleball in the city.

The city’s Recreation Center has three courts and about 30 to 40 regulars.

It had been popular among rec center members 55 and older, but the virus has kept them out of the game, he said.

The center has paddles to loan out, but because of COVID-19 restrictions at this time, guests must bring their own, Pedro said.

The court at Lincoln Park is the only outdoor court in the city, but Pedro hopes to change that. Officials are discussing the best places to add more within a year.

“The demand for outdoor courts is there,” Pedro added.

Miller said for those who can’t make it to the rec center, they can use any of the city’s tennis courts. The net is higher and the court larger, but it can work, he said.

Family fun

Everyone in Miller’s family has taken to the sport. From his 4-year-old grandson, Maxx, to his 72-year-old mother-in-law, Mary Covey, the family is getting out and having fun.

Miller also introduced the sport to his coworkers at Crown Cork & Seal, including Joe Laboucane.

He’s only been swinging a paddle about a month, but Laboucane is enjoying the new hobby. He also likes the idea of getting his son, J.J., joining him.

“It’s just so great for people to be outside in a nice, safe environment with friends and family,” he said.

Miller said those driving by the Lincoln Park court tend to slow down to see what’s going on.

Going pro

Miller doesn’t anticipate hitting the pro circuit anytime soon, but he is interested in taking part in area tournaments.

The Middletown Pickle Ball Association near Cincinnati, where Miller’s sister serves as treasurer, will host the Cincinnati Pickleball Open in October, which boosts a $25,000 top prize.

“All the pros will be there,” Miller said. “Anyone can enter the tournament.”

If you aren’t in Massillon, Miller said, there are a number of pickleball courts around the area including in Canton and Green.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @aknappINDE