We love pickleball! This is just about the best game ever; play if you're 8--play if you're 80!

Here we are, yours truly on the far left,  Joyce (one of my heroes) in the middle, and Alvin, who works for the city of Chesapeake. He's of the great guys who helped organize our 2007 Super Pickleball Challenge tournament at the Western Branch Community Center this past April.

This game has long been dominated by seniors, but the "younger" crowd (those of us who are forty and fifty-somethings) are rapidly infiltrating the game, and giving those feisty seniors a run for their money. After all, this isn't a game about strength, but shot placement and strategy. (Of course, it helps if you can send those seniors chasing the ball all around the court. I say, if you can't beat 'em--at least wear 'em out!)

Joyce, for example, (sorry, Joyce!!!) is almost 25 years older than I am. I work out almost daily, and push myself hard. But playing Joyce in 3 games of singles almost had me cryin' for my mama. She's a very aggressive player, using her overhead shot at the net to shoot that ball right past me like a bullet, right along the baseline and just out of my reach. And she never gives up.

Stay with us for more photos from the tournament. We're always on the prowl for more players; we'd love to welcome folks from anywhere in the Tidewater area.

Or we'll come to you.

But fair warning--we'll be bringing Joyce with us.