Pickleball players in Ocean Pines are part of a nation-wide craze leading the game to become the fastest growing sport in America or the third year in a row.

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(April 27, 2023) Pickleball is all the rage in Ocean Pines. With 399 members, it far surpasses tennis, spec, platform, and timeless tennis.

Today, the Sports and Fitness Industry Association named pickleball the fastest- growing sport in America for the third year in a row.

Pickleball is a sport that’s fairly easy for anyone to pick up.

“If we see someone who is new and learning the game we try to set them up with someone we know who they would have fun with.  As experienced players, we can also play and make it enjoyable for new players,” John Hulit said, a pickleball, spec and platform tennis player.

“Don’t ever feel intimidated. A lot of it is playing with the right people,” Hulit said.

“Socialization is number one in any of these sports. It’s fun to play the game, but you will find that at any given time there might be a bunch of people playing and another 15-20 people sitting around socializing,” Hulit said.

Friendships blossom at the pickleball courts.

“We play trivia together, we play golf together, it just grows. We have a pickleball outing tonight. Then I see people at the Yacht Club,” Nick Misleby, a pickleball player, said. “It’s a great thing. I just moved here last year, and I feel like I am part of the group.”

On June 2-4, the Ocean Pines Pickleball Club will be hosting its 2023 Summer Classic Pickleball Tournament.

“We already have 140 people signed up; some are coming from other states. We are shooting for 200 players,” Mike Mullen said, who is the director-at-large for the Pickleball Committee and the event organizer.

Ocean Pines is a good place for a tournament.

“We have more courts than other places. It’s a pickleball mecca here. We take it for granted.  A lot of other places, you don’t see dedicated pickleball courts,” Hulit said.

Ocean Pines has 12 dedicated pickleball courts and four additional courts available.

The Racquet Club will now have a full time Racquet Sports manager with the addition of Tim Johnson.

A former member of several Ocean Pines Racquet Sports, Johnson also brings a wealth of professional experience to the position.

He most recently served as the tennis supervisor for the Town of Ocean City.

Johnson is also a USPTA-certified Elite Tennis Professional, USPTA-certified Pickleball Professional, and a SPEC Tennis Ambassador.

“I am truly looking forward to working with all our Ocean Pines Racquet Sports groups to enhance our already successful operation,” Johnson said. “My goal is to ensure that our community is healthier, happier, and even more active!”

Pickleball may be an easy sport to learn but it comes with its share of injuries as well.

Mullen has a knee injury he attributes to too much pickleball play.

“These things happen when you play a lot,” Mullen said.

Hulit has had a knee replacement.

“I give myself a good stretch before I go out there,” Hulit said.

Hulit is a physical therapist by training.

“It’s about staying as healthy as you can. You have to carve out a part of your day and find something to get some type of cardio.  And it’s also important to find some light weights and keep that part of your body toned too.

“Doctors love pickleball. It’s grown their practice quite a bit, between hips and knees and rotator cuffs, but any of that can happen when you are active,” said Hulit.

Dr. Sandra Kappes of Back in Action Physical Therapy advises clients and players to stretch before and after pickleball and to exercise regularly, engaging in other activities in addition to pickleball.

She also encourages proper hydration, before and after the game.

“You have to be in shape to get in shape. Otherwise, you set yourself up for injuries. Pain is a stop sign,” Kappes said.

“I told my wife, when it gets to the point where I can’t play golf, or pickleball or spec, or the things I really enjoy, you can just dig a hole and put me in it. That is the passion of my life now,” Hulit said.

For more information on the Summer Classic Pickleball Tournament, contact Mullen at mpmullen249@gmail.c