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The Nashville Sounds and Dinkville Propel Pickleball to New Heights in Music City
by Rich and Laura Lynch
If there is one lasting criticism of the ongoing pickleball craze that is sweeping the nation - it is the high pitch pinging sounds made by the plastic balls when they are put into play. Undeterred, the Nashville Sounds and Dinkville have come together to offer a place to play America's fastest growing sport all winter long in Music City. We attended their joint effort on opening night at First Horizon Park on Friday, November 10, 2023 and it is safe to say that there was a lot of excitement and a variety of sounds in the air as the pickleball party got underway.
Pickleball hits the big time scoreboard in Nashville.
The launch featured food trucks, music, perks, a photo booth and The Band Box was open. Free play was available. But, time was limited as there were plenty of folks ready to dink the ball. Moving forward the set-up will be more organized with planned league play taking precedent inside the baseball stadium. Friday was an opportunity to see the courts and meet the folks from Dinkville to find out how the season is scheduled to run.
Recreation league play begins on Monday, Nov. 13 and will be Mondays - Thursdays from 6-9:10 p.m. Each team costs $150 and individuals $81. There will be separate clinics for beginner, intermediate and advanced athletes. Individual court reservations are available Monday-Thursdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Signups for both league play and free play can be found at www.firsthorizonpark.com/pickleball-at-first-horizon-park. The courts will remain open through February 29, 2024.
The Pickleball Brain Trust: From the Sounds - Communications Manager Collin Perry and Director of Special Events Sierra Siegel; Dinkville's Landon Hallam.
Dinkville's mission is to create a vibrant and inclusive hub for all things pickleball. They offer one-stop shopping for pickleball enthusiasts, a welcoming platform for players to connect, access courts, and participate in exciting events such as Tournaments, Pro Celebrity matches and Winter Pickleball at First Horizon Park.
The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and play at First Horizon Park in Nashville Tennessee. This club is always looking for new ideas. Throughout the baseball season they have fireworks, giveaways, and themed nights. On September 08, 2023, it was Pickleball Paddle Night at the stadium. Similar to their spring promotion they gifted a quality paddle co-branded and sponsored by Vanderbilt Health to the first 1000 fans to enter the ballpark that day. In hindsight these events were hints that the Sounds were preparing for Winter Pickleball.
Pickleball action gets underway in Music City.
This concept has the potential to be a big winner and it is an innovative use of the facility before the Boys of Summer return for their opening game against the St. Paul Saints on Tuesday, April 02, 2024. The Sounds' season ticket memberships are available now. For more information call 615-690-4487 or e-mail tickets@nashvillesounds.com. But for now, let's cheer on the Nashville Sounds and Dinkville as they propel pickleball to new heights in Music City.
Booster was on hand to give a shot in the arm to the pickleball party.
Related Links:
For more information on the NASHVILLE SOUNDS and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Nashville Sounds |
First Horizon Park |
Dinkville |
Dinkville Blog |
The Nashville Sounds Prep For a Whole New Ballgame at First Horizon Park |
Baseball in Nashville Never Sounded So Good As the Hot Chickens Take the Field at First Horizon Park |
Nashville Sports Legend Billy McGehee Takes His Best Shot to Help Turn Music City into Pickleball City
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