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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Those looking to get more serious about the country’s fastest-growing sport now have the chance to thanks to the new Alabaster Pickleball Club.

Registration is open for the city of Alabaster’s new pickleball league which will be hosted through the Alabaster Pickleball Club on the Pickleplay app.

“Since pickleball has grown so much in the area in the past few years, and now that we have 14 courts… we wanted to offer something that would allow (locals) to be able to play against people of their own abilities in more of a competitive setting,” Alabaster Parks and Recreation Director Tim Hamm said. “Our plan is to offer the league within the club and give rewards out and things like that.”

The city of Alabaster currently offers 14 total pickleball courts for residents to take advantage of with eight located at Veterans Park and six at Patriots Park. Members of the Alabaster Pickleball Club will receive a T-shirt for joining and will be able to reserve courts on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through the Pickleplay app.

“Within those preferred times, we plan to offer types of leagues depending on our registration,” Hamm said.

The Alabaster Pickleball Club currently plans on offering singles, men’s double, women’s double and mixed double divisions. According to Hamm, depending on the number of players and interest from the community, the city plans on rotating between the courts at Veterans Park and Patriots Park.

Hamm said the city was inspired to offer the new opportunity by similar efforts in local municipalities.

“We’ve talked to people over in Trussville, we’ve talked to people down in Auburn (and) we’ve looked at numerous different pickleball leagues online to try to gather up all different ideas,” Hamm said. “And as we see need for certain things that we’re not offering, we’ll be able to look at that and implement those as we see what best fits our community.”

The Alabaster Pickleball Club is available for individuals age 16 and older. Each participant has to have their own account in the Pickleplay app in order to join the club. Registration for the club is $30 annually and includes a T-shirt.

Those interest in learning more about the Alabaster Pickleball Club can visit the city’s website at cityofalabaster.com/707/Alabaster-Pickleball or contact Athletic Manager Jessica by phone at 205-664-6840 or email at pickleball@cityofalabaster.com.