Author: Kate Van Gent

News

SMPA Directors Zoom to Olympia for Senate Hearing on SB5333

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date February 5, 2023

SMPA Directors Kate Van Gent, Amy Greger and John Rankin conduct a license plate strategy session prior to the Senate Committee Hearing.

Three SMPA directors are testifying via Zoom before the Senate Transportation Committee on Monday February 6th in support of the State Sport special license plate bill. Joining them are Nancy Purcell, president of the Mukilteo Everett Pickleball Club, Rose Jones of Pickleball Playground in Spokane, and Pablo Granados, who is representing the Marysville Pickleball Assn, the Lake Stevens Pickleball Assn and the Snoco County Pickleball Assn. Pablo Granados is also the executive director of DUPR in Washington State. We are excited to have them join us in presenting compelling arguments in support of the first pickleball license plate in the U.S. The hearing begins at 4 pm. Five items are on the committee agenda. The scheduled start time for SB5333 is just after 5 pm, with live video feed provided by the legislature on TVW.

The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association serves the Seattle Metro area, a population base of 3.5 million people within Seattle, King County and portions of Snohomish and Pierce Counties. The board members are unpaid volunteers committed to developing the sport and pickleball facilities not just in the Seattle Metro area but throughout the state. The SMPA is working with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office on a large statewide grant program for athletic facilities. SMPA is working to make pickleball an official school sport in Washington through its sponsorship of pickleball leagues in schools.

Pickleball continues to grow at an accelerated rate. In 2023 the Association of Pickleball Players released a YouGov report stating that 36.5 million adult Americans played pickleball in 2022, 10 million more than tennis participation, which per the United States Tennis Association is 23.6 million. The SMPA is working hard to find solutions to meet the increasing demand for pickleball courts, including being the non-profit sponsor of this bill.

If passed, the state sport license plate will be the first pickleball license plate in the U.S.

Proceeds from State Sport license plate sales are to be used solely for the construction and maintenance of dedicated pickleball courts and are available to be used throughout Washington. The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is happy to partner with any Washington parks and recreation department, city or municipality which has fast-tracked the construction and maintenance of dedicated pickleball courts.

The presence of pickleball plates on vehicles will increase awareness of the state sport. The license plates will be roaming advertisements for pickleball, leading to opportunities for education about the state sport as well as more pickleball courts throughout Washington. Most importantly, it will allow pickleball players to proudly display their love for the state sport.

You can help make an impact by supporting the bill. Fill out the electronic form here. Your support will be submitted directly to the Senate committee on the day of the hearing.

Please join us in the effort to pass the bill by indicating your support today!

Tags License Plate, New Courts

News

It’s official! The State Sport special license plate bill has been filed

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date January 11, 2023

If passed, the state sport license plate will be the first pickleball license plate in the U.S.

The first day of Washington State’s 2023 legislative session began on Tuesday, January 10th, and Senator John Lovick wasted no time filing the State Sport special license plate bill on Wednesday, January 11th. The State Sport license plate bill recognizes the state sport of pickleball and is named Senate Bill 5333. Information about SB 5333, including status updates and the full text of the bill, is available on the Washington State Legislature website at leg.wa.gov. Proceeds from license plate sales will be used for the construction and maintenance of dedicated pickleball courts throughout Washington.

In March 2022, pickleball was officially designated the State Sport of Washington. Not long after, the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association (SMPA) decided that our State Sport deserves a state license plate and became the bill’s non-profit sponsor. After Senator Lovick gave his support as the bill’s legislative sponsor, SMPA began the process of collecting the necessary documents and signatures required by the Department of Licensing. The official signature launch began in September at Mariners Pickleball Night. With the help of volunteers and clubs throughout Washington, 3,855 signatures were obtained by December.

148 pages of paper petitions and over 1,200 online petition signatures exceeded the 3,500 requirement by 10%.

SMPA enlisted the help of four designers, and a poll let the public choose a favorite from eight designs. With over 50% of the vote, Pickleball Rising was the clear favorite. SMPA must still obtain Department of Licensing approval of the proposed plate, which must pass certain specifications.

The Pickleball State Sport license plate was designed by Jason Laramie of Laramie Studio in Seattle. His design was inspired by the ferry ride from Bainbridge Island, the birthplace of pickleball. The view is towards the east, where a pickleball rises like the sun over Washington State. The pickleball paddles at left are based on the commemorative OneShot paddles signed at the bill signing ceremony on Bainbridge Island.

If the bill passes during the 2023 legislative session, State Sport license plates will be available near the end of the year. The approximate cost of the pickleball license plate is $157.25 for passenger vehicle, with a $30 annual renewal fee. The display of Pickleball State Sport license plates throughout the state will be a great way to help grow the sport and attract the attention needed to build more pickleball facilities in your community and throughout Washington.

Tags License Plate

News

Pickleball State Sport license plate bill ready to go to Olympia!

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date December 23, 2022

If passed, the state sport license plate will be the first pickleball license plate in the U.S.

Signature goal met, Pickleball Rising design wins poll vote

The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is thrilled to announce that a Pickleball State Sport license plate bill will be part of Washington’s 2023 legislative session! The minimum requirement of 3,500 signatures has been collected. The design Pickleball Rising won the poll vote, and after additional feedback, the adjusted design shown above will be submitted to the Department of Licensing.

This is Washington’s second pickleball bill in two years, and the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is honored to participate as the bill’s non-profit sponsor. Our legislative sponsor, Senator John Lovick of Mill Creek, will be moving the bill through the legislature.

*Celebrating Washington’s State Sport at the Seattle Metro Pickleball Classic tournament on July 23, 2022.*
*From left: Frank Chiappone (SMPA President), Kate Van Gent (SMPA Director), Senator John Lovick (sponsored SB5615*)*, Chuck Wright (proposed pickleball as the state sport), and Anna Copley (co-founder of Pickleball Central).*

Collecting 3,500 signatures since the official petition launch on September 10th at Mariners Pickleball Night was no easy feat. SMPA enlisted many volunteers to reach folks all over Washington State, from Bellingham to Spokane. We would like to thank our volunteers and our partners who participated in collecting signatures, including Pickleball Central, Pickleball is Great, Eastside Tennis Center in Kirkland, Gorin Tennis Center in Redmond, Harbor Square Athletic Club in Edmonds, Skagit Valley College/Blackburn Pickleball Pavilion, Pickleball Playground in Spokane, and the many statewide clubs who hung our banners and posted our petition.

A very special thanks goes to volunteer John Rankin, who drove statewide to pickleball tournaments and pickleball events to gather signatures. We are firm believers that bills like this are needed to encourage the development of dedicated pickleball courts throughout Washington State.

*SMPA volunteers, David Yamada and John Rankin, petitioning at T-Mobile Park before the Mariners vs. Astros playoff game.*

Do you want to help build more pickleball facilities in your area but don’t know how? Become part of our movement by buying a Pickleball State Sport license plate when it becomes available! Every time you drive, your community and municipal leaders will be reminded that pickleball is here to stay. Proceeds from the purchase of every plate will support the development of dedicated pickleball courts. The display of Pickleball State Sport license plates throughout the state is a great way to help grow the sport and attract the attention needed to get more pickleball facilities built in your community and throughout Washington.

See you on the courts!

Tags License Plate

News

State Sport Pickleball License Plate Poll

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date October 17, 2022

If you haven’t already signed the state sport license plate petition, now is the time!

The graphic designers have submitted their drafts. Which one of these designs will be on the pickleball license plate? You decide! Click on the poll to select your favorite design and submit your comments.

LICENSE PLATE DESIGN poll

These are rough drafts and can be altered. The letters SMPLE mean SAMPLE. When the plates are made, each plate will be assigned an individual number taking the place of the temporary word SMPLE. Submit your comments at the bottom of the poll to provide any feedback on the designs.

SMPA is 65% of the way to the goal of 3,500 signatures. If you’re excited about getting one of these designs on your car, spread the word and ask your friends to sign the petition! Feedback on any of the designs can be posted in the poll.

Pickleball License Plate Petition

Displaying a pickleball license plate on your vehicle is a great way to celebrate and share your pride in the sport you love. Your community and municipal leaders will be reminded that pickleball is here to stay, every time you drive. It is a great way to help grow the sport and attract the attention needed to get more pickleball facilities built in Washington. Proceeds from license plate sales will be used for the construction and maintenance of dedicated pickleball courts throughout Washington.

Tags License Plate

News

SMPA at Microsoft Ignite 2022

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date October 16, 2022

Have you signed the license plate petition?

The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association showcased the state sport of pickleball at Microsoft Ignite last week. The global event, launched in six languages, brings together product experts and partners from around the world to discuss the latest innovations shaping the future of tech. This year it was back, with 3,500 people uniting at the Seattle Convention Center in downtown Seattle.

Microsoft asked the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association to be a partner in showcasing the flavors of the Pacific Northwest, and what sport is more representative of the Pacific Northwest than pickleball, invented on Bainbridge Island. When it comes to pickleball, Washington has many firsts. Among these, the state can boast the first composite pickleball paddle, the first pickleball tournaments and the first retailers.

Our friends at Pickleball Central once again supported us to make the event successful. Nicole Smith, Director of Retail Operations, provided a display of ten pickleball paddles, including an original wooden paddle. Also on display was an official state sport paddle, signed by the governor and others at the state sport bill signing on Bainbridge Island. SMPA Director Gordon Sata brought an impressive display of maps showing pickleball court locations throughout Seattle. Director Amy Greger was on hand, along with SMPA volunteers, to tell participants about the Washington State pickleball license plate bill and petition, the first of its kind in the United States. Pickleball instructor Rick Bomar, aka Pickleball Rick of Marysville, and Devin Schmidt, Head Pro at Harbor Square Athletic Club in Edmonds, volunteered their time and expertise to engage and educate attendees about pickleball.

Ready to go
Gordon Sata explaining all things pickleball
Nice set up from Pickleball Central
Sergio Da Silva, Amy Greger, and David Yamada
Chon Vargas
I got this!
Devin Schmidt
Devin Schmidt, Wiktor Greger, John Rankin, Nicole Smith, Sergio Da Silva, and Amy Greger

Joining the SMPA and Pickleball Central on the main convention floor was a Sasquatch, Woodinville Valley Farms, Frans Chocolates, Pike Brewing Beers, the Blitz Seahawks mascot, Blue Thunder, and the famous fish throwers of Pike Place Market. Sasquatch and Blitz spent quite a bit of time in our area, posing for photos and dinking back and forth.

The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association would like to extend a special thank you to all the volunteers who made this event a success. Look for us (and maybe Sasquatch) at future Microsoft events.

News

Mariners Pickleball Night 2022

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date September 15, 2022

Magic happened behind the T-Mobile Park sign on 9/10/2022!

Mariners Pickleball Night 2022 was a huge success and a triumphant way to cap a great year for pickleball in Washington State. Over 900 pickleball fans joined an almost sold-out T-Mobile Park crowd of 44,965 people, who cheered on the Mariners in a thrilling 3-1 victory over last year’s reigning World Series Champions on September 10th.

We didn’t just show up for a baseball game. Pickleball fans from Canada, eastern Washington and the Puget Sound area united for pre-game festivities on the rooftop deck, socializing with others they regularly see on the courts at a major sporting event. It certainly speaks to the elevation of pickleball in Washington.

Launched Pickleball License Plate initiative – Kate Van Gent, Frank Chiappone, and Amy Greger
Pickleball Central set up a demo court on the rooftop deck
Done with set up and ready for the fans!
Fans having fun pre-game
Dan and Katie testing out the GAMMA paddles
Does it get any better?
Pre-game funk on the rooftop deck
Riley and Lindsey Newman signing shirts for fans
Riley and Lindsey Newman with fans
Frank Chiappone, Riley Newman, and Kate Van Gent before the Group First Pitch
Kate Van Gent, Mariner Moose, and Riley Newman
Half of SMPA Board and Riley Newman in the background
PICKLEBALL NIGHT!!!

Professional pickleball athletes Riley and Lindsey Newman signed Pickleball Night t-shirts and snapped photos with excited and smiling fans. People dinked on the rooftop pickleball court (a few even tried for full games), demo-d Riley and Lindsey Newman’s signature Gamma paddles, entered the free two paddle raffle, got free coozies from our partner Pickleball Central, and signed Seattle Metro Pickleball Association’s state sport license plate petition. After all that excitement, fans took their seats and watched pickleball capture center field at T-Mobile Park when Riley Newman threw out the first pitch.

Riley Newman represented SMPA and threw the Group First Pitch.
Correction to the intro: Frank Chiappone is still the SMPA President!

Pickleball became the official state sport in March 2022. We think our state sport deserves a state license plate. The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association officially launched the Pickleball License Plate initiative on Mariners Pickleball Night, and is excited to be joining Senator John Lovick in this effort.

Please join our effort and sign the petition.

Sign now!

See you at the Mariners Pickleball Night 2023!

News

Mariners Pickleball Night Update

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date September 7, 2022

View seats overlooking home plate

9/9/2022 5:15 pm Update

Mariners just sent the Gameday Guide by email. They will open the gate 2 HOURS before game at 4:10 p.m. We will have more time on the rooftop!

Traffic advisory: All southbound traffic on Interstate 5 will be reduced to the left lanes and the West Seattle Bridge will be closed. Expecting lots of traffic so leave early and see you at the T-Mobile Park tomorrow!

https://www.mlb.com/mariners/ballpark/gate-bag-policy-faq

Update on Mariners Pickleball Night on September 10th, Mariners vs. Atlanta Braves. The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association’s Pickleball Night pre-game event is being held from 4:10 pm to 5:45 pm. Gates open at 4:10 pm. Raffle must be entered by 5:30 pm and the drawing will take place at 5:40 pm. The Rooftop Deck event ends at 5:45 so everyone has time to get to their seats before Riley’s first pitch!

Seventy-five main level Pickleball Night seats in section 115 were added the morning of September 7th after selling out over Labor Day weekend. Per Alexa Olague, Account Executive with the Seattle Mariners, this is the last batch of main level seats being released for Pickleball Night. Main level seats are $30.

View level tickets are still available. These $20 seats are just to the right of home plate and are a short walk directly from the Rooftop Deck where the pre-game pickleball event is being held. These seats have a view overlooking home plate and are located in sections 327 and 328.

The Seattle Mariners have 99% playoff odds and the stadium is expected to sell out. The last day to purchase tickets is September 9th. Call Mariners Account Executive Alexa Olague at (206) 346-4506 if you have any ticket questions. If you plan on driving, don’t forget to reserve a parking spot on mobile device apps like Spot Hero.

View seats overlooking home plate in section 329. Pickleball Night sections 328 and 327 are located just to the right.

Pickleball Night view seats still available. View seats are located in Sections 327 and 328, shown circled in red. These seats are a short walk directly off the Rooftop Deck where the Pickleball Night meet and greet, dinking court and raffle are being held. 75 main level seats in section 115 were the last batch of Pickleball Night main level seats released and are expected to sell out quickly. T-shirts are available for pick-up in section 339 until the third inning.

Don’t miss out on the magic of the special evening the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association has planned. In addition to a pre-game meet and greet with pickleball pro athletes Riley and Lindsey Newman, the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is hosting a two paddle raffle, a four-person dinking court and is partnering with Pickleball Central, who has a few special give-a-ways of their own. Did we mention the Rooftop Deck has breathtaking Puget Sound and Seattle skyline views? After the pre-game festivities, walk down to your seats to watch top professional pickleball athlete Riley Newman throw out the group first pitch.

Pickleball License Plate!

The Seattle Metro Association has one more special event planned that evening. We are launching the pickleball license plate bill initiative! We need 3,500 signatures to help make this happen. Come sign our petition at the SMPA booth.

The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association would like to give a special shout out to Senator John Lovick for being the legislator supporting this effort!

News

Mariners Pickleball Night

Post author By Kate Van Gent
Post date August 2, 2022

Come celebrate Mariners Pickleball Night with your host Seattle Metro Pickleball Association at a Mariners game! The Mariners play against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, September 10th at 6:10 pm at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Fans excited about the Mariners’ 14-game game winning streak sold out T-Mobile Park in July’s first game after the All-Star Break, so don’t delay. The rookie phenom and showman Julio Rodriquez continues to stun and delight fans, who chant his name at games. The Mariners recently acquired Luis Castillo, the best pitcher on the trade market.

The Mariners and pickleball, it seems, are on a roll.

Pickleball pro Riley Newman will be throwing out the first pitch! Riley Newman is the #1 ranked mixed doubles player, #2 men’s doubles player, 3 x major champ and 12 x PPA champ. But best of all, he’s one of our own, a home-grown Washington State, Whidbey Island native. Pickleball fans will enjoy a pre-game meet and greet with the dynamic duo Riley Newman and his sister and mixed doubles partner, Lindsey Newman, who won gold together at the 2021 Nationals.

Riley and Lindsey were born on Whidbey Island, Washington, and raised in a large family of five sisters and two brothers. They have been thrilling fans since 2017 with their visually stunning and well-coordinated defensive playing and are known for their signature backhand style.

A solid tournament player who consistently medals, Riley had a breakout year in 2022. He went undefeated at the PPA Atlanta Open in May, taking gold in men’s doubles against number one player Ben Johns and his brother Collin Johns, and gold in mixed doubles against Ben Johns and top female player Anna Leigh Waters. Riley won double gold at the PPA North Carolina Open in May in men’s doubles and mixed doubles, and gold in men’s doubles at the Orange County Cup in June.

Riley and Lindsey Newman, Gold medal winners at 2021 Nationals

Riley’s pro circuit tournament schedule is rigorous. He will be playing in 20 tournaments in 2022. When Riley is not touring, he connects with fans and the community by teaching pickleball camps and clinics throughout the U.S., usually with Lindsey. Lindsey recently took some time off from the pro circuit to welcome a daughter to her growing family.

Pickleball Central will be joining SMPA to host a mini pop-up pickleball court for demos with Gamma paddles. A SMPA on-site, no cost raffle will consist of two prizes, a Riley Newman signed signature Gamma 206 paddle and a Lindsey Newman signed signature Gamma paddle. Yes, that’s right, signed! Mariners Pickleball Night t-shirts are included with each ticket purchase, with a special logo created to celebrate this special evening of the Mariners and pickleball! This event is going to be lit!

For one night only, pickleball fans can watch the game and cheer from their own special sections when Riley throws out the first pitch. Specially priced tickets purchased through the link are available in Section 117 on the main level for $30 each. Upper-level view tickets are located in Sections 327 & 328 for $20 each. Section 116 has already sold out! Additional sections for Pickleball Night will added as seats sell. Want to purchase more than seven tickets? No problem, contact Alexa Olague, Account Executive with the Seattle Mariners at aolague@mariners.com or (206) 346-4506. Purchase 20 tickets or more to avoid a ticket surcharge and get your group name displayed on the scoreboard. The purchaser of 20 tickets or more gets two complimentary tickets to a 2022 regular season home game!

$2 of every ticket sold through this special offer will benefit the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association.

Bring your friends and family! Come have some pickleball fun and cheer on the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Hope to see you there!

https://www.mlb.com/mariners/tickets/specials/pickleball

Limited-edition Mariners-themed Pickleball T-shirt

Tags Mariners