Safety and Etiquette 

                                                 Bath Pickleball Club - Safety and Etiquette

Safety

• If you have any concerns about your physical ability to play Pickleball then consult your physician.
• Always think "safety." When needing to walk behind active players always wait for a stoppage in play.
• Never chase a ball on another court. Call "ball on court" to stop the play then retrieve the ball.
• Suspend play if the court becomes moist from rain.
• Never back pedal, rather turn or pivot to field the ball. 
• The PAO (Pickleball Association of Ontario) recommends wearing eye protection at all times. The Bath Pickleball club recommends that all members consider this advice seriously and take the necessary precautions to protect their eyesight.  There have been reported cases of eye damage resulting from a direct hit from a pickleball.  

Etiquette

• At all times be friendly, cheerful and introduce yourself to your partner and your opponents. Introduce yourself to guests and new members. 
• Always wear your Club Name Tag prominently.
• Use appropriate language at all times.
• Help with the setting up and taking down of nets.
• The first half of the non weekend play is "social play." Use and abide by the paddle system of queuing.
• During "social play" more experienced players should ask less experienced players if they want any coaching tips and abide by the inexperienced persons response. 
• During "social play" more experienced players should play at a level to challenge not overwhelm less experienced players.
• For the approximate last half of the session self organize as you wish for competitive play. Be respectful of "jumping the queue".
• Players call the lines on their side of the court. Do not dispute an opponents call on their side of the court.
• Each server to call the score prior to serving.
• At the end of the game, touch paddles with your opponents and thank them for the game. 

Paddle System Queuing
       1. At session start,  at the end of the first game, winners stay on the court and separate. Losers sit down and put their paddles in the
          paddle rack.
       2. As soon as you have played two games - win or lose, then you go off the court and put your paddle in the paddle rack. 
       3. This system applies regardless of the number of players sitting.

We do this as it "mixes" the players and it won't be just the same four players playing together.  We recognize that at times you will be tired and want off after just one game - no problem - just do it. There will be times when three or all four players will  decide to sit out. No problem- just do it.