Once the sun goes down, the eight pickleball courts at Tempe Sports Complex fill up.
If you want to play, you stand your paddle by the gate to the court, sort of like putting a quarter on a pool table to play next.
My cousin Theresa likes it because she’s an introvert. “It takes the pressure off,” she said.
There’s no waiting to get picked for a team like in junior high, no horror of being chosen last.
Show up a few times and maybe not everyone knows your name, but they recognize you. “Wanna play?” someone always asks. It doesn’t matter if you’re alone, or with a friend or a foursome.