Pickleball popular with retirees
CRANBERRY TWP — Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “retirement” as the “withdrawal from one’s position or occupation or from active working life,” but for many, retirement means a life of freedom and not having to worry about going to work each day.
But how do you make sure you take advantage of all the free time you now have every day?
We asked some local retirees what they would recommend to those looking to optimize their newly acquired free time.
“If you are able to retire, do it,” is the first recommendation given by Bruce Mazzoni, 65, of Cranberry Township.
Some may need to continue working after retirement age for financial reasons, but some continue to work beyond the age the government or their employer deems as a requirement, perhaps out of a fear of boredom or “getting old.”
Mazzoni, a retired chemical engineer who lives in Cranberry Township, recommends keeping busy and using your time for good, such as volunteering for a nonprofit. He accomplishes both goals with the sport pickleball.
As co-founder and co-director of the Cranberry Township Pickleball Association, Mazzoni gets to enjoy watching a sport he has come to love become more popular each day — locally and nationwide.
On any given day at Graham Park in Cranberry Township, multitudes of senior citizens line up to play the sport and socialize with those with similar interests.
Mazzoni, along with three of his friends, plays for at least two hours three times a week at the courts in the park. Neighbor Barry Pile, 74, has been playing with Mazzoni for 11 years. The two met retirees Joe Matz, 58, of Cranberry Township, and Tim Andrle, 66, of Adams Township, through the sport and have built a friendship.
“Bruce and I started (playing) in Hawaii,” Pile said. The two also fish, and the foursome enjoys a round of golf.
“It’s a great social experience,” Matz said of pickleball. “It’s a tremendously social game.”
Mark Ruston, of Cranberry Towship, also is a volunteer with the association. Volunteering duties can include teaching beginners’ classes, running testing and repairing something on one of the 19 pickleball courts throughout the year.
No matter what the day, with 1,900 members of the organization, there always is something to do.
“On an average day, 80% of those using the court are retirees,” Ruston said.
Making sure to spend time with family was a tip that all of the retirees mentioned. Many combine their love of pickleball with family time.
“My grandkids, now 10 and 11, want me to bring them out here and play pickleball with them,” Pile said.
The consensus of the retirees at Graham Park is to enjoy your health, try new things, spend time with friends and family, and to get out there and have some fun.
More information on the Cranberry Township Pickleball Association, Graham Park and other events happening in Cranberry Township can be found at cranberrytownship.org.
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