Hannibal Parks & Recreation is offering Drop-In Pickleball on Tuesday evenings starting Nov. 10.

The Drop-In Pickleball program will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center through Dec. 8. Each participant must pay $3 per night.

Courts will be designated for competitive, intermediate and leisure players.  Players are welcome to “drop in” and play games.  Four players start on a court; when a game is complete, the winners will remain on the court and separate. The losers will go to the bench. Two new players from the bench will join the new game. This system allows people to play with new partners.

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong using a paddle and plastic ball with holes. It is a game that is appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels. Rules for pickleball are simple, making it a great introductory sport. It can also be quite the challenging, fast-paced, and competitive game when people become more experienced at playing.

Jenna McDonald, recreation supervisor for Hannibal Parks & Recreation, said the popularity of pickleball in Hannibal keeps increasing. “Whether you’re a beginner who just wants to learn a new sport for fun, or you’re a seasoned player who craves the thrill of more competitive play, pickleball offers something for everyone.”

McDonald said because the pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court, gameplay allows players to be close enough to one another that they can hold conversations. “If you’re looking to bond with your family or have an outing with friends, pickleball makes it easy to do just that while also giving you the ability to fit in a fun workout.”

More information about Drop-In Pickleball is available by calling 573-221-0154 or by visiting www.hannibalparks.org