Pickleball at ECU: As spring brings warmer weather to East Carolina University, more students are hitting the public pickleball courts at Elm Street and Pirate Cove. With games in high demand, a paddle stacking system is being encouraged to manage rotations fairly and reduce long wait times.
Crowds Growing on Campus Courts
Pickleball has become more popular each year at ECU. On sunny days, all courts are packed, and many players wait behind the fence hoping for a chance to play. Some even move to nearby tennis courts, despite those lacking a proper pickleball setup.
“It’s never a fun experience for any players wanting to play a couple of games, but have to wait hours for a free court,” one player said.
How Paddle Stacking Works
The paddle stacking system offers a fair way to manage court time. Players place their paddles in line on a designated rack to show who’s next. If playing doubles, both partners stack their paddles together.
“This symbolizes that once a game finishes, the next two paddles, or the next four if you have that many players, will rotate into that court,” the player said.
Players coming off the court can rest or place their paddles back in line to play again. The system creates an organized, first-come, first-served rotation.
Different Courts, Slightly Different Rules
Some locations use a version of this system where the winning team stays on the court, and new players rotate in on the losing side. Players can learn these details by asking others at the court.
“Despite different variations, the basic rules remain the same and you can determine the details of the system by simply asking around.”
The system mainly supports doubles, but single players can also use it. They can either pair up with someone else or join a group of four.
“If you are a single player looking for a court, you can either ask to rotate in with a group of four or wait for another single player to stack paddles with you as your partner on the rack.”
Why the System Matters
Many courts now have paddle racks installed to support this system. At Elm Street and Pirate Cove, these racks are already in place.
“The next time you go to the pickleball courts on Elm Street or Pirate Cove, look for the paddle holders on the fences because they weren’t put there for no reason.”
Following this system ensures fair play and shorter waits. It also helps avoid confusion and frustration among players.
“It will fix the headache of waiting hours for a group to leave and having to keep a close eye on which court will open up first in hopes of beating other players doing the same.”
News in Brief: Pickleball at ECU
Pickleball courts at ECU are busier than ever this spring. A paddle stacking system is being encouraged to manage player rotations fairly. The system helps reduce wait times and ensures equal play. With racks already installed, Elm Street and Pirate Cove players are urged to use them for smoother court sharing.
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