The state’s largest pickleball tournament, the third annual Metro 911 Serving for Safety Pickleball Tournament, begins this Friday at the Nitro Athletic Complex in Kanawha County. The event runs through Sunday and draws players from 15 states, including professional athletes Susannah Barr and Dominic Catalano from Boise, Idaho.
A Growing Pickleball Event in West Virginia
Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, and so does this tournament. Organized by Johnny Rutherford, the event is now the biggest pickleball competition in West Virginia, attracting nearly 300 players this year. Rutherford praised the Nitro Athletic Complex for its excellent facilities and support.
“It’s great, Nitro has done a great job, they put a great facility in for us, they have a lot of team people that help us put this tournament on, it’s grown every year, we’re up to almost 300 people this year.” – (Johnny Rutherford)
The tournament will also be the first to use the complex’s new indoor pickleball courts. Nine of the 17 courts at the venue are now covered, making it the largest indoor pickleball facility in the state.
Tournament Details and Prizes
Matches begin Friday at noon with Pro Singles, following the unveiling of the new indoor facility at 11:30 a.m. Saturday features Women’s and Men’s Doubles, and Sunday includes Mixed Doubles.
Players can compete individually or as teams. The total prize money is $20,000. Open Doubles winners receive $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, and $500 for third. Singles winners get $1,500, $750, and $250 respectively for first, second, and third place.
This tournament is MMP Sanctioned by USA Pickleball, meaning all medal matches will be officiated by referees.
“It’s encompassing the area outside of West Virginia all the way to Idaho, and we have quite a few pros coming in this year from all over the country.” – (Johnny Rutherford)
Pro Players and Community Engagement
Dominic Catalano, a 24-year veteran and commentator for the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Professional Pickleball Tour, works with ESPN and CBS Sports. He prepares thoroughly for broadcasts, watching and analyzing hundreds of players.
“I prep the same, I watch a lot of pickleball when I’m not on the venue or on site, so I have a lot of notes and a lot of scouting reports for probably over 200 players.” – (Catalano)
Catalano and Susannah Barr hold clinics during the tournament to teach skills and encourage new players. Barr highlighted the fun and community spirit of pickleball.
“We love coaching and so we’re excited to be able to come back here and share some of our knowledge with the players and just help grow everybody as players, and we try to make it a lot of fun as well.” – (Susannah)
Barr described pickleball as a mix of tennis and ping-pong that is easy to learn but hard to master. She said its social and physical benefits have driven its fast growth.
“It’s easy to learn, it’s hard to master, but it’s just a lot of fun, and I think that’s the biggest appeal, you can go out and play with your grandparents, you can play with your friends.” – (Susannah)
There will also be free, open pickleball play available during the tournament. This event highlights the growing popularity of pickleball in West Virginia and beyond.
With players from many states and pros attending, the tournament helps boost interest and community involvement in the sport. The new indoor courts promise a better experience for players and spectators.
News in Brief: Metro 911 Serving for Safety Pickleball Tournament
The Metro 911 Serving for Safety Pickleball Tournament starts Friday at the Nitro Athletic Complex, Kanawha County. Nearly 300 players from 15 states, including pros Susannah Barr and Dominic Catalano, will compete. The tournament features $20,000 in prizes and will debut the state’s largest indoor pickleball facility.
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