Pickleball is a fun sport for anyone of any age (including over 60)! Pickleball is a racket game similar to tennis but played on a smaller court. Adult Pickleball for age 18+ is played in the First Friends Church gym. Open gym format, all are welcome. Instructions are available, equipment provided. No fee or registration required for Open Pickleball Mon, Wed and Fri.
2025: Beginning Jan 6 Adult Open Pickleball will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, 9am-12 (Noon). There will be some cancellations during the year due to church/sports activities. No pickleball in August or December.
NOTE: NEW DAY AND FEE FOR SHOOTOUT! 2025: Beginning January 9, 2025 Shootout will be on Thursdays from 9am-12Noon utilizing all six courts. No Shootout on Mondays. Individual fee of $5.00 to participate. Pay at the Shootout with cash/check made payable to First Friends Church.
The shootout will begin again January 9 at First Friends Church. It takes place every Thursday with registration being on Sunday mornings at 845am. We will be using the Pickleheads app for both registration and administration. We tested it for administration in November, but this will be the first time using it for registration. For those that have not participated in it before, the shootout is a format of Pickleball that promotes competitive matches with similarly skilled players. It is recommended for intermediate level players and higher. A $5 donation will be collected that will be donated to First Friends. If you would like to play in the shootout, follow the below directions to join the First Friends group on
There is an online sign up process. Those that sign up for the shootout can arrive by 9:00 am to warm up. The devotion will be at 9:30 and play will be immediately following. The first step is to join the ‘First Friends Pickleball on GroupMe’. See link below to join. Details on how to sign up will follow in the First Friends GroupMe chat as it becomes closer.
Pickleheads. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2025!! 
Download the Pickleheads app
Click “get started”
Click on “next” through directional screens
Enable location if you choose to
Click on top left profile pic or “create an account” icon
Click on “new here? Sign up”
Click “create account”
Create your account with your credentials
Click on “groups” icon at bottom of app.
Click on search box to find a group
Search FF shootout crew
Click on photo of group
Click on “request to join”
That is all you need to do. Once your request to join is approved, you will get weekly invitations to register for the shootout.
Please contact Leurene Hildenbrand to receive cancellation notifications. Email: leurene.mail@gmail.com
Weather Cancellation Policy: When Plain Local Schools are closed or have a delayed start, then all Pickleball activities at the church are cancelled.
Director: Leurene Hildenbrand, National, Ohio & Canton Hall of Fame Senior Olympian
Questions? Call Sports Office at 330-966-6868 or Welcome Desk at 330-966-2800 or email sports@firstfriends.org.
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