Finley Stadium Looking to Cash in on Pickleball Popularity

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Pickleball continues to grow in popularity, and now players have the ability to play next to Finley Stadium under a roof.

Said player Kordell Hutzell: “Anybody can play any athletic ability. So, yeah, it’s very easy to get a game going.

Chattanooga has added new pickleball courts next to Finley Stadium at the First Horizon Pavilion, which are open

on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Said Finley Event Booking Manager Smantha Brennan “Our executive director had a really big push entry to utilize this space more throughout the week.And we know pickleball is very popular, a very growing sport, and there is a lot more demand for courts.So we thought we would try to hop on that bandwagon and see what we got. Initially, we were just kind of trying to hope to do it for corporate events, leagues, more organized play.But again, when we got that feedback of wanting open play and reservations, we thought we could try it out, see how it goes.”

Said Hutzell: “Having it here, it’s a very centralized location. Got the covering so we can play rain or shine.Some of our other leagues are at outdoor facilities that are affected by the weather, so having it here is perfect”

The courts allow more people to be introduced to the game.

Said Hutzell: “They’re here all day long. Obviously we come in a little later for this league in particular, but I think having that access, I’ve gotten questions pretty much every week of people walking by. They’re just curious about the league, curious about playing.So having those available is very nice.They can kind of play alongside us and then join in on the next league.

Said Brennan “That way, they do have the option to just kind of come and go as they please.Initially, we were not going to do open play, but then we did get a bunch of feedback about people requesting it, so we thought we’d try it out and see how it goes.”

If you haven’t played the game, a beginner tip is to stay out of the kitchen.

Said Hutzell: “Stay out of the kitchen.What’s the kitchen? What’s the kitchen is the area in the front where you’re not allowed to go unless the ball bounces in there first.You step in the kitchen during play before the ball hits it’s automatically the other team’s point.So, most importantly, stay out of the kitchen.”