Heritage Pickleball Tournament draws 284 players from 19 states to Finley Center

The inaugural Heritage Pickleball Tournament at the Finley Center drew 284 players from 19 states to the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

The four-day tournament began Thursday with several clinics, and competition began Friday with singles matches. Saturday was for mixed doubles, and Sunday was for men’s doubles and women’s doubles.

The 83,000-square-foot competition area in the Finley Center was set up with 21 pickleball courts, 18 of which were for competition, said Jarick Rager, one of three tournament directors.

The players, which ranged in age from 14 to at least 74, competed in divisions based on skill level, age and gender.

If you’re not familiar with pickleball, it’s a mix between tennis, ping-pong and badminton.

Rager said many of the players were impressed with the Finley Center. It is larger than most places where pickleball tournaments are held, he said. Most facilities with pickleball tournaments max out at 12 courts, he said.

Organizers hope to return to the Finley Center next year, he said.