By SALINA POST
The Salina community is gearing up for the inaugural Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament set to take place on September 28, 2024, at Oakdale Park.
Participants must register by 11:59 p.m. today September 23, and entry fees will be collected on the tournament day. To register click here.
Guns and Hoses is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and deputies. This year marks the first year the organization will host a pickleball tournament.
Thie event organized to support young Tate Flax and his ongoing battle with Dravet Syndrome. Tate, who will be two years old in October, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome after genetic testing revealed a mutation in his SCN1A gene. This severe form of epilepsy has caused him to experience frequent, hard-to-treat seizures, leading his family on regular trips to Kansas City for medical treatment, including a recent surgery trip in June for a Vagus Nerve Stimulation implant.
The tournament features a lineup of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a beginner category, ensuring opportunities for players of all skill levels. Registration fees are set at $20 for participants 16 and older, and $10 for those under 16, with all proceeds going towards supporting Tate's medical and travel expenses.
The event starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, with teams competing in pool play to establish rankings for the single elimination bracket. Each team is assured at least three pool play games and one bracket game. Pool play matches are set to 15 points, requiring a win by two, while bracket games are best two out of three, played to 11 points, also requiring a win by two.
Teams will use Rock-Paper Scissors to decide the initial serve or court side. Self-officiating is expected, with the tournament director having the final say in disputes. All games will adhere to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, available for reference at the USA Pickleball website.
Prizes include $100 per team for winners in the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories, and $50 for the beginner division champions.
The event is sponsored by Oral Facial and Implant Surgery 785 Aesthetic Med Spa Rescue SpecialistsThe Cellar Wine & Whiskey Bar JRI Hospitality Great Plains Manufacturing Precision Electrical Contractors LLC Salina Professional Firefighters Local #782 Salina Urology Associates PA Jeff Wells Agency, Inc. - American Family Insurance Heritage Real Estate Advisors LLC First Alarm Heating & Cooling Ivey Locksmith and Security Messenger Clothing Company Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown Southern Heights Properties
Saline County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Mike Ascher and SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague stopped by the 910 KINA radio Studio to share more about the event during the Saturday Morning Show.
Ascher said in years past the organization hosted a friendly football competition between SFD and Saline County Sheriff's Office and SPD. The COVID-19 Pandemic caused the game to be canceled for 2020 and 2021, but why pickleball?
"It's just becoming so popular. I mean, there's YouTube channels, there's channels on TV that you can just watch pickleball tournaments," Sprague said. "It's fun to play if you've never played it. I tell you what it's not tennis, it's not racquetball, but it's a mixture. And it really is a blast."
To listen to the full conversation with Sprague and Ascher click here.