You might have seen his story in the latest issue of the Baytown Voice, but there’s more to know about Oscar Trevino. But first, let’s learn more about his love for pickleball, one of the country’s hottest sports.
“Pickleball is only going to get bigger,” he said.
Pickleball is a sport, invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard and two of his friends. The game is similar to tennis, ping pong, and badminton. It also uses a plastic ball with holes in it. The goal is to hit the ball with paddles until you can’t return the ball over the net or commit a rule infraction. The best part about the game is that it’s perfect for every age and skill level.
Oscar, an avid tennis player, loves Pickleball now, but wasn’t sure the first time he was introduced to it. It happened while taking his granddaughter to tennis practice.
He said, “I took her to her lessons in Clear Lake and a guy mentioned pickleball to me. He said he was playing here in Baytown. I was playing tennis at the time and wasn’t sure about the game.”
Another thing you should know about the game is that the area close to the net is fondly called the kitchen, a place you can’t step into before the ball bounces.
“The only thing I knew about the kitchen was my kitchen at home,” he added.
Without any experience, Oscar showed up to the Community Center to try playing and he hasn’t stopped since.
He said, “I started learning the game and made a lot of mistakes. I just kept on playing and I guess I started getting a little bit better with each game.”
Oscar, who is in his 70’s, is proud to be playing with younger players and those who are young at heart. He credits the Baytown Parks and Recreation Department for thinking outside of the box to bring more options for seniors.
“They always take care of us. We have to encourage people of my age to stay active,” Oscar said. “A lot of these people, if they were not playing, would be watching TV at home. Then they come around, make friends, you’re moving around and exercising.”
“Life is not easy. We all have problems, but when you have a good time, you forget about all of these things,” he said.
After catching the pickleball bug, Oscar started playing in tournaments. The levels of competition continued to increase and eventually Oscar encouraged himself to play in the 2023 Senior Games, the biggest competition for seniors.
He said, “I had actually played it (Senior Games) before, but for tennis. I had hurt my shoulder and always wanted to come back and compete in the games again.”
This time Oscar came home with two medals. One of them was gold.
“It tells you to never give up,” he said.
While he was there, he met Joyce Jones, the Queen of Pickleball.
Oscar said, “I didn’t know who she was, but people started coming up to her and then I found out she was a celebrity.”
Joyce, who is 93-years-old, is a legend in the game who learned the game from the inventor. Oscar and Joyce became quick friends at the games.
“The next thing I know we are talking and staying at her daughter’s timeshare,” Oscar said.
In fact, it was there where Joyce told him how the game was created.
He said, “Joyce said they were at a Seattle park or a place over there and had put up a net. They had a little ball and paddles. Well, the Prichard’s little dog would chase the balls and his name was named Pickles. They said that’s a good name and went with Pickleball.”
Back in Baytown, the game that started in Seattle continues to grow. Pickleball is currently played inside the Community Center and at two new courts at N.C. Foote Park. The game is expected to expand from there.
Lauren Siple, Athletic Programs Coordinator, said, “I want to continue to see this sport grow and would encourage people to come and learn something new while making memories and new friends along the way.”
While the outside courts are open during park hours, the competition at the Community Center happens on Mondays and Wednesdays.
“I can’t say enough about the pickleballers that come out and play. They’re tremendous people,” Oscar said.
And who knows.
He said, “There’s no place like Baytown.”
Maybe you will run into Oscar in the process.
Oscar ended with, “I'd be more than glad to work with anybody. I mean, I'm not saying that I'm that good. You know, but yeah, I can hit the ball back.”
To read more about what the City of Baytown has to offer, visit the digital version of the Baytown Voice and visit baytown.org.