Yinz in Yellow! Jim's Top Court at The Putaway

While playing pickleball the other day, I began seeing the next group coming onto the court (when my session ended) donning yellow T-shirts with large YINZ emblazoned on them. Hmm... was my first thought. I knew several of the yellow-wearing T-shirt people passing by my court, but I was still playing until the final minute of the hour. Once off the court, I asked.

It was all Jim Wereszcznski's (I'm lucky I'm Polish and can pronounce his name!) idea. I learned this from Margaret Smith, a YINZ player of the Top Court format Jim has come to love and play (it's like King/Queen of the Hill, er, Court—winner stay, losers move down a court). Everyone coming onto the courts was in yellow except for Jim and one other player (a T-shirt is on order for her). I immediately grabbed my phone, took a few photos, and told Margaret I'd like to chat with Jim (I learned Jim and I had played a few games together early last year - but never played in his Top Court matches).

While the warm-ups were going on, Jim gave me the short version of what I witnessed on the courts (community and connection). You see, it all started when he was born and proudly raised in Pittsburgh, PA, where YINZ comes from. Yinz (most closely associated with Pittsburgh, PA) is a second-person plural pronoun used to address two or more people, similar to how people in the South might say “y’all” or, in some parts of the Northeast, say “youse." He graduated, joined the service, moved around the East Coast, and lived in Boston for a long time. While there, he earned a degree in cardiac sonography. After several years, he became a traveling echocardiographer (like a traveling nurse) and ended up in Maryland with a nine-month contract. Since he always wanted to learn the game of pickleball, he found The Putaway in Millersville, MD, and started playing in the sessions he could make around his work schedule.

In the meantime, friendly Jim met many great people playing pickleball. He extended his work contract in Maryland and, as previously mentioned, wanted to play more Top Court. So, he started renting one court for three others to play with him, which turned into two courts, and now up to FIVE courts—all to play Top Court! That is saying something.

I quickly learned that singlehandedly, Jim Wereszcznski is one of those rare people who doesn’t just play a game—he builds a community around it. From his roots in Pittsburgh to his travels as a traveling echocardiographer, it sure seems like Jim has always carried the spirit of connection, as we immediately connected, so that I could share this story with you! And, let's face it, at The Putaway, Jim didn’t just show up to play; he brought people together and continues to do so. His passion for Top Court has turned a simple pickleball session into something much more—a network of friends and players who look forward to the game as much as they do the camaraderie.

I am impressed by how Jim's creation (magic?) at The Putaway isn’t just about sports; it’s about Manufacturing Sunshine for others—helping build bonds of friendship long after the final serve. That, my wonderful blog readers, is what truly makes him notable.

bSoleille!

Terri

Photos: 1) Jim and Margaret Smith; 2) The Format; 3&4) Pickeleballers; 5) Bill, Jim, and me (I now want to play in Jim and Friends Top Court!)