Tim Asoklis of Shelby Township played baseball in his youth and other sports throughout his adult life but after retiring from his job as an engineer for General Motors he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.

His wife suggested pickleball.

“I said, ‘No way. That’s for old people,’” Tim said, with a grin knowing how silly that sounds now that he’s joined the movement of older adults fueling what is still the fastest growing sport in the United States.

According to a report by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) since 2022, pickleball has grown 51.8% and an incredible 223.5% in three years, with every single age group seeing increased participation.

Tim Asoklis of Shelby Township returns a serve on the pickleball courts at Pitchford Park in Macomb Township, which is one of se

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