Pickleball has taken the nation by storm, and here in New York City, we're along for the ride. 

For the uninitiated, pickleball is a racquet/paddle sport where two players (or four, for doubles) hit a perforated hollow plastic ball over a net using solid-faced paddles. Think badminton meets ping pong meets tennis, and you'll get the idea. (The sport has been around since 1965, originally created as a children's backyard game.)

Here's a listing of some (mostly) free outdoor courts in Manhattan:

Riverside Park has five courts at 110th St., which are used on a first come, first served basis, with waiting players rotated onto the court after each game.

Wollman Rink in Central Park has 14 courts, but it will cost you--$80/hour off peak (10 AM - 5 PM Monday through Thursday), and $120/hour at peak times (8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, and all-day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Reservations are a must.

James J. Walker Park right here in the Village at Hudson and Clarkson Sts, has two courts, first come, first served.

The Happy Warrior Playground at Amsterdam and 97th on the Upper West Side has one court and it's free, but BYON (Bring Your Own Net).

DeWitt Clinton Park in Hell's Kitchen (11th Ave. & 54th St.) has three courts, which operate on a first come, first served basis. BYON.

Carl Schurz Park at 86th St. and East End Ave. in Yorkville, on the Upper East Side, has three painted courts right near the water. First come, first served.

The William F. Passanante Ballfield at Houston and 6th here in the Village has 5 courts. BYON.

The Sol Lain Playground on the Lower East Side has 3 courts, and serves as a school playground so is only open after 3 PM when school is in session.

Did we mention that, aside from Wollman Rink, they're all free?

And it's okay! You can suck! (For reassurance see above: "children's backyard game.") The beauty of pickleball is it is accessible for everyone, regardless of their athletic ability.

Image via Andreswd/iStock