There's no better way to mark autumn's arrival than a festive day on the pickleball court.

After all, it’s going to get chilly soon in some parts of the country and playing America's fastest-growing sport outdoors simply won't be possible.

Before you pick up a paddle and start dinking, though, throw on your favorite athleisure set in black, burnt orange, or brown, any of the gorgeous fall colors.

Take a trip to a pumpkin patch

Visit a pumpkin patch or grocery store and pick out the most perfect pumpkin. Whether you like a perfectly round shape or one that’s got a few lumps and bumps, find the pumpkin for you. 

I went to my local Trader Joe's and selected a lovely round one.

Visit your local coffee shop for pumpkin spice fuel 

If you’re the first one to order a PSL (pumpkin spice latte) when it drops in mid-August, you know what to order. But, there’s no pumpkin spice pressure here. Order your drink of choice and get ready to hit the court. 

I ordered a pumpkin chai latte from La La Land.  

Get crafty in the kitchen

Flip on Pickleballtv and carve jack-o-lanterns with your new pumpkins or paint them to bring some fall vibes into your home. And if you really want to step up your game, try incorporating pickleball into your pumpkin décor.

As much as pickleball players stay out of the kitchen, take a step into the kitchen and bake a fall treat like a pumpkin loaf or apple crisp for fall fuel before you hit the courts. 

If you decide to carve a pumpkin, save the pumpkin seeds, and throw them in the oven with your favorite seasoning to bake a homemade fall snack. 

Play a spooky game of pickleball

Now that we’re energized and in the fall mood, it’s time to play pickleball. If you really want things to get spooky, play at twilight when the sun is going down and compete under the light of the full moon.  

For the autumnal occasion, I traded my yellow pickleballs for orange ones, and played with all-black paddles to really match the fall vibe.  

I did attempt to play pickleball dressed as a sheet ghost, but unfortunately the sheets were too thick. And when you can’t see the paddle, ball or anything else, you're out of luck. So, I don’t recommend playing as sheet ghosts, but it made for a lot of laughs. 

You’re probably better off wearing fun fall colors, sipping on a PSL, snacking on some pumpkin seeds between games, and playing a normal game of pickleball.

After all, pickleball can get pretty spooky if your opponents call your ball out when you could’ve sworn you saw it in.