The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
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#069 Jan. 22, 2026 | Read on the web Creating space for women on the courtI have admit, I had to Google Galentine's day. Now it seems obvious:
Galentine’s Day is an unofficial, pop-culture holiday that celebrates female friendships. It’s typically observed on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s Day.
The term was popularized by the TV show Parks and Recreation and has since become widely used for:
- women-only social events
- friend-focused gatherings
- fun, low-pressure alternatives to Valentine’s Day
In the pickleball world, it usually signals:
- women-only play
- social, welcoming vibe
- no partner required
often includes small extras like drinks or refreshments
It is fun to see the number of women-focused pickleball events popping up around the Capital Region — from ladies’ Open Plays at Picklers to Galentine's at True. These events lower the barrier to entry, help build confidence, and give more women a reason to stick with the game. Happy Galentine's Day!
Upcoming TournamentsFeb. 21-22 | Cabin Fever Pickleball Tournament at Glens Falls YMCA March 21–22 | 3rd Annual Paddles in Bloom to benefit the Schenectady YMCA April 11–18 | US Open in Naples, Fla. June 5–7 | Dink for a Cure to benefit the Arthritis Foundation at Siena College June 13–14 | Flutters of Hope (rain date June 20–21) June 17–19 | Empire State Games (New York Senior Games) July 25–26 | 6th Annual Chuck Allen Memorial Tournament at Jenkinsville Aug. 29–30 | Mohawk Pickleball Club Summer Slam 3
True Moneyball Pickleball Series The next True Moneyball event will be held Sunday, Jan. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $35 per person, and players sign up as a team. The Jan. 25 event will feature men’s and women’s doubles divisions, with seven teams per division. Each Moneyball event contributes to a season-long points race, with points earned based on final placement. Participation in every event is not required, though additional events provide more opportunities to accumulate points. Divisions rotate throughout the year and include men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. At the conclusion of the season, the top six male players and top six female players in the points standings qualify for the True Pickleball Club Championship, scheduled for December 2026. Men’s division registration:https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Details/9234/15N9ZC99234964?resId=47617341 Women’s division registration:https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Details/9234/9QSQ2MK9234278?resId=47617369 Galentine's at TrueTrue Pickleball Club will host a Galentine’s Ladies-Only Open Play on Friday, Feb. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is open to all skill levels and is designed to provide a social, inclusive playing environment. The cost is $25 per person and includes open-play court access, one drink token, and light refreshments.https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Details/9234/14Z23TH9234961?resId=47272806 Valentine’s Day Partner Open PlayTrue Pickleball Club will host a Valentine’s Day Partner Open Play on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is designed for players who want to register with a preferred partner and remain paired together throughout the session. Participants sign up individually and compete as fixed teams in a relaxed open-play format. The cost is $35 per person and includes open-play court access, one drink token, and light refreshments. https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Details/9234/599YI8W9234720?resId=47224021
Drill sessions offered at FryeGuysFryeGuys will offer coach-led drill sessions on Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon, led by drill instructor Kyleen Dye. Additional details about these sessions will be shared soon. Self-led drill sessions will continue as well, with resource materials provided as a reference. These sessions remain $5 for one hour. Learn to Play Pickleball Program at Greenbush YThe Greenbush YMCA will offer a Learn to Play Pickleball program for beginners and players with little to no experience. Participants will learn basic rules, scoring, court positioning, and fundamental skills such as serving, volleying, and game strategy in a supportive instructional environment. Certified instructors will guide players through drills and game play, with an emphasis on sportsmanship, safety, and confidence on the court. All equipment is provided, and no prior experience is required. Dates: Feb. 15–March 8 https://operations.daxko.com/Programs/ProgramDetails.aspx?pid=3287426
Kids Pickleball Program (Ages 7–10) at Greenbush YThe Greenbush YMCA will host a Youth Pickleball program for ages 7–10 during February break, designed to introduce young players to the fundamentals of the game in a fun, active setting. Dates: Feb. 16–20 https://operations.daxko.com/Programs/ProgramDetails.aspx?pid=3287438 February Break Kids Clinics at TrueTrue Pickleball Club will offer kids clinics during February break from Feb. 16–20. The clinics are designed to introduce and reinforce pickleball fundamentals in a structured, age-appropriate environment, with instruction building progressively throughout the week. Participants will learn basic scoring, core shots and technique, and court movement and positioning. The cost is $35 per day, with registration available on a per-day basis. Sign up on court reserve.
New leagues and substitute opportunities at FryeGuysFryeGuys in Clifton Park will offer several league options over the coming weeks, including mixed and women’s play. An Intermediate Mixed League will run Tuesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m., beginning Jan. 27. The league runs for six weeks. Substitutes are needed for the Advanced Mixed League, which meets Mondays from 9 to 11 a.m. The league began Jan. 19 and runs for six weeks. An Intermediate Ladies League is scheduled for Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., starting March 11. This league will also run for six weeks. Sign up on CourtReserve or visit https://fryeguyspb.com/ Intermediate Ladder League (3.0–4.0) at Guilderland YThe Guilderland YMCA will offer an Intermediate Ladder League for players rated 3.0–4.0. The five-week league uses a ladder format in which players move up or down based on winning percentage and an established point system. Games are played to 9, win by 1. Instruction and oversight are provided by certified pickleball instructor Peter Bojarczuk. There will be no program on Feb. 20. Dates: Jan. 30–March 6 https://operations.daxko.com/programs/redirector.aspx?cid=3063&pid=99694&sid=3285869
Pickleball Obsession Podcast launched by local playerLocal pickleball player Tracie Hotchner has started a new podcast, Pickleball Obsession, focused on the questions recreational players actually ask as they try to get better at the game. Each episode is about 15 minutes long and tackles a single pickleball topic, with practical advice from certified coaches. The format keeps things focused and easy to digest, making it a good listen for players who want useful takeaways without committing to a long show. Tracie is based in Bennington, Vermont, but she plays often in the Capital Region. She brings a background as a journalist, radio host, and podcaster, and she approaches pickleball as a passionate recreational player herself. That combination comes through in the tone of the show — polished, approachable, and grounded in the everyday pickleball experience. Listen on:
I might not see you on the court for a few weeks. Even though I am a heavy user of sun screen and sun visors, I had some bad burns as a kid. I just had some skin - more than expected - scraped off my nose and consequently I'm not allowed to exercise while it heals. I hope to get back on the court soon. Until then, Cathleen
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Pickleball518: Pickleball news from Upstate New York
The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
Hello Reader, Registration is open for the 4th Annual Dink for A Cure Pickleball Tournament benefiting the Arthritis Foundation. The tournament returns to Siena University (under newly installed lights) as part of Arthritis Community Weekend. The weekend includes the Walk to Cure Arthritis, the pickleball tournament and a wellness expo, with more than 1,000 people expected to attend the weekend's activities. The pickleball tournament will have divisions for all skill levels, and age divisions...
#073 March 19, 2026 | Read on the web Dink for a Cure returns to Siena for fourth annual tournament weekend Dink for A Cure, a charity tournament to benefit the Arthritis Foundation, will return to Siena University June 5–7. More than 200 players are expected to compete across 16 indoor courts inside the Siena field house, with a full slate of team, singles, doubles and skinny singles events. The tournament continues to grow each year, with a wide range of skill and age divisions, including...
#072 March 5, 2026 | Read on the web Team competition planned for Dink for a Cure at Siena College Registration for the Dink for a Cure Pickleball Tournament benefiting the Arthritis Foundation opens next week. This year there will be both a team event (Friday night, June 5) AND a traditional tournament on Saturday and Sunday (June 6–7). The team event will take place Friday, June 5, from 5:30–9 p.m. Teams must have at least two men and two women, with up to eight players allowed per team....