The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
518: Covered courts open in East Greenbush and more local pickleball news
|
#075 April 23, 2026 | Read on the web Volunteering at the U.S. Open in NaplesI spent last week in Naples, Florida, at the U.S Open (Pickleball). I didn't get into the tournament to play but I volunteered on the court operations team. I don't quite understand why, but I enjoy it.
Every game is reffed at the Open. Last year, the refs reported the scores. They would walk off the court and go to a nearby hub where someone would enter the score on a computer. The tournament organizers realized the short one-minute walk added up to hours of precious tournament time when you consider there are 60 courts at the East Naples Community Park (60 courts at a county-owned park!!!) and thousands of games played over 7 days. So this year, the tournament assembled a fleet of volunteers to go straight to the ref at the end of a game and enter the scores on an iPad while still on the court. I entered scores, worked the desk at one of the hubs and helped troubleshoot problems - mostly wifi issues. The volunteers were great and the games were exciting. Here is a snapshot of what the court operation team did by the numbers:
Volunteers are critical for tournaments. If you would like to volunteer on a Pickleball518 tournament, you can fill out this form: https://forms.gle/kQ4nhwpo83kJbrCt8 My Pickleball518 tournaments are a little smaller. :)
Columbia Courts pavilion opens in East GreenbushColumbia Courts has opened four covered, outdoor pickleball courts at 40 Iroquois Place in East Greenbush, next to True Value Hardware. Courts are available through Court Reserve at a rate of $8 per player per hour. "We are trying to make it fun and accessible for everyone," said Bernadette Bennett, one of the owners. The facility operates under a pavilion structure with additional canvas panels planned along upper sections of the courts. A new bake shop, Grandma’s Hands Bakery, owned by Karen Gregory, is also expected to open in the main building. Karen is also a new partner in the pickleball venture. More contact info the the club: Team Reach group code: CCTSpickle1 I also updated the Pickleball518.com list of indoor(ish) venues with the info: https://www.pickleball518.com/list-of-indoor-pickleball-clubs-in-capital-region-of-new-york/ Westland Hills Park courts resurfaced and relined for pickleball playThe four tennis courts at Westland Hills Park in Albany have been resurfaced and re-lined to support both tennis and pickleball play. Photos are courtesy of an avid Pickleball518 reader who would like to remain anonymous. Pickleball lines have been refreshed too, with play using the existing tennis nets as part of the shared-use layout. The park is located at Colvin Ave, Albany, NY: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V8ogcAmTbrhNc556A
60 players have signed up for Dink for A CureJoin the fun! Registration continues from the Dink for A Cure to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. This 3-day tournament will take place on 16 courts at Siena University June 5-7. Below is a list of the teams registered so far. More teams are welcome. This is a Pickleball518 event. Register for the doubles and singles events here: There is a separate registration for the Friday, June 5, TEAM event (4 to 8 players with a minimum of 2 men, 2 women) Register from the TEAM event here: https://events.arthritis.org/dinkforacureny Questions? Email me at cathleen@pickleball518.com and I will answer them. Friday, June 5 — AfternoonMens Doubles Skill: (3.499 And Under) Age: (70 And Above) Mens Doubles Skill: (3.5 And Above) Age: (70 And Above) Womens Doubles Skill: (Any) Age: (70 And Above) Womens Singles Skill: (3.5) Age: (Any) Womens Singles Skill: (4.0 And Above) Age: (Any) Mens Singles Skill: (4.0 And Above) Age: (Any) Saturday, June 6Womens Doubles Skill: (2.5) Age: (49 And Under) Mens Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (50 And Above) Womens Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (50 And Above) Mens Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (49 And Under) Womens Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (49 And Under) Mens Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above) Womens Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above) Mens Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (49 And Under) Womens Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (49 And Under) Womens Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (50 And Above) Sunday, June 7Mixed Doubles Skill: (2.0) Age: (50 And Above) Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (49 And Under) Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0) Age: (50 And Above) Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (49 And Under) Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above) Mixed Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (49 And Under) Mixed Doubles Skill: (4.0) Age: (50 And Above) Sunday, June 7 — AfternoonMixed Doubles Skill: (Any) Age: (70 And Above) Womens Skinny Singles Skill: (3.5 And Above) Age: (Any) Mens Skinny Singles Skill: (Any) Age: (70 And Above)
Double H Ranch charity pickleball tournament returns to Picklers this Saturday (April 25)Picklers Pickleball Club will again host the Double H Ranch Charity Pickleball Fundraising Tournament on Saturday, April 25. Spectators are welcome! The event supports Double H Ranch, the Adirondack-based organization that provides year-round camp programs for children living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. All programs are offered free to campers and their families. Last year’s inaugural tournament raised $125,000. Picklers is again donating full use of the facility to support the event. Community members are welcome to stop by to watch the matches and take part in the day’s silent auction opportunities. Session 1: 8–10 a.m. Stand Up to Parkinson’s fundraiser planned May 1 at True Pickleball ClubStand Up to Parkinson’s will take place Friday, May 1, at True Pickleball Club with an afternoon and evening of activity supporting Parkinson’s research. The event begins at 3 p.m. with a Zumba class led by licensed instructor Nate Wood. Two open play sessions follow from 4–8 p.m., along with foosball and ping pong tournaments, live music from Sugar Pill, raffles, and giveaways. Food will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase. https://givebutter.com/stand-up-to-parkinsons-pickleball-fundraiser True Summer Kickoff Tournament set for May 29–31 in LathamTrue Pickleball Club will host its Summer Kickoff Tournament May 29–31 featuring youth and adult competition across singles and doubles divisions. Friday includes youth doubles divisions along with men’s and women’s singles. Saturday has gender doubles, and Sunday concludes with mixed doubles play. Medal awards will be presented across divisions, with cash prizes available in Moneyball divisions. Singles and youth divisions are $25 per event. All other events are $40, with multi-event discounts available by contacting manager@playtruepc.com. https://www.truepickleballclub.org Dink to Donate fundraiser on June 27 at Southern Saratoga YMCAThe Southern Saratoga YMCA (Clifton Park) will host its Dink to Donate fundraiser Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Participants can try their luck dinking balls into prize buckets while enjoying a free barbecue. Proceeds support the YMCA’s Running Start program. 10 balls — $10
Joy and Pickleball ice cream social planned May 2 at FryeGuysFryeGuys Pickleball will host a Joy and Pickleball ice cream social Friday, May 2, from 3–6 p.m. The event includes open play and an ice cream bar and is inspired by Pickleball Joy and Pickleball Therapy. Video messages from Pickleball Nikki and Tony Roig will be shared during the event. Cost is $10 per player.
FryeGuys beginner open play sessions scheduled weeklyFryeGuys Pickleball is offering multiple weekly beginner open play opportunities for players who are new to pickleball or just getting started. Wednesdays, 9–11 a.m. FryeGuys hosting practice sessions for Empire State Senior Games playersFryeGuys Pickleball is offering reduced-rate practice sessions for Capital Region players preparing to compete in the 2026 Empire State Senior Games in Cortland. Senior games practice sessions are scheduled Thursdays from 9–11 a.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. beginning April 23 and continuing through the second week of June. Players may also arrange additional team practices at the same reduced rate. Approximately 40 Capital Region players have already signed up for the senior games tournament.
Substitute players welcome for upcoming Wilton Pickleball Club league sessions at McGregor LinksSession I of the Wilton Pickleball Club leagues at McGregor Links Country Club is now full, with Sessions II, III and IV planned later this season. The club is welcoming substitute players at no cost, offering an opportunity for players interested in trying the league format to participate as openings occur. League play takes place Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. across men’s, women’s and coed divisions. Email wiltonpbclub@gmail.com New league session begins week of May 13 at True Pickleball ClubTrue Pickleball Club will begin its next eight-week league session the week of May 13 with multiple evening and daytime options available across several skill levels. Low intermediate — Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m. ($199) Limited space remains in select leagues. https://www.truepickleballclub.org
VAIR featured in "The Kitchen"The Kitchen newsletter featured the VAIR rating system, built by Mike Barker. You can read the story here: https://thekitchenpickle.com/blogs/news/vair-pickleball-rating-system-how-it-works FryeGuys introduces updated spring pricingFryeGuys Pickleball Club in Clifton Park has introduced updated spring pricing for open play and private court reservations. The new rates apply across several booking formats as the club transitions into its spring schedule.
This fun bloopers reel from True reveals something importanthttps://www.facebook.com/reel/1200276702038024 Ok, this video is hilarious and well-produced but it also a BIG REMINDER that balls can strike your eyes from many unexpected places. The most dangerous shots often come from your own partner. Fortunately, it looks like no players were significantly injured in the making of this video, but if you are still not wearing eye protection, you are an idiot. Oops, did I say that out loud? I hope to see you on the court (with protective eyewear), Cathleen p.s. Don't forget to ...
|
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.
#078 June 11, 2026 | Read on the web Thank you to so many helpers... It takes a village to run a pickleball tournament, especially at a venue not designed for pickleball. I am very grateful to all the volunteers who made the Dink for A Cure possible. Last weekend's events, which included the Walk for A Cure, raised more than $75,000 for the Arthritis Foundation. You can find a list and photos of the pickleball medalists here and photos from the whole weekend here. I am deeply grateful to the...
#077 May 21, 2026 | Read on the web Pickleball Galaxy tent sale coming in June This week's newsletter has an absurd about of info in it ranging from summer deals at indoor venues, leagues & tournaments looking for players, amazing photos from the Quad State Tournament last weekend in Vermont so keep reading. Let's start with a save-the-date: Pickleball Galaxy at 606 Pierce Road in Clifton Park will hold a two-day Tent Sale on June 9-10 featuring discounts on paddles, shoes and clothing. The...
#076 May 7, 2026 | Read on the web Video covers the basics for first-time tournament players I had played pickleball casually a few times, but in 2019 I competed in a little tournament at Pickle in the Park in Northville, NY, and from that moment, I was HOOKED on pickleball. Tournaments are a blast, but playing in your first one can be a little intimidating. So, YMCA Tournament Director Jennifer Kendrick, myself and pickleball ref KK Kear held a Zoom webinar to help explain what tournaments...