The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
518: Holiday pickleball events and a grand opening
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#067 Dec. 11, 2025 | Read on the web Give the gift of pickleball this seasonThe best gift you can give this holiday is something pickleball related! If you have a friend who is interested in learning the game, give them a gift certificate for a lesson from one of our local coaches or some court-time at a local indoor venue. Our one-and-only pickleball store, Pickleball Galaxy, is open on Saturdays for the holiday season in addition to their normal hours. You can stop in at Pickleball Galaxy off Exit 10 in Clifton Park at 606 Pierce Rd, Clifton Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday or Saturday, Dec. 20. Their regular business hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also shop online at www.PickleballGalaxy.com. The Queensbury-based Dinkers and Bangers has re-launched their apparel line. Right now there is a buy-one-get-one-50 percent off deal for hoodies, https://dinkersandbangers.com/.
FryeGuys grand opening on Dec. 20Steve Frye has an opening date for his 3-court FryeGuys Pickleball Club at 1319 Route 146 in Clifton Park. The Grand Opening festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 20 followed by play until 9 p.m. You can find FryeGuys ...
Read more about FryeGuys here: https://www.pickleball518.com/steve-frye-to-open-a-pickleball-club-in-clifton-park/
Holiday round-robins at the Southern Saratoga YMCAFestive outfits are encouraged at the SSYMCA's Jingle Jam Round-Robin on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. There are divisions for under 3.5 and over 3.5. The Clifton Park Y is hosting its annual New Year, New You, Same Pickleball Addicition tournament. This is a one-day, gender-neutral event with skill and age divisions. https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/new-year-new-you-same-pickleball-addiction-2 True New Year's Eve Open playTrue Pickleball Club will host a New Year’s Eve Open Play event from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31 for players interested in closing out the year on the courts. The night offers extended play and light refreshments. The cost is $30. Register on Court Reserve. AllSports is Fort Edward announces Open PlayAll Sports Facility in Fort Edward is hosting Open Play for beginners from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The cost is $10 for 2 hours. The facility is also looking for interest/feedback on leagues. You can provide your input here. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YXR8FYQ The facility is located at 344 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12804. You can contact them at info@allsportsfacility.com and 518-338-3958. https://www.allsportsfacility.com/
Xtreme clinics by Ken Henderson3 Clinics at Xtreme Pickle in Amsterdam with Ken Henderson, IPTPA Master Teaching Pro on Sunday, Dec. 14: Advanced Beginner Clinic https://xtremepickle.podplay.app/community/events/d55252cd-e189-4fae-8e54-1260d951621f Low/Mid Intermediate Clinic (Levels 2.5–3.4) For players focused on the soft game: dinks, third-shot and fifth-shot approaches. Each shot will be broken into simple, repeatable steps with drills and games to reinforce learning. Serve and return technique and strategy included. Doubles play will be observed and critiqued to provide practical tips on positioning, teamwork and movement with a partner. Cost: $60 per player. https://xtremepickle.podplay.app/community/events/5c01942d-1c0d-4bc0-8c01-bb684cd69efb Mid Intermediate & Up Clinic (Levels 3.5–4.5) https://xtremepickle.podplay.app/community/events/481461d6-3c20-4ebb-897e-d34abcf824c9 Learn to play for kids and adults at Southern Saratoga YMCAYouth Program ages 7-10 learn to play 3 week session starts 1/15https://operations.daxko.com/programs/redirector.aspx?cid=3063&pid=96365&sid=3263441
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| Leagues |
APL going strong at Xtreme, Picklers and True
More than 100 players are competing in the APL. You can still join: https://www.vairified.com/amateur-league?ambassador=5717273
Divisional playoffs will be the 2nd week of March. Over $700 in prizes. Players must play 30 games and be vairified to be eligible for the playoffs.
| News |
An ode to women's pickleball
My friends Kyleen Dye and Jess Samplaski competed in the Thanksgiving at Emma Willard tournament last month. Kyleen is a coach and staff member at Better Pickleball, a nationwide instructional program. She wrote a blog post about the experience of playing with women. Her story captures the warm and supportive atmosphere that I try to create at all of my tournaments, especially at the Thanksgiving tournament.
Check out her piece:
https://betterpickleball.com/the-power-of-women-in-pickleball-why-womens-only-play-matters/
| Links |
- List of indoor pickleball clubs in Capital Region
- Map of pickleball courts in Greater Capital Region
- List of upcoming tournaments in Greater Capital Region
- List of pickleball instructors in Greater Capital Region
- List of pickleball social clubs in Greater Capital Region
| One last thing... |
Court-room pickleball drama
I was visiting my aunt at a rehab hospital and saw this episode of We the People with Judge Lauren Lake, a "real" TV courtroom series. In this episode, a pickleball player was suing her partner because he played so poorly in a tournament. It made more all the more grateful for the good sportsmanship that I see (most of the time) at tournaments around the Capital Region.
Enjoy the 7 minute spot on We the People...
I hope to see you on the court but not in courtroom!
Cathleen
| Connect with me |
- Send tips and pickleball news to Cathleen@pickleball518.com
- Follow on Facebook @Pickleball518
- Follow on Instagram @picklevisor
- Get on my "Player needed" list
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....