The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
518: March pickleball: leagues, lessons and Palooza
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#071 Feb. 19, 2025 | Read on the webβ All kinds of options to play this springWhen I play in tournaments, I try to tap into my "beast mode." That's where I play my best. But last week, I scared my opponents with a new beastly feature: an infielder's mask. I wore the mask to protect the delicate skin left behind from minor skin surgery on my nose. My doctor advised not playing, but I couldn't resist. I definitely intimidated my opponents. π Spring programming is beginning to take shape across the Capital Region. From new daytime leagues to beginner clinics at local YMCAs and Ballston Area Community Center, structured opportunities are opening for players at every level. Competitive momentum is building with the Best of the Best 518 series rolled out by True, while even singles play is carving out its own space. This isnβt just more open play. Itβs intentional programming that gives players a pathway to improve and compete. Support Pickleball518 in 2026Pickleball518 has been published to your inbox for three years as a free resource for the Capital Region pickleball community. To continue producing the newsletter, support from readers like you will help make it sustainable. If you find value in Pickleball518 β whether through event listings, tournament listings or community updates β consider making a one-time $50 contribution to support the newsletter. Additional contribution amounts are available. https://www.pickleball518.com/product/support-pickleball518/β
Upcoming tournamentsFeb. 21-22 | Cabin Fever Pickleball Tournament at Glens Falls YMCA βhttps://operations.daxko.com/Online/2093/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?category_ids=TAG54091β March 21-22: 3rd Annual Paddles in Bloom to benefit the Schenectady YMCAβ April 11-18: US Open in Naples, Fla.β June 5, 6 & 7: Dink for a Cure to benefit the Arthritis Foundation at Siena Collegeβ June 13 & 14: Flutters of Hope (rain-date June 20 & 21) June 17-19: Empire State Games (New York Senior Games)β July 25- 26: 6th Annual Chuck Allen Memorial Tournament at Jenkinsvilleβ Aug. 29-30: Mohawk Pickleball Club Summer Slam 3β
Pickleball Palooza fundraiser for Breakthrough T1D at True Pickleball ClubTrue Pickleball Club will host Pickleball Palooza to benefit Breakthrough T1D, a nonprofit organization working to accelerate research toward cures and improve quality of life for people living with Type 1 diabetes. The event is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026, with open play from 5β8 p.m. Entry is $75 per person. The fundraiser will include refreshments and raffles. This fundraiser is being organized by some local pickleball people: Pamela Yunginger, Katie Marschilok, and Jane Harding. βhttps://www2.breakthrought1d.org/goto/pickleballβ Best of the Best 518 series at True Pickleball ClubTrue Pickleball Club in Latham will host the Best of the Best 518 series in March, bringing together top regional players in a multi-event qualifying format leading to a championship finals. Four qualifying tournaments will be held during March. Each qualifier will advance four men and four women into the Finals field. An additional four men and four women will receive automatic bids. Finalists will compete in gender-based round-robin play to determine overall standings and prize winners. Awards will be presented to qualifying winners, with grand prizes awarded to top finishers in the Finals. Email manager@playtruepc.com if interested.
Pickleball clinics begin March 4 at Guilderland YMCAThe Guilderland YMCA (250 Winding Brook Dr., Guilderland, NY 12084) will offer two Wednesday pickleball instructional programs beginning March 4, providing structured learning and guided play for developing players. The Beginner Pickleball Clinic runs March 4β18 on Wednesdays from 11:15 a.m.β12:45 p.m. and is open to those new to the sport. Cost is $30 for YMCA members and $60 for non-members. βhttps://operations.daxko.com/programs/redirector.aspx?cid=3063&pid=11080&sid=3300383β The Novice Pickleball Skills & Drills/Guided Play program runs March 4β18 on Wednesdays from 1β2:15 p.m. for those with basic experience looking to develop consistency and confidence through structured play. Cost is $30 for YMCA members and $60 for non-members. βhttps://operations.daxko.com/programs/redirector.aspx?cid=3063&pid=11080&sid=3300385β Learn to play pickleball programs at Southern Saratoga YMCAThe Southern Saratoga YMCA is offering youth and adult pickleball instruction this winter and early spring, with structured sessions designed for beginners in a supportive environment. Learn to Play Pickleball β Ages 7β10 runs March 5βApril 2, 2026, on Thursdays from 5:30β6:15 p.m. in Gymnasium C at the Southern Saratoga YMCA. The program introduces young players to the fundamentals of the game through age-appropriate instruction and skill development. βhttps://operations.daxko.com/programs/redirector.aspx?cid=3063&pid=96365&sid=3289172β Learn to Play Pickleball β Adult three-week starter series runs March 5β19, 2026, on Thursdays from 6:30β7:30 p.m. in Gymnasium C. The series covers basic skills, rules, scoring and on-court fundamentals in a structured learning setting for adult beginners. https://operations.daxko.com/programs/redirector.aspx?cid=3063&pid=3301084 Beginner pickleball lessons return to Ballston Area Community CenterBeginner pickleball lessons are returning to the Ballston Area Community Center this spring, led by instructor Kayla Benner. The six-week session is designed to give new players a structured introduction to the game in a supportive setting. The program runs March 6βApril 10 on Fridays from 10β11:30 a.m. at 20 Malta Ave., Ballston Spa. The cost is $75 for all six weeks, or $12.50 per class. For information: (518) 855-3261, Email: brian@ballstonareacc.org
Ladies 55+ morning leagues return to PicklersβPicklers Pickleball Club in Menands will launch a new session of its Tuesday and Thursday Ladies 55+ Morning Leagues, continuing one of the clubβs most popular weekly offerings. The Tuesday Ladies 55+ Morning League runs March 3βApril 21 from 10 a.m.β12 p.m. for eight weeks, plus a complimentary season-ending tournament. The cost is $125. The league uses six courts with 30 players and features 10 games per week (eight played, two sit-outs), totaling 64 games across the season. Championship T-shirts will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place finishers in the regular season. The Thursday Ladies 55+ Morning League runs March 5βApril 23 from 10 a.m.β12 p.m. for eight weeks, plus a complimentary season-ending tournament. The cost is $125 and follows the same format: six courts, 30 players and 10 games per week. Registration opens Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 8:15 p.m. Gold Members may call the club beginning Monday, Feb. 23 to register as part of membership benefits. https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Portal/Index/7973 New daytime leagues begin March 11 at True Pickleball ClubTrue Pickleball Club will launch two new daytime leagues beginning Wednesday, March 11, offering six-week structured round-robin play for intermediate and 50+ players. The Intermediate League (3.3β3.8) will run Wednesdays from 8β10 a.m. for six weeks at a cost of $120 per player. The format features balanced competitive matchups designed for players seeking consistent midweek competition. The 50+ Advanced Beginner/Novice League will run Wednesdays from 2β4 p.m. for six weeks at $100 per player and is designed for players age 50 and older seeking organized play in a relaxed but competitive setting.
Singles play gaining momentum at local facilitiesInterest in singles pickleball continues to grow across the Capital Region. The Clifton Park YMCA is promoting additional singles tournament opportunities, while the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center has dedicated courts on Monday evenings for singles-only play alongside doubles options.
I hope to shed the mask soon, but until then, I hope I don't scare you off the court! 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.
#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...