The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
518: Pickleball for kids, Halloween events for adults, leagues and learn to play clinics
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#046 Oct. 24 2024 | Read on the web Kids play pickle tooThe rising number of programs for kids thrills me. Kids are the future of our game. Speaking of kids, my daughter drew this portrait of me. She nailed it. :) I am running the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving at Emma Willard on Nov. 23-25. It is a tournament for women (registration is open), but it also has events for kids: Big Turkey Little Turkey High School/College tournament
(FYI: I do not list the contact info for every program mentioned below. It is exhausting to do that for every blurb. If the venues send me a publicly accessible link to the program, I try to include it. Otherwise, I have a webpage that has telephone and web links for all the local venues. That link is at the bottom of every Pickleball518 newsletter, but here it is just in case you need it: https://www.pickleball518.com/list-of-indoor-pickleball-clubs-in-capital-region-of-new-york/) Parent/Child pickleball at TrueTrue is offering two six-week leagues for a parent and child, running Sundays from Nov. 3 through Dec. 15. Sessions for children ages 8 to 12 will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., and sessions for ages 13 to 17 will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $120 per team. Sign up on CourtReserve. Open to all partnerships M/M,M/W,W/W. Junior Pickleball Academy at SPORTIME SchenectadySportime has junior programs for pickleball on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Pickleball 101 for kids 7 to 10 at Clifton Park YMCA ages 7-10This class will teach kids the fundamental skills needed to start playing doubles pickleball, including a basic overview of the game, scoring, serving, and returning. The class is designed for beginners with no pickleball experience and will run from Nov. 14 to Dec. 19. Sessions will be held Thursdays from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The cost is $65 for members and $130 for non-members. College students play at LegacyLegacy is hosting Skidmore students every Saturday night from 5 to 7 p.m. and is looking to expand their college hours to UAlbany, Siena and Union College. After school at Bousquet SportBousquet Sport in Pittsfield, Mass., is holding an after-school juniors program Mondays and Thursdays starting Monday, Nov. 18. Kids can sign up for one session or both. For ages 8 to 11, sessions will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. and will cost $125 for one session or $200 for two sessions. For ages 12 and up, sessions will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and will cost $150 for one session or $225 for two sessions.
Tournaments coming to our area...FYI: You can find this list of tournaments every day at https://www.pickleball518.com/pickleball-tournaments-coming-to-ny-capital-region/. Bookmark the page! Nov. 2 & 3: Annual Support Our Heroes Tournament (registration is open) Nov. 9 & 10: The New York Amateur Open @ True Pickleball Club (registration is open) Nov. 23-25: 3rd Annual Thanksgiving at Emma Willard (registration is open) Dec. 6-8 Save the Date: Winter Classic Tournament @ Bousquet Sport Dec. 13-14 Pickle in the Land tournament in Cleveland, Ohio. I don't usually highlight tournaments that are so far away, but a very nice pickleball organizer from Cleveland, Ohio, reached out and asked me to share info about the Pickle in the Land tournament. His name is Bruce Noggle and he patiently navigated a spam-prevention call screening system that I didn't even know I had. He literally jumped through hoops to reach me and was still polite when he finally got through. Here is a link: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=b78a45d0-9843-439f-89ba-162c0ec6213f Use discount code BRUCE24 and save $5. If you go, let him know that call-screening Cathleen sent you. 2025 tournamentsJune 14 & 15, 2025 Flutters of Hope July 26-27 Chuck Allen
Halloween isn't just for kids...Halloween at Legacy Pickleball Club in Ballston Spa. Sportime Halloween Open Play Saturday October 26 (costumes are welcome!) There will be costume contest as well. Nov. 7 Chicken and pickleball at Southern Saratoga YMCAIncludes Brooks BBQ Chicken dinner:
Picklers offers $12 intro classesPicklers Pickleball Club in Menands is offering $12 intro to pickleball classes every Sunday morning. Lessons are held each hour from 9 to 11 a.m. After your lesson, you can stay and play. Did you see Pickler's TV ad? It ran during Saturday Night Live! https://www.facebook.com/reel/1118825803204052 Gina and Diego team up to teach 4th shotGina Family and Diego Lebron are teaching together. Their 4th Shot workshop at Hockey Hut on Oct. 26 is already sold out. But watch out for more from this teaching duo. Send a text to SportimeSportime has ongoing clinics and lessons. You can now send a text message to Sportime to find out about programs and sign up. Call or text (518) 535-9180.
Leagues are forming ...At Impact in Clifton ParkImpact’s winter ladder league is set to begin Friday, Dec. 6, and run through Friday, Jan. 31. Sessions will take place every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., with a break on Friday, Dec. 27. Currently, 55 individuals are registered, with a goal of reaching about 90 participants to allow for five players per court. Sportime offers DUPR sessions and round-robinsSPORTIME Schenectady is offering all-level open play Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at $10 for members and $12 for non-members. DUPR open play will take place on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. for those rated 3.0 to 4.0. DUPR sign-ups can be completed at the club, and scores will be input afterward. DUPR open play for players rated 3.5 and above is scheduled for Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and starting Thursday, Nov. 7, DUPR open play for players rated 2.5 to 3.5 will be available. "Get rated" DUPR round robins, events, and socials will be announced on Teamreach and social media. True Monday night leaguesTrue is launching Monday Night Leagues. They will have two divisions, 3.5+ and 4.0+ Mixed Partner. These will be replacing the MLP League for this season. MLP will relaunch in January. November 11- December 16 (6 wks total)
True has a few more spots in their other leagues too...
Bousquet Sport opening 6 indoor courtsBousquet Sport, just over the border in Pittsfield, Mass., will be opening 6 dedicated indoor pickleball courts soon. They hope to have them open by this winter and plan to have a bar serving beer and wine with two golf simulators nearby.
150 people compete in Bethlehem Pickleball Tournament and raise 23K for seniorsThe Inaugural Bethlehem Pickleball Tournament was held on Oct. 5, 2024 at the Elm Avenue Courts in Bethlehem, N.Y. More than 150 players competed in 13 events. The event raised more than $23,000 for Bethlehem Senior Projects Inc. You can read a full recap and see more photos in the story on Pickleball518. And the winners are… Mens Doubles Skill: (3.0 to 3.5) INTERMEDIATE IGOLD: Paul Rodhouse and Matthew Harding Mens Doubles Skill: (3.5) – INTERMEDIATE IIGOLD: Tony Suriano and Jason Matteson Mens Doubles Skill: (4.0+ ) – ADVANCEDGOLD: Gregory Dedrick and EJ Hakala Womens Doubles FIRST TOURNAMENTGOLD: Melissa Traupmann and Karen Miller Womens Doubles Skill: (2.5 – 3.0) – ADVANCED NOVICEGOLD: Dino Pressley and Amy Penzabene Womens Doubles Skill: (3.0 – 3.5) – INTERMEDIATE IGOLD: Maureen Krejci and Kelly Maginnis Womens Doubles Skill: (3.5) – INTERMEDIATE IIGOLD: Carolynn Zauner and Olivia Bruni Womens Doubles Skill: (4.0+ ) – ADVANCEDGOLD: Marina Metzold and Becky Kern Mixed Doubles FIRST TOURNAMENTGOLD: Amanda Monxhwedey and George Monxhwedey Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.0 – 3.5) – INTERMEDIATE IGOLD: Kelly Maginnis and Paul Rodhouse Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) – INTERMEDIATE IIGOLD: Ana Burke and Shaun Kelley Mixed Doubles Skill: (4.0+ ) – ADVANCED AGOLD: Victoria Garcia and Diego Lebron Perez Mixed Doubles Skill: (4.0+ ) – ADVANCED BGOLD: Heidi Kosh and James Mitchell
Tune in next time for some info about a court project in East Greenbush.
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The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
#053 April 10, 2025 | Read on the web Good pickleball, good causes and good fun Play pickleball and support a charity? That's a win for everyone. Several charities are holding pickleball events in the upcoming months. June 6-8: 3rd Annual Dink for A Cure at Siena College Siena's field house will be transformed into 16 pickleball courts in a team-style event to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Community Weekend includes an open play, wellness expo, Walk for A Cure and the...
Hello Reader, The 3rd Annual Dink for A Cure pickleball tournament is here! This year’s tournament is all about TEAMS – bringing friends, colleagues, and communities together for an unforgettable weekend of pickleball, wellness, and giving back. The pickleball tournament will be held June 6-8 at Siena College. The event is part of the Arthritis Foundation's Arthritis Community Weekend, which raises vital funds to support children and adults living with arthritis. The weekend includes a Walk...
#052 Feb. 27, 2025 | Read on the web My new pickleball venture: a national newsletter I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'd have some news about a new pickleball project I am working on. Here it is: PickleVisor When I started organizing pickleball events for players a few years ago, I was desperate for advice and guidance. I muddled through and figured things out. Whenever I met an experience tournament director or league organizer, I peppered them with questions. I'm still not an expert, but...