#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 events for players age 70 and older.

The weekend is part of the Arthritis Foundation of Northeastern New York’s Arthritis Community Weekend, which draws more than 1,000 people for a combination of pickleball, the Walk for a Cure and a wellness expo, along with vendors, raffles and food.

Friday night’s team event (June 5) sets the tone for the weekend, offering a fast-paced, social format for groups of 4 to 8 players, including friends, clubs and corporate teams. Traditional doubles play follows on Saturday, with mixed doubles and skinny singles wrapping up the schedule on Sunday.

Team event: Friday, June 5, 5:30–9:30 p.m. (Separate signup)
Mens and Womens Doubles: Saturday, June 6
Mixed doubles: Sunday, June 7
Skinny singles: Sunday June 7, afternoon

Early bird registration is $45, which ends on April 1. Register on Pickleball Brackets.

https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/4th-annual-dink-for-a-cure-pickleball-tournament-for-arthritis-at-siena-university

REGISTER

March Madness

Pickleball Madness around the Capital Region

March Madness is showing up across the local pickleball scene this year, with multiple clubs running bracket challenges, themed events and tournament play tied to the NCAA tournament. Some of these events involve playing pickleball and some entail picking the college basketball teams. (When I first read about these NCAA Bracket challenges, I assumed it involved playing pickleball. I have a one-track mind.)

>> FYI: You can find contact info for the indoor venues here: List of indoor pickleball clubs in Capital Region

Picklers Pickleball Club bracket challenge

Picklers is hosting a free, members-only NCAA Tournament bracket challenge with prizes including open play time, club merchandise and a paddle giveaway. You have to beat Gary's picks to win.

If you missed the deadline to create a bracket, Picklers is offering a second chance to get in on its March Madness promotion, with a paddle giveaway tied to on-court play.

Players earn entries into a drawing for a CRBN 3 X-Series paddle by participating in open play or reserving private courts during the tournament window.

Open play: One entry per session
Private court reservations: Four entries per session
Timeline: Through April 6 (NCAA championship game)
Drawing: April 7 at 6 p.m.

More play equals more entries, with no bracket required to participate.

Capital Region bracket challenge with True Pickleball, Lia Auto Group and The Bunker

A regional bracket challenge includes prizes ranging from pickleball gift cards to cash, a Big Green Egg grill, a 65-inch TV and a chance to win a 2026 vehicle. https://www.liacars.com/lia-bunker-bracket-challenge

Sportime Capital Region March Madness specials

Sportime is running themed programming throughout the tournament, including drills, organized play and bracket-style events tied to March Madness.

Xtreme March Madness member–guest tournament

Xtreme is hosting a multi-week member–guest tournament with round robin play and single-elimination brackets across multiple divisions from March 20 through April 11. https://www.bounce.game/event/e3ae0582-bf77-44d0-97d1-210559254503

Events

Frye Guys and Adapt Fitness launch pickleball performance programming

A new collaboration between Frye Guys Pickleball Club and Adapt Fitness of Clifton Park is introducing programming focused on performance, movement and injury prevention for pickleball players.

A free introductory workshop will be held March 27 at Frye Guys, featuring fitness screenings, warm-up development and pickleball-specific training. The session is led by Jonathan Abbatiello and Cassara McCarty of Adapt Fitness.

Adapt Fitness is also launching an ongoing training program beginning March 31, with sessions focused on mobility, strength, stability and sport-specific power development.

Workshop: Friday, March 27, 4–7 p.m. (drop-in)
Training program: Begins Tuesday, March 31
Cost: $15 per class for training sessions

Zumba and pickleball event returns to True Pickleball

True Pickleball will host a Zumba and pickleball event April 12, combining a fitness class with open play. The event begins with a Zumba session from 10 to 11 a.m., led by certified instructor Nate Wood, followed by pickleball open play from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The event is $10 and is open to players of all skill levels.

https://www.courtreserve.com

Leagues

Wilton Pickleball Club announces spring DUPR leagues

Wilton Pickleball Club will host its Session I DUPR leagues at McGregor Links Country Club, offering structured round robin and ladder play for players looking for consistent weekly competition.

Men’s and women’s leagues: Tuesdays, April 21–May 19, 5:45 p.m.
Coed league: Wednesdays, April 22–May 20, 5:45 p.m.
Location: McGregor Links Country Club, Wilton
Cost: $40 for members, $65 for non-members

Registration opens March 24 for members and March 25 for non-members.

https://playpass.com/go/Aw68tsb (This link will work on March 24)

Kids

Frye Guys announces youth programs and summer camp

Frye Guys is expanding its youth offerings with ongoing programs and a summer camp scheduled for late July.

A weekly high school hangout provides dedicated court time for teens, while a multi-day summer camp will introduce younger players to the game in age-based sessions.

High school hangout: Thursdays, 3–5 p.m. (ages 13–18)
Summer camp: July 27–31
- Ages 8–10: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Ages 11–14: 1–4 p.m.
Cost: $100 per week

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv8_hexEJ7fu9EUi6dsHxVm6R9JhW4SnPt2iYqZ6Lp91xG8Q/viewform

Saratoga Springs to launch teen pickleball league at East Side Rec

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department is introducing a weekly teen pickleball league this spring, offering structured, game-based play for younger athletes.

The league is designed to give teens a chance to compete with their peers in a supportive environment, with rules review and light instruction at the start of each session followed by match play.

When: Thursdays, April 23–May 28, 7–8:30 p.m.
Location: East Side Recreation Park, 226 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs
Format: Weekly league play with instruction and games

http://www.saratogarec.com

True Pickleball announces April break youth camps

True Pickleball will host April break camps featuring two-hour sessions designed for players of all skill levels, with flexible scheduling throughout the week.

Dates: April 3 and April 6–10
Format: Two-hour sessions (times vary)

https://www.courtreserve.com

News

Picklers introduces 4.0+ women’s open play

Picklers Pickleball Club has added a dedicated open play session for advanced women, providing consistent, competitive play for higher-level players on Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. Sign up on Court Reserve.

True's Best of the Best 518 qualifiers produce first finalists

The first qualifying events for the Best of the Best 518 have concluded, with two players earning spots in the finals tentatively scheduled for April 12. In the men’s division, Ed K. finished 6-1 to earn his place in the finals, narrowly ahead of Greg D. and Dan L.

I managed to advance to the women's final after a three-way, 5-2 tie with Deb M. and Jess S., winning by a slim one-point margin based on points earned. The competition was outstanding.

Additional qualifying events are scheduled for March 25, March 27 and March 29. It is an interesting format where you play 7 games with a new partner each game. Register on Court Reserve.

Links