#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 volunteers who helped run pickleball operation: Dan and Melissa Arnold, Deb Waddell, Diane Keller, Jen Hedden, Jess Samplaski, Jim Fitzgerald, Judy Klapp, Karen Aveyard and son, Kate Tymeson, Kenneth Knepper, Kevin and Donna Henchy, Lisa Artino, Lori Koopman, Maggie Evans, Mark Compton, Mary Hilliard, Mary Pat and Ken Knepper, Nan Lanahan, Nora Owens and Susan Poison-Dollar. If I missed someone, I am sorry! There was a shirtless college student (Brody?) who we grabbed from the weight room to help move 16 nets into place.

Thank you to Rainbow Doemel of the Arthritis Foundation and Jaime and her Ava Strong crew who helped on the raffle desk and check-in table and even helped remove tape from the gym, and Brandon Sleight of Pickleball Galaxy and all the staff at PBG.

I truly couldn't do it without all of you. If you want to help at the next Pickleball518 tournament, fill out this 1-minute form.

We took this photo after we packed my car from top-to-bottom and end-to-end with pickleball nets, computers, balls, towels and equipment. A second car followed me home with all the raffle items that needed to be dispersed. Having so many helpers made it easy-ish.

Tournaments

Bousquet Summer Slam still has openings

This weekend's Bousquet Sport (Pittsfield, Mass.) Summer Slam Moneyball Tournament is still accepting registrations in several divisions.

Players can expect round robin play followed by playoffs, tournament gifts for the first 100 entrants, raffle prizes including DAPS shoes, $50 Bousquet Sport gift cards for division winners and cash prizes in Moneyball divisions.

https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/bousquet-sport-summer-slam-moneyball

Bolton Free Library tournament returns June 20-21

The Bolton Free Library will host a Round Robin Pickleball Tournament on June 20 and 21 at Rogers Park in Bolton Landing.

Women's doubles will be played Saturday morning, men's doubles Saturday afternoon and mixed doubles on Sunday. Players do not need a partner, and proceeds benefit the Bolton Free Library. Contact tournament director Linda Breen at LLbreen330@yahoo.com or 570-977-3310.

Events

FryeGuys hosts first club championship

FryeGuys Pickleball Club will host its inaugural Club Championship on Tuesday, June 30, from 6-9 p.m.

The members-only event will include pickleball competition along with "brain teasers, feats of strength and other activities." Members includes paying members, folks who have joined Fryeguys' Court Reserve and guests.

Ladies sign up: https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Public/13037/2121741

Mens sign up: https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Public/13037/2122060

The club's $100 Summer Splash membership also begins June 16 and runs through Sept. 15.https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Memberships/Public/13037

Get social at True

True is launching a Saturday Night Social Series on June 13, 20 and 27 featuring open play-style pickleball, music, games and drink specials. Themes include Singles & Mingle Night, Girls' Night Out and a Real Estate Social for industry professionals. Information and registration are available through CourtReserve and at https://www.truepickleballclub.org.

Clinics

Columbia Courts offering youth pickleball clinic

Instructor Mary Pat Knepper will lead a Learn to Play Pickleball clinic for children ages 7-10 on THIS SUNDAY, June 14, at Columbia Courts in East Greenbush.

The introductory session begins at 2 p.m., with a second session planned for 3 p.m. if demand requires. Paddles will be provided. Sign up on Court Reserve.

40 Irouqois Place, East Greenbush, 12061
(518) 275-0941

Padel professionals host at Brook Bound Inn, VT

Padel pros Maria Garoz and Carlos Batallar will be teaching padel at Brook Bound Inn in Wilmington, Vermont this weekend. Contact Brook Bound's teaching pro Whitney Kraft at 914-486-8570 or twhit10s@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

Clifton Park Pickleball Club adjusts June clinic schedule

Clifton Park Pickleball Club has updated the times for several June instructional clinics because of court scheduling adjustments.

Players currently registered for Pickleball 101, Pickleball 102 and Coaching During Game Play sessions are encouraged to verify their updated times in CourtReserve.

https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Portal/Index/11361

Leagues

Picklers opens registration for summer leagues

Picklers has opened registration for its summer league schedule. League play begins in mid-to-late June and runs through early August. Signup via CourtReserve or Picklers website at Picklerspickleball.club

Tuesday Ladies Evening League — 6:00–8:00 PM
Wednesday High Novice / Low Intermediate League — 6:00–8:00 PM
Thursday Mid‑High Intermediate League — 6:00–8:00 PM
Sunday Intermediate League — 3:00–5:00 PM
Sunday Team League — 5:00–7:00 PM

True announces summer leagues

True Pickleball Club has announced an eight-week Summer League Session beginning the week of July 13, with registration opening to the public June 15. The cost is $165 per player.

Tuesday, 4-6 p.m. — Pick Your Partner League
Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. — Low Intermediate League
Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. — Ladies League
Thursday, 6-8 p.m. — Novice League
Thursday, 8-10 p.m. — Advanced League

All leagues utilize a weekly rotating partner ladder format, allowing players to compete with different partners each week while moving up and down the standings based on performance. The exception is the Pick Your Partner League, where players register with a designated partner and compete together each week in a unique ladder format.Registration is available through CourtReserve and at https://www.truepickleballclub.org.

Special report

A ‘Dynamic’ Take on Injury Prevention with SVMC’s Dawn Petit

With 37 years of experience in physical therapy, Dawn Petit, PTA, is no stranger to helping her clients recover from injuries —but recently, she’s been focusing on helping prevent those injuries in the first place.

Dawn, who is often seen on pickleball courts around the Capital Region, has been with Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) Rehabilitation Services for five years. In 2025, she developed the Pickleball Dynamic Warmup program at SVMC, focused on integrating dynamic movements into the routine of avid pickleball players.

Pickleball injury rates have risen significantly with the popularity of the sport. Emergency visits for pickleball injuries have gone up by 91%, with majority of those patients being over 50 years old.

Dawn is no stranger to allure of a great game of pickleball.

“I regularly travel up to an hour in any direction to find competitive games and connect with friends on the court,” Dawn said. “When I arrive at the court I almost never see anyone warming up prior to playing. I believe this lack of preparation is one of the root causes in this uptick of injured players. I made it my personal goal to design and share this valuable information for injury prevention in our local community.”

The warm-up routine is designed to prepare the body for those movements through active stretching and mobility exercises that improve flexibility, balance, and muscle activation before play begins. She also advises players against running backwards, as it significantly increases the risk of injury. Dawn’s warm-ups have been shared throughout the communities that SVMC serves in southern Vermont, eastern New York and Northern Berkshire Massachusetts.

Download Dawn’s routine here.

“As pickleball continues to grow, so does the need for injury prevention education,” Dawn said.

Learn more about SVMC Rehabilitation Services.

News

Picklers announces summer specials

Picklers has unveiled a variety of summer promotions...

PICKLERBALL WARRIORS 3+2 Pack SPECIAL

With the Pickleball Warriors 3+2 Pack, when you play Open Play 3 times (sessions) in the same week, you’ll receive 2 additional Open Play sessions FREE that same week.

PICKLERS BEAT THE HEAT SPECIAL

When the temperature hits 90°, get a 40% discount off OpenPlay or a Reserved Court available for the rest of that day.

FRIENDS WHO DINK TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER SPECIAL

Bring friends and save all summer long. 10% off when you bring a group of 4 or more, 20% off when your group commits for 6 Weeks of play or more any time over the summer.

FREE OPEN PLAY FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY

2 hours of free Open Play the month of your birthday.

SPORTIME rolls out summer pickleball specials

SPORTIME Capital Region is launching a series of recurring summer programs beginning June 22, including Junior Learn & Play, Teen Night, Breakfast Club Open Play, Midday Madness discounted court time and Dinner and Dinks social evenings with local food trucks.

The programming is designed for players of all ages and experience levels throughout the summer season.

MLP returns to New York City

Major League Pickleball returns to New York City June 25-28 at Randall's Island Park. Capital Region players looking for a pickleball road trip can reach the venue via Amtrak followed by a short rideshare trip. Championship weekend will take place Aug. 28-30 at CityPickle at Wollman Rink in Central Park.

Links

One last thing...

Pickle-friendly businesses...

In addition to all the volunteers who helped last weekend at the Dink for A Cure, I'd like to thank the businesses, coaches and player-business owners who stepped up to help as well. Many donated raffle items. Several companies that made in-kind donations that really made a difference...