The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
518: The joy, drama, deals and glow of pickleball
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#074 April 2, 2026 | Read on the web Bring on the dramaThis is going to be a pretty short newsletter today. I'm bedside with my Aunt D. Aunt D loves to hear pickleball stories - not stories about winning a great point or taking home a medal, but stories about people misbehaving on the court. D loves when humans act inappropriately. She wants to hear about people who cheated on line calls, about the player who serves before their opponent is ready just to get an advantage and about players who have tantrums when they lose. Pickleball has a lot of joy, but it can have drama too and D loves the drama.
Early Bird discount extended for Pickleball518 readersMore than 40 players registered for the 4th Annual Dink for A Cure before the Early Bird deadline ended on Wednesday. The June 5-7 tournament is a charity event for the Arthritis Foundation and will be played on 16 courts at Siena University. There are divisions for every skill level and age categories of Under 50, Over 50 and Over 70. I am the tournament director. Here's a little reward for Pickleball518 readers. This promo code will give you a $10 discount until Saturday night (4/4) at 11:55 p.m. : 518newsletter Use that code when registering here: YFC pickleball classic scheduled May 1–3 in Clifton ParkThe YFC Pickleball Classic will return May 1–3 at the YFC Campus Life Center in Clifton Park as a three-day fundraiser supporting the Youth for Christ Youth Event Scholarship Fund. The tournament includes advanced and novice divisions across men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. Play begins Friday evening with men’s advanced doubles, followed by multiple divisions Saturday and Sunday. Schedule
Cost: $60 per team https://cdyfc.org/event/yfcpickleballclassic/ More info: 518-533-3617
Wilton pickleball club spring leagues nearly full at McGregor LinksWilton Pickleball Club reports limited openings remain in its upcoming spring leagues at McGregor Links Country Club. The competitive men’s league uses a round-robin ladder format designed to provide balanced weekly matchups, while the coed league offers the same structured play across a range of skill levels. The women’s league is already full for this session. Games are played on dedicated pickleball courts. Details
https://playpass.com/go/Aw68tsb Questions: wiltonpbclub@gmail.com
Pickleball joy afternoon planned April 25 at FryeGuysFryeGuys Pickleball Club will host a community pickleball event April 25 inspired by the Pickleball Joy Pledge and the work of national instructors Pickleball Nikki and Tony Roig of Pickleball Therapy. The afternoon will include open play, ice cream and community gathering time, along with video messages from Nikki and Roig centered on the positive impact of pickleball and connection through play. More details are expected to be announced soon. Updates will be shared on FryeGuys social channels. Youth clinics scheduled during April break week at True Pickleball ClubTrue Pickleball Club is offering a series of youth clinics during April break week focused on fundamentals and skill development. Sessions are designed for both new players and those with prior experience, with instruction tailored to ability level. Clinics will be held Friday, April 3, and Monday through Friday, April 6–10. Clinics are open to players ages 8–15. Cost: $35 per session https://www.truepickleballclub.org More info: 518-776-1170
FryeGuys to announce spring pricing update April 8FryeGuys Pickleball Club plans to announce updated spring pricing April 8, with changes scheduled to take effect April 15. Summer pricing is expected to be announced by May 1. Sign up time for summer camp at SPORTIMESPORTIME always has a healthy dose of pickleball at it's summer camps. It is already time to register! Glow Zone introduces glow-in-the-dark play at True Pickleball ClubTrue Pickleball Club has introduced Glow Zone programming featuring glow-in-the-dark open play sessions and private reservations. Courts are set up with illuminated lines and nets, and equipment is adapted for visibility, creating a social playing environment suited for group outings, celebrations and recreational play. Glow Zone open play sessions are scheduled Friday and Saturday evenings, with private reservations available by request. https://www.truepickleballclub.org Private bookings: manager@playtruepc.com New novice sessions and 50+ open play expanding at True Pickleball ClubTrue Pickleball Club has added new novice and low-intermediate open play sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Weekday 50+ open play continues from 2–4 p.m. https://www.truepickleballclub.org Picklers March Madness bracket challenge heads into Final FourThe Picklers March Madness Bracket Challenge is heading into the Final Four with 81 participants competing in this year’s contest. Current leaders include Alexander T, Andrew F and Jennifer B, with Gary M (SzigC4) tied for sixth place. Picklers is also continuing its CRBN 3-X Series paddle raffle promotion through April 6. Players receive an entry each time they participate in open play or reserve and play a private court session during the promotion period.
Sitting here with Aunt D makes me think back to how pickleball helped me through the last year of my mom's life. I think many of you have had the experience of pickleball keeping you sane through a difficult time in your life. Other than a few bad line calls and a little misbehavior, it is mostly joy on the court. I hope to see you out there, 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.
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....