The #1 source for pickleball news in New York's Greater Capital Region. Written by a journalist and pickleball player.
Legacy Pickleball Club closes and more pickleball news
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#054 May 8, 2025 | Read on the web Legacy closesLegacy Pickleball Club in Ballston Spa closed its doors permanently last month - the eviction was real. Michael Xirinachs, general manager, said he is working with an accountant and an attorney to address refunds for members. Photos posted on social media indicate the club's courts were damaged. Xirinachs said he didn't know anything about it. Stacey Mulinio invested more than $300,000 in the club and lost it all. Mulinio, who created the original Legacy Facebook page, still runs the page and has posted warnings on it. Mulinio wrote that Legacy members should contact Xirinachs for a refund and if they are unsuccessful, send their information to her and she will pass it to authorities. According to court documents, Xirinachs pleaded guilty in 2022 to criminal charges involving fraudulent securities trading, promotion and material misrepresentations to investors and misuse of funds. He was given three years probation and ordered to pay restitution. Mulinio has court documents that indicate the restitution was not paid and Xirinachs is returning to court next month for a sentencing hearing. Nonsurgical therapy for pickleball injuriesProblems like tennis elbow, back pain, and knee pain can hamper your game and leave you sidelined. Richard Kim Medicine is the Capital area's Regenerative Medicine specialist. Dr. Kim's therapies are perfect to limit downtime and return to play. If you are looking for solutions before surgery then natural, regenerative medicine is ideal. Dr. Kim's office also offers hassle-free MRI service, where ANYONE can call and use, no referral and no wait time. Call today for a free consultation 518-871-9900. SPONSOR
US Open in Naples was a blastI attended the US Open last week in Naples. I competed and watched many games. The county-owned facility has 60 courts. More than 3,000 players competed including Anna Leigh Waters and Andre Agassi, and as well as amateurs. The highlight for me was watching dozens of our local 518 players compete. A big shout out to the Pickleball Galaxy crew who shared their tent - with shade and seats - with all of Capital Region players. I hope to write more about the whole experience at some point. The 2026 US Open is April 11 to 18. Save the date!
Realtors, teachers and legislators team up for Dink for A Cure at Siena - there is still time to registerFriends and co-workers are forming teams for The Dink for A Cure tournament to benefit the Arthritis Foundation on June 7 & 8. Teams consist for 4-8 players who will compete in men's doubles, women's doubles and two pairs of mixed doubles. This is a chance for hardcore pickleball players (you) to get some of your not-yet-pickleball-fanatic friends to compete. Here is a little video with Rainbow (from the Arthritis Foundation) and me explaining the team format and tournament details. If you are interested in playing, email me at cathleen@pickleball518.com or Rainbow at rdoemel@arthritis.org. Register for Dink For A Cure here: https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=38769 Bousquet Sport Summer SlamThe Bousquet Sport Summer Slam returns Sunday, July 13, at Bousquet Sport in Pittsfield, Mass. Cash prizes will be awarded.https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/bousquet-sport-summer-slam Senior Showdown Mixed Doubles at SSYMCAThis mixed doubles tournament is open to players ages 50 and older. The event will be held Saturday, July 19, at the Southern Saratoga YMCA outdoor courts. The entry fee is $25 per player. https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/senior-showdown-mixed-doubles Registration is open for the Chuck Allen tournamentThis July 26/27 annual tournament in Queensbury supports a good cause and is played at one of the most beautiful pickleball settings in our region. https://www.adkpickleball.com/events/chuck-allen-memorial-tournament/ Full tournament list...https://www.pickleball518.com/pickleball-tournaments-coming-to-ny-capital-region/
Dink and Donuts at Clifton Park YMCASponsored by U.S. Senior Pickleball and Humana, this free community event offers open play pickleball for all skill levels and ages. Coffee and donuts will be provided. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on two Saturdays: May 10 and June 14, at the Southern Saratoga YMCA Outdoor Courts, located at 1 Wall Street in Clifton Park, New York. Registration is available on TeamReach using the code ssyleague, and the event is listed in the TeamReach Events Calendar. Stand Up to Parkinson's FundraiserTrue Pickleball Club will host the 2nd Annual Stand Up to Parkinson’s Pickleball Tournament on May 20 and 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is presented by News Channel 13 and hosted by Rodger Wyland. Novice, intermediate, and advanced divisions are available. Registration is $200 per team, with all proceeds benefiting Stand Up to Parkinson’s. Last year’s tournament raised $10,000, and organizers aim to surpass that total in 2025. https://truepickleballclub.org/events Guilderland field hockey fundraiser at TrueTrue will host a pickleball tournament on Juneteenth to support the Guilderland Girls Field Hockey teams. Proceeds from this inaugural fundraiser will help cover travel expenses, update equipment, and support other team needs. The event includes multiple divisions for players of all levels, including a youth division. Families are encouraged to enroll their children and then stay for the fun. https://truepickleballclub.org/events
True hosts kids campTrue will offer a summer pickleball camp for kids ages 8 to 15, with two weeklong sessions designed to build skills through instruction and play. Camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Participants can register for a single day or the full week. Cost is $35 per day and includes one sports drink.https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/9234/25723/1186115?orgLayout=true Bousquet summer camp for kidsThe Bousquet Juniors Summer Pickleball Program runs June 30 through August 21 at Bousquet Sport in Pittsfield, Mass. Designed for ages 8 to 18, the program groups participants by experience level for tailored instruction and development. Camp is offered Monday through Thursday with two options:
This structured program blends instruction, drills, and competitive play. New players will focus on fundamentals, while experienced juniors receive more advanced training in game strategy and shot execution. Typical Daily Schedule:
Multi-Sport Camp at Sportime SchenectadySportime Schenectady’s summer multi-sport camp is open to children ages 6 to 16. The program features a mix of instruction, recreation, and friendly competition in both indoor and outdoor activities. Campers will receive professional instruction in tennis and pickleball, enjoy recreational swimming, and take part in sports such as basketball, floor hockey, soccer, and volleyball. Creative activities like arts and crafts are also included. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is about $350 per week, depending on how many weeks the child is enrolled. https://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-J5P/schenectady-summer-camp
Indoor venues release spring/summer dealsThe three Capital Region venues with dedicated pickleball courts have all introduced their spring/summer deals. Click to learn more: Picklers, Sportime Schenectady and True. If anyone has done a cost benefit analysis comparing the plans, please share it.
Monday clinics at Hockey Hut with Gina FamilyRegister: https://mobileapp.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/List/11361 Monday, May 12
Monday, May 19
Spring 2025 Compass Draw Tournament LeagueRegistration continues for the Spring 2025 Capital District Compass Draw Pickleball Tournament League—a fun, flexible way to play competitive pickleball without the pressure of ratings. Format Highlights
Play begins: May 14 Divisions (as of April 22) Open Doubles (18+)
Open Singles (18+)
www.compassdraw.com/pickleball/capitaldistrict McGregor Country Club Pickleball LeagueA new pickleball league is launching at McGregor Country Club in Wilton, Saratoga County. Open to all—club membership is not required. Session Details
Time: Tuesdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Fees
League registration opens May 15 and will be available online only. Players interested in joining as substitutes may register right away. Registration: For more information, contact Debby or Rachelle at Wiltonpbclub@gmail.com.
PickleVisor, News for Pickleball Organizers, has launched. You can follow PickleVisor on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. Thanks for reading and hope to see you on 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.
#061 Aug. 14, 2025 | Read on the web Share your pickleball stories Pete Lindemann, a pickleball organizer from Cobleskill, reached out to share news about a pickleball party they hosted in their community and to invite people to discover pickleball in Cobleskill. You can read Pete's full recap below in the "News" section. Pickleball518 loves to hear and share stories about your local pickleball happenings. Feel free to send your news and pictures to be included in the newsletter. Send them to...
#060 July 31, 2025 | Read on the web Can a 3.9 player can play in a 3.5 event? The answer is "Yes" in a PickleballTournaments event. I've had a few questions about the skill divisions for the Oct. 4 Bethlehem Pickleball Tournament. Parsing skill divisions is always a struggle especially within the PickleballTournament ecosystem. PickleballTournaments rounds down . So a 3.9 player is considered a 3.5 player, therefore a "Doubles 3.5 and under event" actually means it is for players 3.99999 and...
#059 July 17, 2025 | Read on the web There are outdoor venues with lights Hi friend, my sincere apologies for misstating that the proposed East Greenbush courts would be the only large municipal venue with lights. I have since learned that Saratoga Spring's East Side courts have lights and the Crandall Park courts in Glens Falls have lights. Dang, I really blew that one. I've played at East Side many DAYS but never at night. I had even checked Google Street View prior to publishing and didn't...