#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 Pickleball Corporate Challenge. Teams of 4 to 8 players will compete in four doubles events: men's, women's and two pairings of mixed. Divisions for social, intermediate and advanced players.

The registration fee is $500 per team but teams that register by Monday, April 14, get a $100 discount. Teams can play for free by fundraising. Pickleball518 (aka me) will be the tournament director.

Teams of lawyers, real estate agent, tech workers, educators, politicians, church goers are encouraged to compete.

Dink for A Cure Schedule
Friday, June 6: Open play
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m - 2 p.m.: Corporate teams* (social, intermediate)
Sunday, June 8, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Community teams (social, intermediate, advanced)

*Church groups will pay on Saturday for obvious reasons. In fact, teams can choose to compete on either day.

June 1: Picklers Go Purple for Alzheimer's

Picklers Go Purple on Sunday, June 1, at Picklers Pickleball Club in Menands will benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

Each team is expected to raise at least $2,500 in donations, with the employer making up any shortfall.

There are 24 Team slots available. Each team will include six members, at least two of which are women. Register your team at https://bit.ly/PicklersGoPurple.

May 20 & 21: 2nd Annual Stand Up to Parkinson's at True

True is hosting the 2^nd Annual Stand Up to Parkinson's Pickleball Fundraiser. This is a partner event with brackets offered Tuesday and Wednesday May 20 and 21, from 4-7pm. Rodger Wyland from News Channel 13 will broadcast live during the event. The registration fee is $100 per player. https://truepickleballclub.org/events

May 3: Saratoga Schools event at East Side Park

The Saratoga School Education Foundation is hosting a tournament at East Side Recreation Park on Saturday, May 3 at 9 a.m. All proceeds will help enhance educational opportunities for students in the district. The cost is $75 per team. https://playpass.com/go/Am1EDEL

April 26: Double H Ranch fundraiser at Picklers

The Double H Ranch is holding a fundraising pickleball event at Picklers on April 26. Each team is raising $5,000. You can donate to a team here: https://fundraise.doublehranch.org/event/2025-pickleball-tournament/e653651

The Double H Ranch is located in Lake Luzerne and provides specialized programs at no charge for children and their families living with chronic and serious illnesses.

I was a reporter at the Times Union for many years and have been recruited to play with the TU Mad Drops at the Double H event. The Mad Drops includes our Captain Molly Renaud, director of community engagement, VP of operations Dan Couto, news editor Mike Goodwin, art director Tom Kracker, photographer Joe Putrock and former TU photographer Cindy Schultz.

June 14 & 15: Flutters of Hope Pickleball Tournament at McGregor Links

Flutters of Hope raises awareness of eating disorders. The tournament will be held at McGregor Links in Wilton - rain date June 21 & 22. Registration is $35 per player. This year's tourmnament is dedicated to Carly Kempf, who recently lost her battle with an eating disorder. https://www.fluttersofhopeinc.org

Oct 5: 2nd Annual Bethlehem Pickleball Tournament

The Bethlehem tournament raises money for the Bethlehem Senior Projects. The rain date is Oct. 6. https://www.bethlehemseniorproject.org/bethlehem-pickleball-tournament-fundraiser

I hope you find a way to support one or more of these events by playing, donating and/or cheering. Spectators are welcome!

Leagues

It's not too late to join the APL spring league

The Amateur Pickleball League Spring season has started in the Capital Region, but players can still join. The flexible format means you don't need to find subs and you can play at any of the scheduled sessions.

Enter code nypickle1 into Team Reach or contact Bart Metzold (518-701-6520) for more info.

Here are the champions from the Winter APL Tournament. The gold medalists each earned a $300 prize:

2.5–3.29 Men: David Jordan / Women: Deb Johnson

3.3–3.79 Men: Chris Clarke / Women: Carolynn Zauner

3.8–4.29 Men: Mike Tymeson / Women: Ginger Lin

4.3–4.79 Men: Chris Crucetti / Women: Hailee Metzold

4.8–5.29 Women: Raisa Guasti

Compass Draw announces spring season

Registration for the Spring Capital District Compass Draw Pickleball Tournament League opened last week. Games will begin on May 14.

Here is a complete list of the current divisions being offered:

Men's 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0/4.5 Doubles
Women's 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0/4.5 Doubles
Mixed 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0/4.5 Doubles
60 + Mixed 3.0/3.5 Doubles (must be 60 or older to participate)
Men’s 3.5/4.0 Singles

Players in the league are assigned an opponent every two weeks and arrange a game time/place that works for both teams. The unique “compass” format ensures your matches get more competitive each round and that you get to keep playing, even when you lose.

The normal cost is $25 per player for doubles and $30 per player for singles. HOWEVER, the Early Bird price is $20 per player for doubles and $25 per player for singles if you register by April 18.

If you are looking for a partner, the website as a PartnerFinder list.

www.compassdraw.com/pickleball/capitaldistrict

Clinics

Kids Spring Break Pickleball Clinic at True Pickleball

This 2-hour clinic at True is designed for ages 8–15 and focuses on the basics of pickleball—rules, scoring, serve, and return. Perfect for beginner to intermediate youth players. Choose from Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 9–11 a.m.

https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/9234/25723/1186026?orgLayout=true

Open play DUPR rating sessions at True

Curious about your rating? True Pickleball Club in Latham is holding DUPR Open Play sessions. During a DUPR session, you can expect 8-10 rated games. You must create a DUPR account before arriving. Join The True Pickleball (DUPR) Club once your account is created. You will originally be matched up based on rating and then move based on results. By the end of the event, you will have an official DUPR rating.

Sessions are Tuesday 4/15, 4-6 pm, Friday 4/18, 5-7 pm, Monday 4/21, 7-9 pm, Saturday 4/26, 7-9 pm.

https://truepickleballclub.org/events

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