#055 May 22, 2025 | Read on the web​

Meet the 2025 Dink for A Cure Honorees

This year’s Dink for A Cure Tournament to benefit the Arthritis Foundation honors three amazing Capital Region individuals whose stories reflect courage, determination and hope.

Lilah – Child Honoree​
Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) just before her 2nd birthday, Lilah has faced pain and treatment with bravery far beyond her years. She powers through every day with a bright smile and unstoppable spirit, proving that arthritis can’t dim her light.

Kieran – Youth Honoree​
Kieran lives with pan sclerotic morphea, a rare and severe form of scleroderma. This systemic inflammatory disorder affects his skin, joints, and connective tissue. Despite countless challenges and a long road to diagnosis, Kieran excels as a student-athlete and inspires everyone around him with his strength, perseverance, and positivity.

Maureen Sullivan Maus – Adult Honoree (In Memoriam)​
We honor the memory of Maureen Sullivan Maus, who lived over 30 years with rheumatoid arthritis. A devoted mother, grandmother, educator, and traveler, Maureen never let her diagnosis define her. Her determination, generosity, and zest for life continue to inspire. She leaves a legacy of love, strength, and connection.

>> Support players competing the Dink for a Cure at Siena College on June 8 by donating to a team here: https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1809​

Advanced Injury Prevention and Treatment

Discover a proven injury prevention program from Dr. Tim Maggs, a sports medicine expert with over 45 years of experience, 300+ published articles, and 8 peer-reviewed studies. Dr. Maggs unique Feet First System focuses on biomechanics—correcting foot asymmetry and hip imbalance with custom orthotics to reduce injury risk. Don’t let pain keep you from the pickleball court. Visit www.drtimmaggs.com to start your injury prevention journey today. SPONSOR

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Dinks and Donations – A Fun-Filled Fundraiser for Circle of Champs

Join the Southern Saratoga YMCA on Saturday, June 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for Dinks and Donations — a lighthearted and meaningful event supporting Circle of Champs, a program that brings joy and support to children facing life-threatening illnesses.

This isn’t your typical day on the courts. Step up to the challenge with fun and friendly games like hitting a pickleball over the net into a bucket or knocking over a cone — all for the chance to win prizes.

Highlights:

• Chance to win prizes throughout the event (Limit one paddle prize per person)
• 5-shot rotation to keep things moving and exciting
• Grilled Bilinski’s sausages, Sabrett’s hot dogs, and Codino’s pierogies served hot off our newly donated Blackstone griddle
• Snack samples from Daily Crunch and Wickles Pickles — grab a bite while you play

Pricing: 10 balls – $10; 30 balls – $20; Unlimited balls (all-day access) – $100

​https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=e25c4bc5-b5df-45a3-be27-7103d19bbdc7&envId=p-cApng5Q7RkG4rlzoAI4m1w&zone=usa​

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Guilderland Field Hockey Fundraiser at True

TRUE welcomes the Guilderland Girls Field Hockey teams in for a fundraiser on Juneteenth, that's June 19. This inaugural tournament is raising money to support the girls travel expenses, to offset the cost of updating equipment among, assist with camp costs among other items. Sponsorship options still available, donations for raffle items gladly accepter. Enroll your child in the youth division and then join in the fun immediately following. Divisions: Youth, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. https://truepickleballclub.org/events​

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VAIR rating clinic and instruction at Xtreme

The Amateur Pickleball League is looking for ambassadors

The Amateur Pickleball League (APL) is a flexible, play-anytime, play-anywhere league where substitutes are not required. Play structured fun, competitive matches at the right level. Currently, there are 114 players registered for the Spring 2025 season. Standings in each division are determined by a players win percentage.

Current Divisional Leaders

• 2.5–3.29: Ann Shattuck, David Jordan
• 3.3–3.79: Jessica Kane, Matt Stanley
• 3.8–4.29: Dan Gardner, Olivia Bruni
• 4.3–4.79: Jason Solghan, Kate Tymeson

Full standings are available at
​https://www.vairified.com​

Spring Championship Tournaments

• Scheduled to begin after June 9
• VAIRified players will compete for cash prizes.

The APL is looking for more ambassadors in Albany, Colonie, Delmar, Saratoga and Glens Falls.

Ambassador Benefits

• $15 commission for each player recruited
• Access to free software for managing leagues and tournaments
• Use of the VAIRified player rating system
• Additional commissions available with APL Partners and XPL

How to Get Started

• Create a free VAIR account:
  ​https://www.vairified.com/?ambassador=5717273​
• Ambassador registration:
  ​https://www.vairified.com/ambassador-purchase?ambassador=5717273​
• APL Summer Session registration (available after June 9):​
  ​https://www.vairified.com/amateur-league?ambassador=5717273​

Current Ambassadors

• Kim Mungal, Sackorie Bailey – Clifton Park
• Valerie Kline, Bryan Stanavich – Amsterdam
• ​Erica Morales – Gloversville​
• ​Karen Aveyard – Albany​

For additional details contact Bart Metzold, 518-701-6520

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Summer Leagues Forming

You can sign up for leagues at Picklers, True and Hockey Hut using the Court Reserve App. Text Sportime at 518-535-9180​

At Picklers in Menands, most leagues are $149 for 8 weeks

• Advanced Summer Ladies Ladder 3.75+, Tuesdays, June 4, 8 to 10 p.m.
• 3.25-3.75 Summer Ladder League, Thursdays, June 5, 6 to 8 p.m., June 5
• Ladies Summer Ladder League, Sundays, June 15, 5 to 7 p.m.

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At Sportime in Schenectady, $175 for 10 weeks

• Co-ed beginner league, starting Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m.

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​At True in Latham, most leagues are $165 for 8 weeks

• Ladies Ladder, Mondays, June 2, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Mixed partners, Sundays, June 8, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Ladies League, Wednesdays, June 11, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Novice league, Thursdays, June 12, 6 to 8 p.m.
• High Intermediate/Advanced League, Thursdays, June 12, 8 to 10 p.m.

At Hockey Hut in Clifton Park, most leagues are $120 for 6 weeks

• Wednesday Novice League, May 28, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Friday Novice League, May 30, 5 to 7 p.m.

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Picklers offers $7 open play

With the Emma Willard pickleball program closing for the summer, Picklers introduced $7 Open Ladder Play—starting Tuesday, May 27. The special price will be offered everything Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.

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Kids camp at True

Kids aged 8-15 are welcome to participate each day to hone their pickleball skills. Two sessions offered; first session week of July 14, 2025 and the second August 11, from 9am - 12 pm daily. Register for 1 day or all 5. Cost, $35.00/day and includes one sports drink.https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/9234/25723/1186115?orgLayout=true​

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List of pickleball instructors updated

I updated to the Pickleball518 list of instructors:https://www.pickleball518.com/list-of-pickleball-instructors-in-albany-saratoga-springs-and-greater-capital-region/​

I removed the club-based instructors because it is tough to keep up with the changes there. Instead I focused on independent instructors and directed people to the Pickleball518 list of indoor clubs for info about lessons at local venues. Some coaches have opted not to be listed and I'm sure I've missed others. If you are an independent instructor who would like to be listed, contact me at cathleen@pickleball518.com.

Instructors be warned... if you list your email address, you will receive phishing emails like "I want pickleball lessons for my kids. Where are you based?" So weird.

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Hope to see you on the court,

Cathleen

• ​List of indoor pickleball clubs in Capital Region​
• ​Map of pickleball courts in Greater Capital Region​
• ​List of upcoming tournaments in Greater Capital Region​
• ​List of pickleball instructors in Greater Capital Region​

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• Send tips and pickleball news to Cathleen@pickleball518.com
• Follow on Facebook @Pickleball518​
• Follow on Instagram @pickleballmaven​
• Get on my "Player needed" list​