#083 Oct. 1, 2026 | Read on the web Want to sponsor Thanksgiving at Emma tournament? Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 5th annual Thanksgiving at Emma Pickleball Tournament in Troy. A big thank you to ShinePro Window Cleaning and Worthington Flowers (owned by pickleball player Sam Swart), who have already signed on as sponsors! If you own a business— or know one that would like to support a fun local event while reaching the Capital Region pickleball community—I 'd love to hear...
16 days ago • 5 min read
#082 Sept. 17, 2026 | Read on the web Pickleball518 takes on table tennis Last night, Pickleball518 players and friends gathered at All+ Table Tennis in Menands for a free night of ping pong — and we had a blast. We also introduced the table tennis crowd to a little piece of pickleball culture: the after-match paddle tap. It’s such a familiar part of pickleball’s sportsmanship and community that we barely think about it. The table tennis players thought it was a little strange, but hopefully...
30 days ago • 4 min read
#081 August 13, 2026 | Read on the web FREE* signups for the "Thanksgiving at Emma" tournament Tournament registration has become a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. Players wait to see who else signs up before committing. But when everyone waits, divisions look empty, players get nervous about registering — and sometimes events that could have filled never get off the ground. So for this year’s Thanksgiving at Emma Pickleball Tournament, Nov. 21-23, I’m trying something different. For the...
2 months ago • 5 min read
#080 July 9, 2026 | Read on the web A vacation idea worth bringing home One of my favorite parts of traveling is seeing how other pickleball communities do things. While vacationing in Avalon, New Jersey, I had the chance to play several open play sessions at the borough’s beautiful 20-court complex. What impressed me most wasn’t the facility itself — it was how smoothly open play was organized. Two staff members oversee every session, keeping players moving and helping everyone get on the...
3 months ago • 8 min read
#079 June 25, 2026 | Read on the web Summer is for kids If you've been looking for a way to get your kids involved in pickleball this summer, this may be the best lineup of junior programming I've ever seen. Clubs across the Capital Region and beyond are offering everything from beginner clinics and weeklong camps to guided play sessions and ice cream socials. Whether your child has never picked up a paddle or is ready to build match experience, there are options for a wide range of ages and...
4 months ago • 7 min read
#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...
4 months ago • 6 min read
#077 May 21, 2026 | Read on the web Pickleball Galaxy tent sale coming in June This week's newsletter has an absurd about of info in it ranging from summer deals at indoor venues, leagues & tournaments looking for players, amazing photos from the Quad State Tournament last weekend in Vermont so keep reading. Let's start with a save-the-date: Pickleball Galaxy at 606 Pierce Road in Clifton Park will hold a two-day Tent Sale on June 9-10 featuring discounts on paddles, shoes and clothing. The...
5 months ago • 7 min read
#076 May 7, 2026 | Read on the web Video covers the basics for first-time tournament players I had played pickleball casually a few times, but in 2019 I competed in a little tournament at Pickle in the Park in Northville, NY, and from that moment, I was HOOKED on pickleball. Tournaments are a blast, but playing in your first one can be a little intimidating. So, YMCA Tournament Director Jennifer Kendrick, myself and pickleball ref KK Kear held a Zoom webinar to help explain what tournaments...
5 months ago • 4 min read
#075 April 23, 2026 | Read on the web Volunteering at the U.S. Open in Naples I spent last week in Naples, Florida, at the U.S Open (Pickleball). I didn't get into the tournament to play but I volunteered on the court operations team. I don't quite understand why, but I enjoy it. I tried to find every speck of shade! My spectacularly big hat helped. :) Photo by Peter Bojarczuk. Every game is reffed at the Open. Last year, the refs reported the scores. They would walk off the court and go to a...
6 months ago • 8 min read