The Sign-up option for drop-in play is no more. Just show up and play!
Aiken Pickleball News
Starting April 7, and continuing through the middle of June, there will be evening Dills with "Little Mo" every Wednesday at 6pm on Court 1. Click here to sign up.
Except on April 14, when Odell is closed.
If you notice any dividers that will not stand on their own, please place them in the back right hand corner of the closet so they can be repaired. Many thanks to Bob Fogle for taking on this project.
There will be a New Players Clinic at Gregg Park Civic Center on Friday, March 5th from 9:15 - 11:30am. The clinic will include proper court positioning, an explanation of the “kitchen”, how to keep score, how to make the transition from tennis and other racquet sports to pickleball and much more.
The clinic will be held on courts 1 and 3. Balls and paddles will be provided. A maximum of 6 players will be allowed to attend. This is free for members of Gregg Park. Nonmembers are also welcome to attend but must pay the $10 daily facility fee.
If you know someone who is interested in learning to play the exciting game of pickleball, please pass this information along. Click here to sign up.
Great news!! Odell Weeks has given us pickleball time for the next two weekends (in addition to the weekends in March). There will be play on Saturdays from 9am-445pm and Sundays from 1-445pm. Drop-in play and court reservations available both days.
Effective 4/1/2021 only participation in Sanctioned Pickleball Tournaments will have an inpact on a players UTPR score.
USA Pickleball, as part of the on-going improvements to align the sport for the continued and next wave of growth, is making updates to the earning of UTPR’s at various tournaments. If you are playing in a tournament scheduled after April 1, 2021 and it is not sanctioned you will no longer receive UTPR credit.
Effective April 1/2021, USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings (UTPR) will be earned as follows:
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All Standard or Medal Match Plus (MMP) Tournaments will receive 100% UTPR credit
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Standard Sanctioned Tournaments require referees for every match
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MMP Sanctioned Tournaments will have referees for the Gold/Silver and Bronze medal matches, as well as the winner and consolation bracket finals
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Non-Sanctioned Tournaments will change from 60% towards UTPR rating to 0% towards UTPR rating. This is in alignment with national sports governing bodies sanctioned events and effective for tournaments on / after April 1, 2021.
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Note - All players must be USA Pickleball members to participate in a sanctioned event
There are significant benefits to the various sanctioned tournaments for both Tournament Directors and players to ensure a great success for all. We encourage you to visit https://usapickleball.org/tournaments/standard-sanctioning/ to learn more.
The next rating session will be held on Wednesday, March 17th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Smith-Hazel Recreation Center. These Skill Rating Sessions are for players trying for 3.5 and below. If you are trying for 4.0, contact Mo Garcia directly. Do not use this sign up. If you would like to be rated please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050b4ba9a62ca5fb6-skill with your name, phone number, and estimated level. You will be notified of the specific time of your rating. Slots are limited.
How far can your team climb the ladder? Who will claim the top rung?
NEWSFLASH - To wrap up the current pickleball challenge ladder, a playoff will be held for the top 8 teams indoors at Odell Weeks (gym 2) on Saturday, May 1, 2021. If you are not currently in one of the top eight positions, now is the time to start working your way up. The ladder will be frozen at midnight on Sunday, April 25th, so get your challenge matches and result forms entered before then.
To be fair to those trying to move up, teams will have a maximum of one week to arrange a match when challenged. If you are out of town, injured, or otherwise unable to complete the match, please go ahead and forfeit to the challenging team.
The playoff format will be determined soon.
Click here to create a challenge. NOTE: The challenge form uses the email information provided to notify the team being challenged and to remind the challenger to schedule the match. If you are not receiving the emails, please check your spam folder for an email from aikenpbladder@gmail.com.
Click here to record match results.
Click here to view Ladder. (Current Standings and Status)
Click here for interest poll on team jerseys.
Rules as follows:
- challenges can be made to teams up to three positions higher than your current standing
NOTE: The “Challenge Form” will send email reminders to contact their opponent to schedule the match.
- declined challenges results in automatic drop in position
- challenge matches must be completed or scheduled during the week the match is accepted
- challenging team must be willing to play at the preferred court of the team they are challenging.
- teams with a pending match, scheduled but incomplete, cannot initiate or accept a new challenge until the pending match is completed.
NOTE: Teams with a pending match will be flagged so individuals checking the standings are aware that the teams cannot accept a new challenge
- standings will be updated daily based on submitted “Ladder Match Results Form”
NOTE: failure to submit the “Ladder Match Results Form” results in the teams being flagged as Match Pending until results are received and recorded
- an individual can only have one active team on the ladder at any given time. If an individual elects to play with a new partner, the previously existing team is removed from the ladder and the new team starts at the bottom of the ladder
- all matches will be a best 2 out of 3 format to 11 points each game.
- all matches will be played at a venue in Aiken, unless alternate venue is agreed upon by both teams
NOTE: Augusta teams are welcome to participate but there is no expectation for games to be scheduled in Augusta, regardless of who is the challenger Team
The Partners List has been renamed “Looking for Games". It is under the “Sign-ups” tab. We encourage all new players looking for someone to play with to check here and add their names, contact information and level of play. A designation of beginner/intermediate or specific rating/experience level can be put in the comments section to better pair individuals up.
The minutes for the February Leadership Team Meeting held on Monday, February 1st, at 5:30pm via Zoom have been posted on the Forum page. Some of the topics discussed include: New Players Clinics and Practice Sessions being held at OW and GP; court conditions at OW; Player Ratings to start again; Implementation of a competitive Ladder; and Return of Drop-in designated play. Go to Forums or click here to read the full report.
Next meeting will be held on Monday March 1st at 5:30 via Zoom