Dink Minor League Pickleball Arrives in Palm Beach Gardens: The Dink Minor League Pickleball is taking the nation by storm with its innovative, social format that pairs team competition with a unique twist on traditional match-ups. For players looking to show their skills in a competitive yet fun environment, the SouthEast Florida Team Challenge offers the perfect opportunity.
Pickleball Event Details
- Location: Joseph R Russo Athletic Complex, 5110 117th Court North, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
- Date: February 9, 2025
- Registration Deadline: February 5, 2025
- Price: $70 per player
- Tournament Director: Craig Maron
The Dink Minor League Pickleball is setting the stage for one of the most exciting amateur pickleball events to date. With a blend of strategy, skill, and camaraderie, this tournament takes a fresh approach to team play. Teams of four players (two women and two men) will compete using the innovative MLPlay format, designed to bring men and women together on a level playing field.
The MLPlay Format
MLPlay brings excitement to the game. In this team-based format, each match consists of four 21-point games:
- One women’s doubles
- One men’s doubles
- Two mixed doubles
Should both teams be tied at 2-2 after the initial games, the competition will move into a Dreambreaker. This dramatic finale has one player from each team face off in singles, with players switching every four rallies. The match continues until one player reaches 21 points, winning by a margin of two.
DUPR Divisions
The Dink Minor League Pickleball event features multiple divisions based on the DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating). Players are required to have a DUPR account to sign up, with the team’s total rating dictating their division:
- DUPR 20: Team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 20.99
- DUPR 18: Team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 18.30 (Maximum individual player DUPR 5.10)
- DUPR 16: Team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 16.30 (Maximum individual player DUPR 4.60)
- DUPR 14: Team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 14.30 (Maximum individual player DUPR 4.10)
- DUPR 12: Team’s aggregate DUPR must not exceed 12.30 (Maximum individual player DUPR 3.60)
Once a team is registered, the DUPR ratings are locked, meaning any future rating adjustments won’t impact their division placement.
Substitutions and Refunds
Players who need to adjust their teams or substitute players can do so easily through the Swish platform, or they can submit their requests to the tournament organizer. A key condition is that the substitute player’s DUPR must not push the team’s total above the event’s maximum.
The cancellation policy allows for refunds (minus a $5 technology fee and 3% processing fee) if requests are made 15 days before the event. Single registrations, for those unable to form a team, may not guarantee placement. If a player isn’t placed on a team, they will receive a full refund (minus applicable fees).
News in Brief: Dink Minor League Pickleball Arrives in Palm Beach Gardens
The Dink Minor League Pickleball Team Challenge is set to take place in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on February 9, 2025. The event, featuring teams of four players (two men and two women), will follow the innovative MLPlay format with unique matchups and tiebreaker rules.
Registration for the pickleball tournament closes on February 5, 2025, and players can join various divisions based on their DUPR ratings. Refunds are available under specific conditions, and single registrations are welcome with no guarantees of placement.
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