Pickleball

This area will be regularly updated to share the latest in court enhancements, repairs, policy changes, and new sites. If there are any other specific questions, let us know!

• March 16, 2022
  Reserved times in the evening at the newly resurfaced courts at Winthrop begin on March 17.
• March 16, 2022
  One of the nets at Lafayette has been taken down due to a pavement heave. The City is looking into a solution.
• March 16, 2022
  We anticipate renovating Forestmeadows clay courts numbered 6-13 to hydro-courts in the fall.
• March 16, 2022
  Southeast Park is anticipating use of the six new pickleball courts at the end of summer.
• March 25, 2022
  We have added permanent pickleball lines at 4th Ave tennis courts. This will accommodate four PB courts on two tennis courts
• April 15, 2022
  The tennis courts at Lafayette, 4th Ave, and Jake Gaither will be repaired in the next couple months. The cracks will be filled and Riteway crack repair will be placed over the areas. In addition, all three court site will be resurfaced.
• April 15, 2022
  A battery backup has been installed at Winthrop tennis courts that will keep the light timers correct if there is a power outage.
• May 18, 2022
  A safety fence bottom rail has been installed around the perimeter of 4th Ave. courts.
• June 6, 2022
  Glare guards have been installed on the pickleball lights for the tennis courts at Tom Brown.

Open Play vs. First Come - First Play

Open Play is a Drop-in session in which players simply drop in, without advance reservations, to play other Drop-in players.

The term used in pickleball to designate playing times that are open for players of all skill levels and years of experience to mix together to have fun playing pickleball. In Open Play, competition takes a back seat to the social aspects of meeting people, making everyone feel welcome, and enjoying this beautiful game the way the game’s creators envisioned it: fun for everyone.

During open play, if 6 players are waiting, players will play 9 points instead of 11 points. After a game is over, all 4 playing players will switch out to allow 4 new players a game.

Any other time that is not scheduled for “open play” as defined in the example above will be “First Come-First play”.

First Come-First Play describes a situation whereby customers play pickleball in the order in which they arrive, those who arrive first play first.

Skill Ratings

Ever wanted to know how well your skills stack up against other players? Want to make sure you aren't taking on a game against others who are much more or less better than you are? That's where Skill Ratings come in.

Skill Ratings allow you to determine how advanced your playing skill happens to be - without the need of someone else evaluating your skills. With a simple number, you can determine if you want to get involved in a certain game based on your opponent's skill level.

Download the Skill Ratings Information Sheet

Schedule, Results and Court Assignments

Doubles Ladder League FAQ

Ladder League Schedule & Court Placement

Rules and Format

The format of the doubles ladder league is designed for participants to play against others of similar skill levels. The doubles ladder league is going to be a team round robin format. It is based on skill level not gender. Teams may consist of 2, men, 2 women or mixed. The pickleball coordinator reserves the right to change formatting depending on the number of registrants.

1. The ball of choice is Head Penn. Players may use a different ball if both teams agree.
2. Each week, 2 teams will play 3 games to 15 win by one.
3. If you cannot attend your weekly match, you must make it up before the next week’s match is played.
4. A time and place for make-up matches will be agreed upon by both teams. If the make up match doesn’t take place, the team that needed to reschedule will have zero points for the week and their opponents will get half the points. (23 points)
5. All matches will begin 15 minutes after the scheduled match start time.
6. Subs will only be permitted in cases of injury or illness. Make-up matches will be preferred.
7. We will have a League Championship at the end of 7 weeks. The morning league teams will play the evening league teams. The matches will be divided by skill and final rankings. Everyone will participate. For example: morning beginner 1st place vs evening beginner 1st place / morning beginner 2nd place vs evening beginner 2nd place / etc... / This will take place on a weekend. Date to be determined.

General Information

Ladder League format and rules are defined by the City of Tallahassee and USA Pickleball Association. Format and rules may be subject to change if necessary.

1. All players must be 18 years of age and older to participate.
2. Players are self-rated, and all matches are doubles format. Games are based upon skill level and teams may be men’s, women’s or mixed.
3. The league has 4 skill levels/divisions. Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
4. Players are permitted to play both the morning and evening leagues within their skill level.
5. The ladder league is limited to 8 teams per skill level. One person will register for the team.
6. Players are responsible to bring their own paddles, pickleballs and water.
7. Players at the end of each match should record the score using the USAPA Pickleball scoresheet provided. All players must sign the scoresheet acknowledging the score is correctly recorded. A screen shot of the match score will be sent by the highest scoring player to Tommy Cleversy at 850-567-4366. Please include your full name with text.

Interruption of a Match (Recording of Scores)

Scoring for interrupted matches due to weather or injury should be handled as follows:

1. If the match is terminated before the start of the third game, scores will be recorded.
2. If the match is terminated sometime during the third game, points for the third game will be assumed to be the final score. For example, if the score was 9 to 7 at termination, the winning team would get the 9 points and losing team will receive 7 points.
3. If the match is terminated before play starts players can decide to complete match on their own time but before the following week's match.

For league questions, please contact one of the following people whose job is most applicable to your concern:

Barbara Cairns (night league coordinator)
Tommy Cleversy (scoresheets & points)
Mike Dennison (day league coordinator)
Lenin Mongerie (pickleball coordinator)

Indoor courts have specific times for use of the court. Click on the individual date events for more information on each facility.

All Community Centers are Open Play at this time

• Open Play is a Drop-In session in which players simply drop-in, without advanced reservations, to play other drop-in players.
• The term "Open Play" is used in pickleball to designate playing times that are open for players of all skill levels and years of experience to mix together to have fun playing pickleball, In Open Play, competition takes a back seat to the social aspects of meeting people, making everyone feel welcome.

Open Play Locations and Phone Numbers

• Jack McLean: 850-891-2505 (3 courts)
• Walker-Ford: 850-891-3970 (3 courts)
• Sue Herndon McCollum: 850-891-3946 (3 courts)
• Lawrence-Gregory: 850-891-3910 (3 courts)
• Tallahassee Senior Center: 850-891-4000 (2 courts)

 

Tom Brown Park - 4 Courts

Tom Brown Park offers both monitored and non-monitored times. During monitored times, there is a fee to play pickleball.
Monitored times include:

• Monday - Friday: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
• Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am - 1:00pm

Winthrop Park - 6 Courts

Winthrop Park offers both monitored and non-monitored times. During monitored times, there is a fee to play pickleball.
Monitored times include:

• Monday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am - 1:00pm

Court Reservations and Fees

To reserve a court you must call Forestmeadows at 850-891-4940
For General pickleball information, call 850-891-4979

• Singles - $5.25
• Singles Senior* - $4.25
• Doubles - $4.00
• Doubles Senior* - $3.25
• To qualify for the senior rate, you must be at least 62 years of age

During non-monitored hours you cannot reserve courts.
There are no court fees at either park for Tennis or Pickleball during non-monitored hours.

Open Play

Open Play is a Drop-in session in which players simply drop in, without advance reservations, to play other Drop-in players.

The term used in pickleball to designate playing times that are open for players of all skill levels and years of experience to mix together to have fun playing pickleball. In Open Play, competition takes a back seat to the social aspects of meeting people, making everyone feel welcome.

A few guidelines for Open Play pickleball are below:

• Open play is generally played with doubles games being played.
• Players will use the “RACK” to identify what order each person will go on the court.
• Players will Play up to 11 points win by 2 if less the 6 players are waiting to play.
• Once the courts are full, the players will continue to use the “RACK” to make sure the next game moves into position quickly.
• If 6 players are waiting, players will play 9 points instead of 11 points. After a game is over, all 4 playing players will switch out to allow 4 new players a game.

Note: All reservation payments must be made before play at the monitor station next to court Tennis Court 5.
For more information please email Lenin Mongerie.

Other Outdoor Courts

All outdoor courts (excluding Tom Brown and Winthrop) are "First Come - First Play" at this time.

• Jack L. McLean Courts - 700 Paul Russell Road
  2 courts with adjustable net straps and painted lines. Bring your own paddles and balls.
• Lafayette Park - 501 Ingleside Drive
  Net tie-downs, paddles and balls available inside the Sue McCollum Community Center only during regular office hours.
• LeVerne Payne Community Center - 450 West 4th Avenue
  2 courts with adjustable net straps and painted lines. Bring your own paddles and balls.
• Jake Gaither - 801 Bragg Drive
  2 courts
• Walker-Ford - 2301 Pasco Street
  3 courts - Nighttime play is available.