Pickleball

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

Ladder League Schedule & Court Placement

Rules and Format

The format of the ladder league is designed for participants to play with others of similar skill levels. Ranking on the ladder is based upon overall points won percentage (the ratio of points won to total points against you). Players will move up or down the ladder based upon their overall points earned percentage. Each week court placement is based on overall ranking.

1. The ball of choice is Head Penn. Players may use a different ball if all 4 players agree.
2. The initial lineup for week 1 will utilize the previous season's data and use average points per match to determine the overall ranking. The ranking than will be used for the initial court placement. New players will be placed on court 4.
3. Each week, players will be placed in groups of 4 in the order of their ranking on the ladder for match play. All players will play three doubles games to 15, win by 2. Each player will play one game with the other three players of the foursome. At the start of the game, the lowest ranked player on your court decides who their partner is in each round. The opposing team gets to decide to receive or serve. It is recommended that the players change ends of the court when one of the teams has reached 8 points.
4. Please try to attend all weekly matches. If you cannot attend, please contact the day or night league coordinator and get a sub from the list. If you are unable to secure a sub from the list, contact the other 3 players in your group to help.
5. Missed matches will not made up.
6. The highest ranked player on each court will text results of the matches to the league coordinator. Overall results will be emailed to all participants. Each week there will be winner with the highest points won percentage. Weekly wins will be used to break ties between two players if they have the same points won percentage.
7. If a player cannot play a scheduled match it will result in a -2% deduction from their overall percentage. If 2 matches are missed, the second one will result in a -7% deduction and a third scheduled match missed results in a -10% deduction from the overall percentage.
8. All matches will begin 15 minutes after the scheduled match start time.
9. A no call or no show will result in an automatic -10% deduction for that player's overall percentage.

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 rankings and 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. Substitutes may be used. Similar skill level is preferred.
6. Please contact a substitute on the list as soon as you are aware of your absence.
7. The ladder league is limited to 16 players per skill level
8. Players are responsible to bring their own paddles, pickleballs and water.
9. 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 match results are posted. If 3 people in the group can agree to a make up match and the 4th can not "Skinny Singles" rule will be played.

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 - Thursday: 4:30pm - 7:30pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 8:00am - 12:00pm

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 Tom Brown Park for Tennis or Pickleball during non-monitored hours.

Open Play at Tom Brown Park

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) 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.