Jump Into Open Play — Play More, Meet Players, Have Fun
Make your playing experience EASY by downloading Dinkville App
Hey Dinkville Community,
Looking for an easy way to play more pickleball, meet new players, or jump into games without needing a full group? Open Play is for you.
What is Open Play?
Open Play is designed for anyone — whether you’re coming solo, with a friend, or hoping to mix in with others. We designate courts specifically for Open Play, where players rotate in, find games easily, and keep the action flowing. It’s relaxed, social, and one of the best ways to play regularly.
When is Open Play?
• Every evening during the week
• Weekends: morning and evening Open Play sessions
CHECK DINKVILLE APP FOR UPDATED SCHEDULE
There are plenty of options, so you can find a time that works with your schedule.
How to sign up:
1. Open the Dinkville app HERE
2. Select Open Play
3. Choose a time that works for you
4. Sign up and show up ready to play
If you’ve been wanting to play more, meet other players, or just keep things simple — Open Play is the move.
Want to Play More? Check Out Our Memberships
We’ve got options depending on how often you want to be on the courts:
Basic Membership — $19.99/month
• 50% off Open Play
• 25% off pickleball court reservations
• 25% off mini golf
Plus Membership — $49.99/month
• FREE Open Play
• 50% off pickleball court reservations
• 50% off mini golf
If you’re coming out regularly, these memberships pay for themselves fast. Find the option that fits your play style, lock it in, and get out there on the courts.
Dinkville is proud to be sponsored by Selkirk, and we highly recommend their exceptional products and strong commitment to the future of pickleball. Make sure to use code ADV-LHALLAM at Checkout to receive a FREE GIFT!
Today In Pickleball Brought To You By The Dink
The Chariot Whip: The Follow-Through with Flair
Most players generate topspin by coming across their body. It works, but it telegraphs your shot and limits your options.
The Chariot Whip keeps your opponent guessing because your finish looks the same whether you're attacking or defending.
Nailing this motion is simple:
- Drop your paddle tip below the ball
- Make contact on the bottom half of the ball
- From there, you "answer the phone" on the same side of your body where you started
Go ahead and do that right now. We’ll wait… Now you see where the name comes from?
It’s that easy. No crossing your body. No fancy footwork. Just a compact motion that creates insane topspin and deception.
It’s consistent, it’s disguised, and it works for a variety of different shots, from drives to resets to dinks and attacks.
You’re swinging the same simple pattern every time, but on the other side of the net, your opponent is left guessing until the last possible moment, often until it’s too late.
Ben Johns made this follow-through famous and still uses it to this day. And that’s worked out pretty well for him.
MLP Consolidates to 20 Teams, Eliminates Challenger Level
Last year, Major League Pickleball featured 16 teams in the Premier Level and 6 in Challenger. The gap between top and bottom teams, at times, made for pretty uninspired match play. And it proved difficult to motivate fans to care equally about two separate divisions.
Well, just yesterday, MLP dropped some major competition structure updates that change all that.
We go deep on everything in our article, but here are the highlights:
- MLP has consolidated to 20 total teams
- Challenger Level has been dissolved; it’s all just “MLP” from here
- The Brooklyn Pickleball Team and NY Hustlers are merging and will operate as Brooklyn for the 2026 season
- Two teams — the Nashville Chefs and DC Pickleball Team — won’t compete at all this season, as they’re exploring franchise sales
- All events will now feature 11 teams — one pool of five, one of six
Brand-new expansion team the Palm Beach Royals also made news yesterday by signing Sofia Sewing, the top-ranked APP Tour pro who just signed with MLP.
This is a big move for Major League Pickleball that should help galvanize fandom around one premium product. There’s lots more to come leading up to the free agency draft on Friday, February 27.
New York City Launches First-Ever Youth Pickleball Program, Backed by MLP
Conquer Kids has been named the Official Youth Pickleball Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, marking the first youth development initiative in New York City to be formally supported by a Major League Pickleball team.
The partnership, powered by JOOLA, just launched and aims to introduce pickleball to students from second grade through high school across the New York City public school system, all through in-school instruction, after-school enrichment, and community-based programming.
With more than one million students enrolled citywide, the stated goal is to put a paddle in the hands of every NYC public school student.
Initial programming will roll out at a group of seven schools across multiple boroughs. Expansion to additional schools is planned.
If the pilot program is successful, the program could roll out to other U.S. cities going forward.
“Pickleball is growing at an incredible pace, but growth only matters if it’s accessible,” said Louis Long, Co-Founder of Conquer Kids. “By partnering with the Brooklyn Pickleball Team and JOOLA, we’re ensuring kids across all five boroughs have the opportunity to learn, play, and fall in love with the game.”
➡️ Learn more.
Anna Leigh Waters Plays Pickleball with Pat McAfee Live on ESPN
Since signing a landmark deal with Nike, world No. 1 pickleball pro Anna Leigh Waters has enjoyed her fair share of mainstream pop culture moments.
First was a shoutout in a Jimmy Fallon monologue on The Tonight Show. Then there were the PPA billboards with her likeness in Times Square. Now, she's playing pickleball against Pat McAfee live on ESPN from Super Bowl Radio Row.
The clip starts with Anna Leigh talking to McAfee from a nearby podium, but quickly morphs into a dink rally using the host's desk as a net.
At one point, you can even hear ALW calling "kitchen!" on McAfee, who was absolutely trying to win the point.
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Thank you,
Landon Hallam
Dinkville Founder/CEO