Pickleball Central Newsletter | Issue #016

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May 20, 2026 2:45pm EDT

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COURTSIDE | ISSUE #016

This week's issue is brought to you by:

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AROUND THE POST

Pickleball Headlines and Happenings

Selkirk acquired Bread & Butter: Here's why it could be genius or disaster

Previewing MLP Dallas: Eleven teams take the court at Pickler Universe

Inside Ben Johns’ humble approach to greatness

Drilling like the pros: Pickleball training routines explained

Best pickleball paddles 2026: Choosing the right one for you

Stories that go beyond the game

STILL IN PLAY
By: Selkirk Studios

"Still in Play" is a short documentary that follows Scott Rider, a two-time All-American runner who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This is Scott's inspiring story of taking life in stride and refusing to give up.

See how pickleball gave Scott a renewed sense of purpose and community—as well as a reason to keep fighting.

WATCH NOW

Got a story to share? Submit it here

FROM THE BASELINE

Practical advice for players at every level

In this series, Coach Mark Price takes you through his ten favorite pickleball drills of all time. Learn how to improve your dinks, drives, partner cooperation, court positioning, and more.

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Mesa, Arizona is the kind of place that makes a pickleball trip feel easy to justify. You get sunshine, desert scenery, strong restaurants, easy East Valley access, and now one of the most compelling training experiences in the sport: Selkirk Academy.

If your ideal pickleball vacation includes more than casual open play, Mesa belongs on your list. You can sign up for a focused session at Selkirk Academy, build in extra games around town, and still have time for great food, desert hikes, museums, and family-friendly stops between court sessions.

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Courtship - The Heart of a Bigger Sweet Spot

Last Wednesday night, I went to Oasis Pickleball Club in Rockwall, Texas to play in an organized Kings Court. It’s always a little exciting and unnerving to go to a new place to play my favorite game with total strangers, whose games I have no familiarity with. Coming in fresh to a group where I have no clue of their individual strengths, weaknesses, proclivities, favorite shots, or expertise, married with all of mine—including my disability—often brings a mixed bag of results. As someone who will always see doubles pickleball as a partnered event built on trust, communication, safety, and a deep familiarity with each other‘s games, a Round Robin or Kings Court with strangers has a tendency to rub up against these qualities.

After the first game, I found myself on the bottom court. I could tell my ego was getting involved as I started to worry about what these people were going to think about me and how I work in professional pickleball, and how I’m here with my friend (and boss). I felt torn between feelings of apathy and competitive spirit...

Daniel Singer is a senior designer at Pickleball Central and a certified relationship coach. He is an avid pickleball player and plays with a rare disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. He resides in Orem, Utah.

In this edition of Inside MLP, Will and Dave preview the 2026 MLP season by taking a closer look at the schedule, new rules, and all 20 rosters. All that and more Inside MLP!