MENTOR PICKLEBALL
SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

Below is information about Pickleball in the Mentor, OH area:
1. Tournaments – 2 outdoor / 3 indoor tournaments remaining in 2024
2. Leagues (Sept-Oct) – outdoor and indoor
3. Learn to Play:  Beginner Class, Beginner Clinic, and Beginner League
4. Lessons / “3 and Me” Sessions / Drill Sessions
5. Public Outdoor Play  (Mentor Civic Center Park)
6. Indoor Play (Pickleball Play 365)
7. Places to Play
8. About Us

NOTE:  THE MENTOR CIVIC CENTER COURTS WILL BE RE-PAINTED.  THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START MONDAY, SEPT 23rd AND WILL TAKE 7-10 DAYS TO COMPLETE (WEATHER PERMITTING).  DURING THIS TIME, ALL COURTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CLOSED.


1.  TOURNAMENTS

Shootout Tournaments will be held outdoors through September at Mentor Civic Center Park, then indoors beginning in October at Pickleball Play 365 (PBP365).  Below is the remaining 2024 schedule.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

SEPT 7  MEN'S DOUBLES SHOOTOUT (Mentor Civic Center Park)- Saturday, Sept 7th.  Registration is OPEN.  Looking for 1-2 teams in 3.0 division.

SEPT 21 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Sept 21st, all divisions start at 11:00 am.  Registration is OPEN.

OCT 12 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Oct 12th, 3.0 and 4.0 divisions start at 9:00 am, 3.5 and 4.5 divisions start at 12:00 pm.  Registration will open Sept 5. 

NOV 9 MIXED DOUBLES SHOOTOUT - Saturday, Nov 9th, 3.0 and 4.0 divisions start at 9:00 am, 3.5 and 4.5 divisions start at 12:00 pm.  Registration will open Sept 5. 

DEC 7 – MEN'S DOUBLES.  Registration to open Oct 15.

Entry fee is $25 per person for outdoor tournaments, and $35 per person for indoor tournaments.  Entry fee covers all tournament play, medals for top 3 teams in each division, and pizza at end of the event.  Tournament play typically runs 3 hours.  Teams will play a game against each other team in their skill division, and divisions will normally max out at 10 teams.  If a division has more than 10 teams, we will typically divide into 2 pools.

For details, and to register for all Shootouts, go to:
https://mentor.royalpickleball.com

Don't get shut out - these events often fill up and we have to turn people away!

If there are any questions, best to e-mail Ken Werner at [email protected].  Or you can text/call at 440-478-6542.


2.  LEAGUES – OUTDOOR AND INDOOR

We currently have openings for the September-October session in the following Pickleball leagues which are held both outdoors at Mentor Civic Center Park and indoors at Pickleball Play 365.  We run 8-week sessions, and sign-up priority is always given to those who played in the previous session.  If a league is full, we place players on a wait list in case openings arise.  (Beginning with the November-December session, all leagues will be held indoors at PBP365).

Our leagues are organized by skill level, and involve doubles play only.  We take individual sign-ups, and players do NOT need to have a partner.  Players will be paired with random partners and against random opponents each game.

OUTDOOR LEAGUES – Mentor Civic Center Park, 8600 Munson Rd, Mentor.
Start Sept 3rd and end Oct 26th, league play is 6 games each week, cost per outdoor league is $30.

DAY / TIME / LEVEL
Monday at 12:00 noon - Advanced+ (4.0+)
Mondays at 2:00 pm -  Intermediate / Advanced (3.25-3.5)
Tuesdays at 12:00 noon - Advanced (3.75) - LIMITED OPENINGS
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm - Intermediate (3.0)
Wednesdays at 12:00 noon - Intermediate (3.25)
Wednesdays at 2:00 pm - Lower Intermediate (2.75)
Thursdays at 12:00 noon -  Advanced (3.5) - CURRENTLY FULL
Thursdays at 2:00 pm - Intermediate (3.0)
Fridays at 12:00 noon -  Intermediate / Advanced (3.25-3.5) - LIMITED OPENINGS
Fridays at 2:00 pm - Lower Intermediate (2.75)
Saturdays at 12:00 noon * -  Intermediate / Advanced (3.25-3.5)
*Saturday league will start at 3:00 pm on days when there is an outdoor tournament (i.e. Sept 7, Sept 21)

INDOOR LEAGUES - Pickleball Play 365, 8001 Moving Way, Mentor.
Start Sept 3rd and end Oct 28th, league play is 2 hours each week.ost per leagues is $60.  League participants will need to be Pickleball Play 365 members, and memberships start as low as $10/month.

DAY/TIME/LEVEL
Mondays at 9:00 am -  Advanced (3.5)
Mondays at 7:00 pm - Advanced+ (4.0+)
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm - Advanced (3.5) - LIMITED OPENINGS
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm - Intermediate (3.0-3.25)
Fridays at 9:00 am - Advanced (3.75)

We intend to add indoor leagues as interest is shown.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Our leagues are organized by skill level to allow for the best pickleball experience for all.  Please pay close attention to the level of each league, and be very realistic as to where you would best fit in.  With any league, you need to be competitive.  We will always work with people to find the most appropriate league, and if we cannot accommodate, we will provide a refund.

HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up or if questions, e-mail Ken at  [email protected].  You can also text to 440-478-6542.  Include name, e-mail address and which league(s) you are interested in.  We will respond whether we have spots available.  We also maintain a Wait List for each league.  If you are interested in a particular league and it is FULL, we encourage you to put your name on the Wait List, as we often have dropouts due to any number of reasons.


3.  BEGINNER CLASS / CLINIC / LEAGUE

Learn to play the fastest growing sport in the country!!  There are several options.

BEGINNER CLASS (4 WEEKS)
Best option for beginners to learn to play the game and meet other beginner players.

Dates:  Thursdays (Sept 19, Sept 26, Oct 3, Oct 10)
Time:  6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location:  Pickleball Play 365 (indoor facility)
Cost:  $75 per person
Equipment provided.

Dates:  Sundays (Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13)
Time:  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:  Pickleball Play 365 (indoor facility)
Cost:  $75 per person
Equipment provided.

To register for Beginner Classes, call 440-568-7529(PLAY).

BEGINNER CLINIC (1 DAY)
Good option for those with limited time and need a quick learning experience.

Date:  Saturday, October 5th
Time:  2:00-3:30 pm
Location:  Pickleball Play 365 (indoor facility)
Cost: $25 per person
Equipment provided.

To register for Beginner Clinics, call 440-568-7529(PLAY).

BEGINNER LEAGUE (8 WEEKS)
A great "Next Step" after you have a basic understanding of the game.  Play with other Beginner players and see the improvement in your play over just a few short weeks!

It is recommended that you have completed a Beginner Class, Beginner Clinic, or have a basic understanding of the game.

There are 2 days/times to choose from:

Date:  Saturdays (Sept 7 - Sept 28) - 4 weeks
Time:  12:00-2:00 pm
Location:  Pickleball Play 365 (indoor facility),  8001 Moving Way (off Tyler Blvd), Mentor, OH 44060
Cost:  $34 per person for remaining 4 weeks
Bring your own paddle.  Balls provided.

Date:  Tuesdays (Sept 10 – Oct 29) - 8 weeks
Time:  6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location:  Pickleball Play 365 (indoor facility),  8001 Moving Way (off Tyler Blvd), Mentor, OH 44060
Cost:  $60 per person for 8-week session (cost will be pro-rated for those joining mid-session)
Bring your own paddle.  Balls provided.

You must be a PBP365 member to join a league.  Memberships start as low as $10/month and can be canceled anytime.

To join as a member and/or register for a Beginner League, go to:  [PickleballPlay365.org]PickleballPlay365.org


4.  LESSONS / ”3 AND ME” SESSIONS / DRILL SESSIONS

“3 and Me” sessions are a chance for 3-4 people to play in a game with an instructor and receive personalized tips/instructions.  Improve your game by receiving instruction that is pertinent to you in an actual game.  Cost is $25 per person.

Regular lessons are also available – cost is $70 per hour for up to 4 people.

For both “3 and Me” sessions and lessons, contact Brian Murphy at 440-221-7487 or e-mail:    [email protected].

Drill sessions are also available Wednesdays with Mike Manes, 7-8 pm.  Cost is $15 members / $20 non-members.

All training sessions / lessons will be held indoors at Pickleball Play 365.


5.  PUBLIC OUTDOOR PLAY  (Mentor Civic Center Park)

Outdoor play is available at Mentor Civic Center Park.  Courts are located behind the outdoor pools, and are available daily from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm.

As in the past, courts are available to groups on a first-come, first-served basis.  (Each player is responsible for finding or organizing their own playing group).  

The City of Mentor has posted additional rules:
- No savings of courts
- Play is limited to 2 games to 11 when other players are waiting.

Busiest times of play are typically 8:00-11:00 am (all days) and 5:00-8:00 pm (Sun-Fri).

Courts will be UNAVAILABLE on the following Saturdays from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm when tournaments are being held:
Sept 7, Sept 21


6.  INDOOR PLAY

A new indoor Pickleball facility has opened in Mentor:

PICKLEBALL PLAY 365
Location:  8001 Moving Way (off Tyler Blvd), Mentor, OH 44060
Phone:  440-568-7529
E-mail: [email protected]
Hours:  Monday-Saturday 7AM–9PM; Sunday 9AM-7PM
Website:  [PickleballPlay365.org]PickleballPlay365.org

Facebook:  Pickleball Play 365

Pickleball Play 365 offers 8 indoor pickleball courts designed for an optimal playing experience. The facility features four-sided ball containment on all courts, state-of-the-art cushioned surfaces, LED sports lighting to reduce glare, ample eight-foot spacing around seven courts, a premier center court with additional spacing, and an expansive 30-foot ceiling height. Pickleball Play 365 offers open play times and reserved courts.  We will soon be offering lessons for all skill levels, clinics, leagues, tournaments, youth programs, and a variety of themed events. The facility is committed to providing the best possible pickleball experience, guided by feedback from guests and an advisory board of local pickleball experts!


7.  PLACES TO PLAY - CLEVELAND/AKRON AREA

Click here for detailed information on Places to Play in the Cleveland/Akron area.  This list has been put together and maintained by Rick Warsinskey who is a Cleveland Area Pickleball Ambassador.  It not only includes the addresses of available courts, but includes many notes on hours, activities, etc. at each location.  Thanks, Rick!!

We have also added a link on our home page ([www.mentorpickleball.org]www.mentorpickleball.org) if you ever need to access the Places to Play list.


*********************************************************************************************************
8.  ABOUT US:

WHAT IS MENTOR PICKLEBALL?
Mentor Pickleball is the collaboration of two brothers and a friend (Brian Murphy, Mike Murphy, Ken Werner) who enjoy and want to promote the sport of Pickleball in the Mentor, OH area. We work with the City of Mentor and help with maintaining facilities and organizing clinics, lessons, leagues, and tournaments. We also maintain a website ([www.mentorpickleball.org]www.mentorpickleball.org), an e-mailbox ([email protected]), and publish this e-newsletter as a free service to help "spread the word".

E-MAIL LIST
If you are receiving this e-mail, you are currently on our e-mail distribution list and will periodically receive information on Pickleball in the Mentor and Northeast Ohio areas.  To unsubscribe or add an e-mail address, e-mail us at  [email protected].

WEBSITE
Check out our website [www.mentorpickleball.org]www.mentorpickleball.org for general information on Pickleball in the Mentor (OH) area.
Our latest newsletter is always posted on our website under the "Newsletter" tab.

QUESTIONS? / FEEDBACK?
We would like to hear from you! E-mail us at  [email protected]  with any questions or feedback. Leave a phone number if you would like to talk with someone directly.

MENTOR CIVIC CENTER PARK
- Located at 8600 Munson Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
- 15 outdoor Pickleball courts (located behind outdoor pools)
- Courts scheduled to be re-painted this year, with permanent nets
- Individually fenced courts
- Courts available 7 days per week, with lights for night-time play (until approx. 11:00 pm)
- Currently open to residents and non-residents, with no cost to play

PICKLEBALL PLAY 365
- Located at 8001 Moving Way, Mentor, OH 44060
- 8 dedicated indoor Pickleball courts with state-of-the-art cushioned playing surfaces, LED sports lighting. 30' ceiling, substantial spacing around all courts, and large lounge/hospitality area.
- Website:  PickleballPlay365.org
- For inquiries, contact Ben Beasley at [email protected] or 440-568-7529(PLAY).

Hope to see you on the courts!

Brian Murphy, Mike Murphy, Ken Werner
Mentor Pickleball