Cleveland Summer Paddle League

Summer Paddle is almost here. The quest for the coveted Golden Paddle will begin on May 13, 2025. 

NOTE ON ELIGIBILITY:

You are eligible to play SPL if:

1.  You are new to SPL (or paddle in general) but not a member anywhere yet.  This is a one-year introductory offer to introduce you to the paddle community. 

2.  You are a paying member at any GCPTA affiliated club willing to host the league.  If you are unsure if your club is participating, you should speak with your club or someone involved in organizing paddle there.

You are NOT eligible if:

1.  You are a seasoned paddle who is no longer a member of a participating club.  Seasoned means you have played in the sanctioned GCPTA leagues in the past. 

2.  You have played more than three weeks of past SPL in the past but are not a member anywhere.

3.  Your club has new rules that prevent members from hosting/participating in SPL.

Details of the League are as follows:

  • When:  Tuesday nights from May 13 through mid-September.  Start time will typically but not always be 7:00.

  • Where:  Like other leagues, the venues may rotate between all the clubs where there are SPL members.  In practice, we typically utilize four-court venues and make sure to bring revenues to those clubs.  In order to help compensate the hosting clubs, we ask that people do not bring their own beverages and make an effort to purchase them from the clubs.  There are no location requests or requests to play with certain people – if you have an unusual restriction that requires a specific location, you can be added to the sub list for that week, and will be slotted in your requested location if there is a slot and that location fits your player profile. 

  • Who:  The league is open to all interested Northeast Ohio paddle players of all genders and ages (over 18).  Whether you are really good or new to the game, the league is set up to challenge everyone and more importantly to be FUN for everyone.   The only thing we ask is that you have been on a paddle court before your first week and know how to keep score.  If you are a raw beginner, please inquire about lessons before the season begins- we can help! 

  • Cost: As always, your fee will go toward balls (a major cost that other leagues do not cover), favor, prizes and an occasional SPL sponsored happy hour at one of the paddle venues.   The fee for all players is $100.  If you are unsure about your participation, you can be refunded your money if you have played three or less weeks by the end of the year.  For new players who are not yet a member of the GCPTA, we will be paying the GCPTA $5 for you to make you a temporary summer GCPTA member – this is mainly for insurance purposes.

  • Format:  We are using the same general format as in the past, which is intended to make the league FUN, different, exciting, and amenable to players of different skill levels and genders.  Sign up is individual, and there is no obligation to play every week.  Players have an option of opting in or out each week. While an effort is made to place you at your own club more than others, you will potentially play at any participating club on a given week.

  • Point System:  There will be point system that rewards not only good play, but also attendance.  Players will receive points for showing up and then receive more points for good play.   Point leaders will potentially win prizes at the end of the year, including the coveted SPL Golden Paddle.

  • Weekly Match Format:  We will typically use the same format as in the past.  Under this format, everyone plays four 8-game sets.  After each set, players switch partners and opponents in a predetermined format.  Typically, the first set will be the most diverse where we mix more experienced players with less experienced players.  This is often, but not always, a mixed set.  The last set, which is longer than the others, typically is a same-sex set with players of similar ability.  Often, these same four people voluntarily play another set or two.  Usually, you will play at least two sets with your own gender and then a set or two in a mixed format. 

  • Communication: Each week, players will receive an email from clevelandpaddle@gmail.com asking whether they will play the following week.  The accepted responses are “in”, “out”, and “I can play as a sub or if needed for even numbers.”  Every effort will be made for the number of players each week to be divisible by four.  Players can help ensure this by NOT cancelling on short notice.  We do not always have room for everyone and we need a sublist, so if you do not answer quickly each week, you risk being on the sub list.  The sublist is at least partially used every single week and often on short notice, so if you are on the sublist, that is considered a commitment to play that week. 

Online communications will occur on ClevelandPaddle.com and also on the “Cleveland Paddle” group on Facebook.  ClevelandPaddle is also on Instagram.  Most of the recurring communications will be via email. 

  • Rainouts:  In the event of a rainout, players will be notified via email as soon as possible – this is always a challenge and not a perfect science.   We will not play in the rain or if it is lightning, but might play if it is lightly raining.  Please confirm it is officially rained out before deciding not to show up.  In the event of rain, we will allow a 20-minute window of rain.  The hut commander at each venue is responsible for this decision.

  • Questions:  Any questions or comments can be sent to the league director at clevelandpaddle@gmail.com. 

  • If you must call off with short notice, please text Brent at 330-416-5509

Looking forward to another great year of SPL!

Brent