In this episode of The Dink Tank, we speak with Kevin Turain, Treasurer of the Middletown Pickleball Association (MPA), about the remarkable growth of their organization from humble beginnings to a thriving community with 27 courts and 600+ members. Kevin shares insights on tournament organization, ladder leagues, beginner programming, and the social dynamics that make pickleball so addictive.
Key Topics Covered
- [00:01:30] Kevin's pickleball origin story and how his wife Ike introduced him to the sport
- [00:04:15] The history of MPA - from Stanley and Marsha Volkins' DIY courts to 27 professional courts
- [00:07:45] MPA's unique partnership with the city of Middletown for court maintenance and programming
- [00:09:30] The "Learn to Play" program - free beginner lessons with 10 different skills stations
- [00:12:40] Tournament organization - managing 400-450 players in a single day
- [00:15:20] The different ladder league formats (novice, intermediate, advanced, women's, seniors)
- [00:18:45] How DUPR rating integration works with league play for accurate skill matching
- [00:22:10] Court access, the webcam system, and 24/7 playing opportunities
- [00:24:35] MPA membership benefits ($75 annually) and discounted equipment
- [00:27:50] Tournament advice for beginners and understanding rating systems
- [00:30:15] Breaking through skill plateaus with professional instruction
- [00:33:40] The psychology of pickleball's addictive nature and social dynamics
- [00:36:20] Traveling and finding pickleball courts anywhere with the Pickle Play app
Notable Quotes
"The courts are lit until 11 p.m., and our lights turn on at 5 a.m... so if the weather's right, you can go out and play." - Kevin Turain on MPA's accessibility
"I found that I'd get better, feel good about some skills, and then plateau. The only way I was able to get out of that plateau was to get some lessons from a professional instructor." - Kevin Turain on skill development
"Most games last less than 15 minutes. You have a relationship with three other people for 15 minutes... Usually in that time, you decide 'I'd like to play with them again' or 'I wouldn't like to play with them again.'" - Kevin Turain on pickleball's social dynamics
Resources Mentioned
- Middletown Pickleball Association: MiddletownPickleball.com
- Pickle Play app for finding courts nationwide
- DUPR rating system for accurate skill assessment
- Pickleball Central for discounted equipment (available through MPA membership)
- Professional instructors mentioned: Todd Jungling (Pickleball Max) and Cammie Stoner
Connect With Us
- Email questions: bpwoodall@yahoo.com
Sponsors
Cedar Bay Farm
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#Pickleball #PickleballCommunity #PickleballTournaments #TheDinkTank #PickleballLeagues #DUPR #LearnToPlayPickleball
