Category: Announcements

Used for board members to communicate with association members for news and instruction.

HCPA News Update – 12/13/24

Posted on by Earl Sneeringer

Dear Members,

The Howard County Pickleball Association is excited to announce the launch of a new online
platform, CourtReserve. This more robust platform will consolidate the current HCPA Website and
the Stack Team App into a single application for membership management, registrations, and
communications. Once the transition is complete, HCPA members will be able to access
CourtReserve through both a computer and a user-friendly mobile app. Below is the timeline for
the transition:

December – Testing Phase

Our tech team, session coordinators, and other volunteers are currently testing the new system to
ensure everything runs smoothly.

January – Enrollment Period & Rollout

In January, HCPA members will receive a Welcome Email from CourtReserve, which will include:
 A request to download the app.
 A link to access your account and instructions for setting a new password.
 A request to complete your personal information, enter a credit card number for
membership renewals and optional paid events (such as indoor sessions, round robins,
and tournaments), and sign the required waiver.

Additionally, we will begin using CourtReserve to manage memberships and registrations, running
it in parallel with the current system if necessary. A full transition is expected by the end of
January, at which point CourtReserve will become the primary system for all HCPA operations.
The current website and Stack Team App will no longer be active. Please note that with
CourtReserve, all members will be required to RSVP to a session in order to receive updates,
including notifications if a session is cancelled.

We are confident that this new system will enhance your experience with the Association.
However, as with any major change, we anticipate some bumps along the way, and we appreciate
your patience in advance. As we get closer to the launch, we will provide additional updates and
instructions. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a session
coordinator, a member of the tech committee, or a board member.

Thank you for being part of the Howard County Pickleball Association. We look forward to an
exciting new chapter!

Warm regards,
Andy Dalal for
The Howard County Pickleball Association

HCPA Clothing Store Closing

Posted on by Earl Sneeringer
Attention Members;
After 5 years working with our association, our clothing supplier is closing the HCPA Store. The orders for clothing and hats has been too lite to sustain their support. 
The store is closing at the end of September. It's not to late to place an order if you want to pick up a few logo shirts. 
We would like to thank The Spoiled Office for their support the last few years. 
Remember orders are shipped directly to your home. Order today.   

HCPA News Update – 9/3/24

Posted on by Earl Sneeringer

King and Queen of the Court and Tournament Prep

Play games and move up or down courts based on your performance! A great way to get in games, meet
other players from both HCPA and outside of HCPA, and have fun. Each session tries to cater to a
different group of players!

Format of Event: Doubles
Time: 120 Minute Session(s)
Play time: Mondays 7-9 pm beginning 09/09/24
Number of Players: Maximum 24 (sign up as individual except for Tournament Prep on 09/23/24 see
below)
Location: Western Regional Dedicated Pickleball Courts 5-10
Cost:

$5 for HCPA Members
$10 for all others

Exception:  Tournament Prep Session on 09/23/24 (Cash Prizes to be Awarded):

$10 for HCPA Members
$15 for all others

Registration: Through Cheddar Up website/app for all sessions and all players, including waitlist

Format:
• Players will be assigned to courts based on DUPR rating at the time of registration or self-rating
(confirmed by peer review). Please note that co-ed sessions are NOT mixed doubles sessions. Two
women could play against two men.
• Seven Timed Games per session: 13 minutes each
• If a game is tied at end of the time limit, one rally point will be played to decide the winner
• Scores will be recorded on the score sheet by the players located at each court of play
• First server/side will be decided by Odds & Evens
• The 2 players who win their match will move up a court (Court #1 being the highest) and the
other 2 Players move down a court (Court #6 being the lowest). The players will then split to create new
teams.
• All scores will be reported to DUPR.

Medals will be awarded for each session’s winners. In addition, a cash prize will be awarded for the
tournament prep session

Requirements for Registration

• Must have DUPR account and be a part of Howard County Pickleball Association DUPR Club 48-
hours prior to the first game.

Skill Levels: DUPR rating generated by a minimum of 25 games required. If you don’t have a DUPR rating
or have less than 40 games logged in DUPR please use the USAPA link below for a Self-Rating. All self-
rated registrants will receive a peer review to ensure proper court and session placement.

USA Pickleball Definitions of Player Skill Ratings:     Skill Rating

If you are unable to attend a session, it is your responsibility to find a substitute within the same skill
level, unless there are people on the waitlist. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of registration
fees and the player will not be permitted to register for the next iteration of HCPA competitive events.
Failure to find a substitute places additional burdens on the volunteers who work very hard to
coordinate and run these sessions. Please be respectful.

Please note that due to the nature of these events which necessitates an exact number of players,
registration fees are NON-REFUNDABLE even if the session is canceled due to inclement weather. Due
to the court reservation limit, none of the sessions will be made up. NOTE: The original player may
request the fee from the substitute.

Registration is NOW OPEN and will be through Cheddar Up for all players and sessions.   REGISTER HERE

Please make sure to choose the correct session. If a session is full, please join the waitlist as those will
be the first substitutes if registered players drop.

The cost of the registration per session, except for the tournament prep session on 09/23/24, is $5 for
HCPA Members and $10 for all others. HCPA members can find a discount code on the Stack Team App
to use with Cheddar Up. HCPA membership is only $30 for an individual, $45 for a couple and $60 for a
family for the year. To sign up:   HCPA

Level 3.25 to 3.75 Equivalent to Intermediate/Advanced Coed

All Ages
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park
Start: Monday, 09/09/24
Play time: Monday, 7-9 pm
Cost: $5 for HCPA Members and $10 for all others

Level 2.75 to 3.25 & New to DUPR Coed

All Ages
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park

Start: Monday, 09/16/24
Play time: Monday 7-9 pm
Cost: $5 for HCPA Members $10 for all others

Level 3.75+ Tournament Prep for the APC Open *Sign up with Partner*

All Ages
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park
Start: Monday, 09/23/24
Play time: Monday 7-9 pm
Cost: $10/person for HCPA Members and $15 for all others

Open Level: Coed

50+ Only
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park
Start: Monday, 09/30/24
Play time: Monday 7-9 pm
Cost: $5 for HCPA Members and $10 for all others

Level 2.5 to 3.25 - Women Only

All Ages
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park

Start: Monday, 10/06/24
Play time: Monday 7-9 pm
Cost: $5 for HCPA Members and $10 for all others

Level 3.25 to 4.0 Women Only

All Ages
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park
Start: Monday, 10/13/24
Play time: Monday 7-9 pm
Cost: $5 for HCPA Members and $10 for all others

Open Level - Coed

Youth Only – High School Age (approx. 14-18)
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park
Start: Monday, 10/20/24
Play time: Monday 7-9 pm
Cost: $5 for HCPA Members and $10 for all others

Level 2.5 to 3.25 Coed

All Ages
**7-9p**
Location: Western Regional Park

Start: Monday, 10/27/24
Play time: Monday 7-9 pm
Cost: $5 for HCPA Members and $10 for all others

HCPA News Update – 8/27/24

Posted on by Earl Sneeringer

MD Open Tournament this coming weekend - Just a reminder that the MD Open Tournament will be held from Thursday, 8/29, to Sunday, 9/1, at the Dill Dinker's Finksburg facility.  This contributes a great deal to our organization and to our ability to give back to the community via a donation to Grassroots.  As such, we will be cancelling our open play sessions during this time so that our members can participate by either playing, volunteering or watching. This event has been so successful in the past due to to our terrific support from our member volunteers. Use the following link for further details.  

MD Open Details

 

HCPA News Update – 8/25/24

Posted on by Earl Sneeringer

Howard County Recreation and Parks Public Meeting

HCRP is holding a public meeting to discuss the future development of the newly acquired park off of Ilchester Road.
Andy Dalal will be speaking on behalf of our Association. He will be requesting more dedicated courts at this new park.
We would like members to come to this meeting. It will show HCRP that we need more dedicated courts in the county. Please bring your paddle and wear HCPA logo’ed clothing to show your support.
When and where: Monday, August 26 at 6pm at the Howard County Public Library System’s Elkridge Branch (6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075).
If you have questions please contact:

HCPA News Update 7/23/24

Posted on by Mary Pagan

HCPA Survey , Member input needed!!!

Survey Request - Howard County Pickleball Association is embarking on a planning process and deciding what's most important to you!! Member input is an essential part of this effort. We had informal discussions with many of you but we want a more comprehensive assessment of what members expect from HCPA. The link to the survey is the beginning of that assessment. Please complete it as soon as possible.

HCPA Member Survey

HCPA News Update 7/19/2024

Posted on by Mary Pagan

Maryland Open Labor Day Pickleball Tournament , Indoors!!

Our biggest tournament of the year is coming up fast on Labor Day weekend, Thursday, August 29 through Sunday, September 1 at Dill Dinkers in Columbia and Dill Dinkers in Finksburg!
We still need players and volunteers. We can't do this without the help of association members. If you sign up by 7/26 you will get a t-shirt for playing. Registration closes 8/15. 
Volunteers will need to pick their T-Shirt size by 8/1. Here are links to register for the event and to volunteer:

 

For more information contact Ken Billingsley , Gail  Kennedy or Kathy Buckley