Several requests have been made for more details on how, if approved, APPL (Arizona Pickleball Players League) would use our courts. In response, we’ve put together the following information. If you still have questions after reading this, please contact your Pickleball Board of Directors through the club website or Court Reserve.
What is APPL?
APPL is a team-based pickleball league where players compete on the sameteam throughout the season. APPL’s one-of-a-kind team-style structure is making Arizona pickleball more accessible and more exciting than ever before. The season runs from the first week of January through the last week of March, with playoffs typically held in April at Pueblo El Mirage (PEM).
How Would APPL Use Our Courts?
If approved, Grand teams will be assigned as “home” teams on our courts for the season. Each weekly match requires 3 courts. If we allocate 6 courts to APPL, that would accommodate 2–4 home teams from Grand. Each team plays half of its matches at home and half away at the opponent’s venue. APPL will only use our courts when a Grand team is playing at home. A Grand home team will be composed of only Grand residents.
Match Format:
Each week, a team fields 6 players, forming 3 doubles teams. Each doubles teamplays all 3 opposing teams twice, for a total of 6 games per doubles team. Games are played to 11, win by 2. A full match typically takes about 2 hours. Teamsusually consist of 6 to 15 players, and the cost to participate for the season is $30. (Email #2 provided a breakdown of the available brackets.)
Court Usage & Scheduling:
If the vote passes, the Pickleball BOD will assign 6 courts for APPL play on Saturdays at 6:00 PM.
Some members have asked how this might affect court availability. The answer is: very little. During January through March of this past season, court usage at 6:00 PM on Saturdays averaged only 11%. Even with 6 courts allocated to APPL, there will still be 16 courts available for general reservations during that time slot.
The PB BOD will not be scheduling any courts for APPL team practices.
What Makes APPL Different?
The biggest difference between Drop-in play and APPL is the team environment. APPL fosters camaraderie as teammatesplay together and cheer each other on. It’s also a great way to meet players from neighboring communities and build lasting friendships.
We hope this helps new members and those unfamiliar with APPL better understand the benefits and excitement of teampickleball. If you’re curious or considering joining, you can find more information here:
Scroll down to APPL Essential Documents then click the APPL League Rules tab.
Please be sure to cast your vote when the voting email arrives.