Hello APPL Players,
As our season comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank all of you for making this year one to remember. It’s gratifying to know that pickleball courts across the state have been filled with the energy, competition, and camaraderie that is inherent to APPL’s team-based league pickleball.
Whether you were new to APPL or a returning player, your passion for the game has helped grow our community and make this season another record breaking success.
A special shoutout to our League Coordinators, Regional Directors and operational volunteers who oversaw the execution of over 44,000 games—your dedication behind the scenes helped make it all possible.
Don’t forget about the State Championships March 27-30 at Pueblo El Mirage near Peoria where 95+ teams will compete to be Arizona’s champs. Good luck to all teams participating! Please see more details in the article below.
Many have asked when they can see their updated APPL Index rating. While I can’t give an exact date yet, it will be no later than May 1. Stay tuned for a commissioner email notifying you when they are available.
Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we’ll announce the State Championship results and share plans for the future. Thanks again for being a part of APPL, the largest team-based pickleball league in the nation.
Greg Mather
The mark of a great sportsman is not how good they are at their best, but how good they are at their worst.
Martina Navatilova
State Championships
The upcoming 2025 APPL State Championships will be held at Pueblo El Mirage from March 27th through March 30th. Over 95 top regional champion teams from across Arizona will compete for the ultimate title of APPL State Champion. Pueblo El Mirage, located in the NW Phoenix Metro Valley, features 24 beautiful courts designed for an incredible spectator experience.
If your team is in contention for State competition, please pay particular attention to the schedule as some divisions/flights have quarterfinal competitions that will require an additional day. Captains of qualifying teams should have already received an email with details. If your team is not in contention, there is no admission or parking fee to attend, so feel free to bring your friends and a folding chair and cheer on your regional favorites.
ATTENTION SNOWBIRDS!
We need your help to grow our league next season. If you love playing pickleball during your time in the Southwest, why not invite your fellow players to join in on the fun? APPL is a fantastic way to stay active, make new friends, and enjoy competitive play, all while soaking up the (usually) warm winter weather.
Why Recruit More Players?
- Bigger teams, better competition – More players mean stronger divisions and exciting matchups.
- More fun & social connections – Pickleball is all about community, and APPL fosters friendships on and off the court.
- Flexible play options – Gender and mixed teams from 3.0 – 4.5 skills and age brackets of 50+ and 65+.
So, please talk to players at your local courts and let them know how much fun and camaraderie APPL brings to your winter season. Encourage your friends back home to plan their time spent here with us in mind.
Let’s make the 2026 APPL season the best yet by bringing in new players and growing the game we all love. If you or someone you know is interested in joining, tell them to visit the APPL website for more information and to register an APPL team in September.
APPL Supports Pickle4Purple
Congratulations to the Sunbird Pickleball Club raising over $22,000 in its 8th annual Pickle4Purple charity event for the Alzheimer’s Association. APPL was proud to be one of the sponsors of this very popular tournament led by Marianna and Dan Buescher. Many volunteers and pickleball players joined together again this year to make their fundraiser for research and caregiving such a success. Sunbird, we salute you for your service to the community!
Interview with Jeffrey Westling
First-Time Captain in the Southern Region
How did you learn about APPL?
About a year ago I was searching for leagues in Tucson or Arizona and the APPL website was one of the search links that resulted. I learned about an “interested player” gathering happening during a Spring weekend morning at Kino South. I attended and learned the pertinent, brief information about APPL, while having the chance to meet new people and play a few games.
Why did you become a team Captain?
I wanted to be on a team and play in the league, whether it meant I was a captain or not. It just so happened that it made the most sense for me to captain a team, otherwise there was a slim chance that a team was going to be made.
How did you field your team?
I had a great deal of help from my League Coordinator, Jan Garcia. Once she knew I was looking for players, she frequently sent me the contact information of interested individuals.
What type of things do you do as a Captain and how did you learn them?
My Captain knowledge has come from using the Captain resources page on the APPL website, which has been extremely helpful. As a Captain, I initiated a communication thread with my team through “WhatsApp” and we communicated weekly about availability to meet up and practice. I also coordinated everyone’s match day availability once the season schedule was released and set the lineups for the season. As we played, I observed partner chemistry and made adjustments for future matches in effort to have a healthy balance of enjoyment and likely positive results.
How does your team strategize prior to a (more critical) competition?
The usual feedback is highlighting weak spots to target at our competition, whether it be shot placement, movement patterns, or something else that would likely increase the percentage of winning a rally. Otherwise, we make an effort to not think about winning the game, more so to play well. Playing well will likely lead to a positive result, plus getting wrapped up in wanting to win a game can lead to a dark hole if we start playing poorly. We have better odds of playing well if we simplify the goal, and the goal is to play as we train, trust the process, and learn from whatever result occurs.
How do you foster a positive team spirit?
The culture of our team is to be competitive and have a good time doing it. At the end of the day, we’re just a group of guys who enjoy playing pickleball. Winning or losing isn’t life changing at this level of play, and I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to play with guys who have a similar mindset about the game as I do.
What advice do you have for someone considering being a Captain?
Speaking from my experience, I have enjoyed the process of learning how to captain a team and follow through with the responsibilities. It was a time commitment, but it was worth it! I was able to meet some great guys and the team has had a natural camaraderie.
The score of any athletic event is generally forgotten over time, but the actions of the players, coaches and spectators are remembered. Think of how history will remember you. Anon
Be Big on your Serve!
By NPL Senior Pro Brian Martin
For many of us, myself included, the person who taught us how to play pickleball told us that the most important part of our serve was to just “get it in”! At one point in time, that was good advice. However, the game is changing and the pickleball of today is much different than the pickleball of yesterday. A cautious, defensive serve is not enough to be successful. If you just softly loft your serve into the center of the receiver’s box, a good player is going to drive that ball back to your baseline and make you hit your third shot from your feet. In this scenario, it will be very hard for you to get to the kitchen and you’re going to lose more points than you win.
On the other hand, an offensive serve hit deep into the receiver’s box puts instant pressure on your opponents and makes their return more difficult. If they cannot hit their return deep and they allow you to hit your third shot from the middle of the transition area, you will have options: drive the ball through the middle; roll the ball at the returner’s feet; make a nice easy drop. These options should allow you and your partner to reach the kitchen line and battle from a neutral position.
So how can I create an offensive serve? The first key is to focus on hitting it deep! Keep your opponents back at the baseline by making sure your serve lands in the last 3-4 feet of that returner’s box. Once you can do this consistently, start to purposefully place your serve into different corners of the returner’s box. Put it in the outside corner to force your opponent off the court, or put it in the corner that leads to the player’s backhand, as most players are not as proficient hitting a deep return with their backhand. Remember, the goal is not to “ACE” your serve, it’s simply to create a short return that allows you to take control of the point with an easier third shot. If you’re a beginner or struggle with your serve, you may need time to consistently land your serve in the returner’s box. Continue building that skill and then add hitting it deep, as it will definitely make the next shot easier for you.
It’s also okay if you hit a serve out every once in a while. The times you force a shallow return and win the point will more than make up for the few that you hit out trying to be more aggressive. As you continue to practice, be a little more offensive with your serve and notice how much easier your thirds become and how many more points you will win!
CLICK HERE if you are interested in more tips from National Pickleball League Senior Pro Brian Martin by scheduling an APPL Team Training today!
