The Dinklebergs

First Place

Pickleball - Thursdays (Fall '25)

The Thursday Beginner Pickleball League playoffs at Howe Park delivered two straight weeks of tight matches, big improvements, and the kind of chaotic fun that only beginner-league pickleball can bring.

In the quarterfinals, top-seeded #1 Now Serving made quick work of Happy Hour Dinks, taking the match 2–0 and looking every bit like a team prepared for a deep run. While that one wrapped cleanly, the other courts had their share of drama. #4 The Dinklebergs and #5 Mix Picklez delivered a competitive series that stretched to three games, but The Dinklebergs emerged with a 2–1 victory. Meanwhile, #2 Shiver Me Pickles showed off their consistency with a decisive 3–0 sweep over #7 The Pickle Party, and over on Court 4, one of the bracket’s first upsets took shape. #6 Dill With It pushed #3 Swiftie Servers into a tight three-game showdown and ultimately pulled out the 2–1 win, sending the underdogs into semifinal night.

When December 11 rolled around for week two, the semifinals brought an energy shift—higher stakes, louder sidelines, and more three-game scraps. The biggest shock came on Court 1 where #4 The Dinklebergs, who had already survived a quarterfinal grind, stunned the top seed. They took down #1 Now Serving by a 2–1 scoreline, sealing their finals ticket in a match full of momentum swings and long rallies. On Court 2, #2 Shiver Me Pickles faced the feisty Dill With It squad and had to fight off their upset momentum. After dropping a gritty second game, Shiver Me Pickles refocused and closed it out, winning 2–1 and punching their own ticket to the championship.

That left a finals showdown between #4 The Dinklebergs and #2 Shiver Me Pickles, and the energy in Howe Park felt more like a mid-season tournament than a beginner league. The Dinklebergs came in with confidence after taking down the top seed, and it showed. They came out swinging, took the first game, absorbed a strong counterpunch from Shiver Me Pickles in game two, and then answered with a composed, well-earned finish in game three. With a 2–1 victory, The Dinklebergs who were seeded fourth claimed the Thursday Beginner League Championship, capping off a run marked by resilience, clutch points, and back-to-back three game wins over the #1 and #2 seeds.

Two weeks, plenty of three-set battles, and a champion that truly earned their crown. A perfect beginner-league finish. Congrats to the Dinklebergs and all other teams for making this season a great one! We will see you on the courts soon!