Pickleball Tournament at the 2013 National Senior Games
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1) What are the exact dates for pickleball in the NSGA tournament in Cleveland, Ohio?
Pickleball dates are Sat., July 27-Thur., Aug. 1. Open practice will be available at the venue on Sat, July 27. Competition begins with Women's Doubles on Sunday, July 28 followed my Men's Doubles on Monday, July 29. Mixed Doubles will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30 and 31. Competitiion will close with all Singles on Thursday, August 1.
Registration is now open. EARLY registration must be completed online or post marked by Thursday, January 31, 2013, midnight eastern time. You save $25 by registering online. REGULAR registration begins February 1, 2013 and must be completed online or post marked by Wednesday, May 1, 2013, midnight, eastern time.
There are still a number of states that have not sent their qualifiers to NSGA. However, states are being added almost on a daily basis. If you state is not listed, (on NSGA website), contact your state organization to confirm you qualifying status.
2) What is the name of the venue that will be used?
The venue is inside the new Cleveland Convention Center, which is located downtown across the street from the Cleveland Brown's Stadium.
3) What ball will be used in the tournament?
The official tournament ball is the lime green Jugs ball.
4) I am having trouble understanding what to do with my ACCOUNT # and a new PASSWORD # that NSGA sent me. What should I do?
NSGA went to a new software program beginning the day registration opened. You should use whatever they gave you most recently. In my case, I still use my old ACCOUNT #, but am to use the new PASSWORD #. IF THAT FAILS, CONTACT NSGA (reports have been good about getting this fixed with players) (www.nsga.com).
5) How does one qualify for the NSGA tournament?
You must medal in a qualifying tournament. Each state is allowed one 'qualifying' state tournament, commonly called the state Senior Games or state Senior Olympics.
6) When does qualifying end for the 2013 Cleveland tournament?
Qualifying for the 2013 tournament in Cleveland ends on December 31, 2012.
7) Is the state I live in the only one I can qualify in?
No. You can qualify in any state that allows out of state participants in their state tournament. There are a few states which are not open to out of staters. You should check about this by communicating with a different state from yours. You can 'google' ___ state senior olympics or ___ state games for more information.
8) If I only qualify in doubles, am I allowed to participate in mixed?
All participants MUST qualify in the SPORT (pickleball). Since you qualified in doubles, you may participate in mixed IF your mixed partner qualified in mixed. The basic rule is this: In doubles or mixed, one of the partners MUST have qualified in that EVENT, while the other partner just has to qualify in the SPORT.
9) Am I required to participate with the partner I qualified with?
No. If you and your partner qualified in mixed, you are both qualified in mixed, and can then register with someone else as your new mixed partner as long as those new partners qualified in the sport (pickleball singles or doubles). (see #5)
10) Do I have to participate in the same age group that I qualified in?
No. In doubles or mixed, you will play in the age group that includes the youngest partners age. EX... If I am 63 and partner with someone who is 52, we would play in the 50+ age group. In singles, you will play in the age group of your age as of 31Dec 13.
11) My partner in mixed got sick or injured the day before the state qualifying tournament and was unable to play. I qualified in doubles. Is it possible for us to qualify in mixed?
Yes. If your mixed partner missed your state tournament, that person can still qualify in mixed in a different state tournament. If he/she medals, then you both would qualify for mixed. Your partner qualified in mixed (EVENT), while you qualified in doubles (SPORT). (see #5)
12) May I put "needs partner" on my registrations form?
No. The NSGA will not assign partners for this tournament. However, there is a 'partner search' on the NSGA website (www.nsga.com) homepage (left side), click on 'Team/Parnter Finder'.You can view postings for all sports, including pb, and then reply to the person who posted the listing. You can also add a listing by clicking at the top of the list "Post New Forum Topic". Keep i mind that this list is for NSGA activities left for 2012 and the 2013 Nationals in Cleveland. So be sure you reply to, or list, for the 2013 National tournament.
13) Regarding the EVENT and SPORT rule... if I qualify in doubles and/or mixed, may I play singles?
No. You must qualify in singles to participate in singles.
14) I am 59 and qualified in the 55-59 age group of singles and doubles. I will be 60 in 2013 for the National tournament in Cleveland. What age group will I be playing in?
In singles, you will be playing in the 60-64 age group because that will be your age on 31Dec13. In doubles, you will be playing in the lowest age group reprresented by you or your partner as regarding your ages as of 31Dec13. If your partner will still be in the 55-59 age group (or lower), that is the age group you will play in doubles. If your partner is 60+, (or higher), you will be in the 60-64 age group in doubles.
15) I notice that in some sports at NSGA Nationals, like tennis and swimming, there are limits to the number of events a person may play in. What is the rule for pickleball.
The possible number is three (singles, doubles, & mixed). You must qualify in singles. You CAN qualify in doubles and/or mixed. If you qualify in all three, your partner in doubles and/or mixed MUST have qualified in any pb event (singles, doubles, OR mixed). (see #5)
