Pickleball is one of the main attractions of the ever-popular Capital City Senior Games, which return March 1-14.
Sponsored by the City of Tallahassee, these games play a crucial role in promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among the senior population of Tallahassee and beyond. With over 500 athletes from 10 states participating in 15 different sports last year, the event has become a notable gathering for sports enthusiasts aged 50 and older.
Singles, Doubles, And Mixed Doubles
The pickleball competition starts with the singles category on Tuesday March 5th. The event continues the following day with the doubles category and finishes on Thursday with the mixed doubles.
Matches start each day at 9 a.m. and will be played at Four Oaks Park, 5151 Four Oaks Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32311.
Contact Lenin Mongerie at 850-891-4979 for further information.
The last day to register online for the pickleball competition is March 1. You will need a create an account to carry out your registration.
The initial registration fee for the first event is $15. Additional events incur a $3 fee each, and some events may have venue-specific fees (refer to the registration form). For detailed information on competition schedules, visit talgov.com/seniorgames.
Entry Requirements
1. The age division for Doubles and Mixed Doubles competitions will be determined by the younger age of the two partners as of December 31, 2024.
2. Athletes are limited to one partner per event.
3. Participants are required to bring their own paddles; however, balls will be provided.
Format
1. The planned format is double elimination, with the Event Director having the authority to adjust it based on the number of tournament entries.
2. Matches in the winner’s bracket will be decided by the best two out of three games. Games are played to 11 points but must continue until one player or team achieves a two-point margin.
3. Matches in the loser’s bracket will consist of one game to 15 points but must continue until one player or team establishes a two-point margin.
4. There will be no seeding for teams and players. Brackets will be determined through a random draw.
5. If an event (age class) has fewer than two entries (teams or individuals), it may be combined with another division or canceled at the discretion of the Event Director.
Rules
All matches will adhere to the rules set forth by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA)/International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), available online at usapa.org.
The top five participants in each age group at the Florida Senior Games Series Qualifier will qualify for subsequent events. It’s important to note that the qualification applies exclusively to Florida residents. Those who qualify in one event gain eligibility for all Pickleball events.
Capital City Senior Games
The games cater to various fitness levels, featuring a diverse range of competitions such as archery, bag toss, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, powerlifting, racquetball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and track and field.
In the previous year’s games, athletes engaged in 1,163 events across 12 venues, including parks, community centers, and a golf course. Of particular note was the participation of athletes aged 90 and above, alongside the youngest registrant who had just turned 50.
Similar to the Olympics, the Capital City Senior Games commence with a torch run at Cascades Park on Wednesday, March 1, at 6 p.m. The games conclude with the Celebration of Athletes on Tuesday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 North Monroe St.
