Wheeler Mission Pickleball Tournament

Join us for an exhilarating day of teams pickleball, where players come together for a worthy cause! This tournament isn't just about the competition; it's about making a positive impact. Proceeds from the event will benefit Wheeler Mission, helping provide essential services to those experiencing homelessness in our community. Grab a partner, rally for a cause, and let's serve up some support for those in need!

We are currently looking for event sponsors!

Download our sponsorship form below to join the cause, or email us at Sponsorship@WheelerMission.org

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are a wonderful way to go beyond the game and make a difference, making a tremendous impact on the lives of people experiencing homelessness in our community. Grants made to Wheeler Mission through DAFs will be used “where most needed” to help provide nourishing meals, safe shelter, and other essential care to our guests in need.

When making your gift, please indicate Pickleball Tournament and your name (or the name of the participant being supported) in the designation. You may also need to include Wheeler Mission’s Federal Tax I.D. Number: 35-0888771.

For more information, please contact Jeff Boxell, Wheeler Mission's Senior Director of Donor Relations, at 317.635.3575 or JeffBoxell@wheelermission.org. 

THANK YOU for your generous gift during this exceptional time to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness!

DATE: August 16, 2025

LOCATION: Picklr Noblesville - 9847 Cumberland Pointe Blvd, Noblesville, IN 46060

PARKING: There is plenty of parking all around the building.

TIME:

• DUPR 16 and DUPR 18 teams - Play begins at 8am. Check-in begins at 7:00am and courts are open for warm up at 7:15am. Play should conclude around 1:00-1:30pm.
• DUPR 12 and DUPR 14 teams - Play begins at 1:30pm. Courts should be open for warm up by 12:45pm. Play should conclude around 6:00-6:30pm

FORMAT: 

• Each DUPR level has 8 teams - we will play a full round robin in 2 pools of 4 teams.
• Once round robin play has concluded, the top TWO teams from each pool will play a Semi-Final match (Seed #1 vs. Seed #4 and Seed #2 vs. Seed #3) and then a Final Match (Semi Final winners (1st and 2nd place) and then Semi Final losers (3rd and 4th place).  Teams finishing in the bottom of the pool play are encouraged to play more - we can assist with that if you choose to have Seed #5 vs. Seed #8 and Seed #6 vs. Seed #7, otherwise the courts are available for play until 12:45pm.
• Medals will be awarded to the top 3 teams.
• Seeding for the bracket will be determined by Wins/Losses, Head-to-Head (if in the same pool), then Point Differential. (It IS possible for two teams to play against another team from their pool in the Semi-Final match, depending on the number of wins/point differential. Example: If the Pool A top 2 teams are 2-1 and 1-2 with a point differential of 19 and 15, and Pool B top 2 teams are 2-1 and 2-1 with a point differential of 18 and 12, the two teams from Pool A would meet again in the Semi-Final round based on wins/losses.)  
• Games will be played with Rally Scoring to 21 points, with a scoring cap at 25. (Servers do not switch sides with partners, but the ball is served by the partner in either the even or the odd court. See rules and ask for more help.)
• There is a Scoring Freeze on the game point, which means the team that is about to win MUST be the serving team. The ONLY EXCEPTION to that is when teams are tied at 24-24.  At that point, it will be a SUDDEN DEATH point, the winner being the team who scores that point no matter who served.
• In the event of a tie for your match, teams will compete in a Tie-Breaker (Dreambreaker format).  Please ask for scoring assistance from your Podcaptain or the Tournament Director.  They will NOT serve as a referee, but can help in keeping the correct score, which we have found to be very helpful in the past.  
• As a reminder - to start the match:  Teams will flip a coin to determine the following FOR THE WHOLE MATCH: The winner will make a choice between these three options:

1. Choose to be either the Home or the Away team (If a team chooses Home, the other team is automatically declared the AWAY team)

• The AWAY team will show the mixed doubles lineup to the HOME team.
• The HOME team must declare first during the singles tie-breaker game.

2. Choose to start each game Serving or Receiving (If a team chooses to Serve, the other team is automatically declared the Receiving team

3. Choose which end of the court to start FOR ALL MATCHES (including the Tiebreaker if necessary)

After the winner makes a choice, the loser will make a choice between the two remaining options. After the loser makes their choice, the winner will make a decision on the last option available.

Example: Team A wins the coin toss. Team A chooses to be the HOME team. Team B chooses to start each game receiving. Team A chooses an end of the court to start.

RULES: The rules for this tournament are based on the Minor League Pickleball Rules (MiLP) and can be found by clicking here. As with any tournament, final rule interpretation is set by the Tournament Director. For those who are new to Team Tournaments, we will gladly help you understand the format and rules prior to play, along with some potential strategy tips. PLEASE ask for help if you would like it. 

SUBSTITUTIONS: In the event that a player must be replaced prior to the beginning of the tournament, please contact Lisa Farley at lisaannfarley@yahoo.com as early as possible.

DUPR Details for Replacement:

1. No player can exceed the top DUPR score for the level 

• DUPR 12 - 3.600
• DUPR 14 - 4.100
• DUPR 16 - 4.600
• DUPR 18 - 5.100

2. Your team cannot exceed the top DUPR score with the new player's DUPR score

• DUPR 12 - 12.300
• DUPR 14 - 14.300
• DUPR 16 - 16.300
• DUPR 18 - 18.300

3. Teams will retain their "locked in" score even with the new player, as adjustments can take place up until the start and would impact pool seedings. 

4. Players dropping from the team will be dropped by the administration, but the new player must register on https://www.wheelerpickleball.org/ once the first player is dropped. 

5. In the unlikely event of a player needing to drop from the tournament AFTER play has begun, please see the Tournament Director as quickly as possible - if a DUPR suitable replacement is available within 15 minutes, the player may be substituted.

Questions? Please reach out to Lisa Farley at lisaannfarley@yahoo.com

Teams: Teams consist of 2 males and 2 females.

Format - Using Minor League Pickleball (MiPL) rules:
Combined DUPR scores will be locked in on the day of registration for each player. No group can exceed the combined max aggregate DUPR score.
1. Combined DUPR score up to 12 (max aggregate 12.300)- *Maximum individual player DUPR cannot exceed 3.60 to play in DUPR 12
2. Combined DUPR score 14 (max aggregate 14.300)- *Maximum individual player DUPR cannot exceed 4.10 to play in DUPR 14
3. Combined DUPR score 16 (max aggregate 16.300) - *Maximum individual player DUPR cannot exceed 4.60 to play in DUPR 16
4. Combined DUPR score up to 18.000 (max aggregate 18.300) - *Maximum individual player DUPR cannot exceed 5.10 to play in DUPR 18
 
8 team event: There will be 2 pools of 4 teams (3 matches), followed by top 2 teams in each pool entering a medal semi-final and final (2 matches) to determine top 4 finishers. Medals awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Seeding order for playoffs: #1 Matches Won, #2 Head to Head (if only 2 teams tied and they played against each other), #3 Point Differential.
 
MiLP rally scoring will be used, and a Dreambreaker will occur in the event of a 2-2 tie. Games will be to 21, win by 2. Scoring freeze for any team on the game point, so the winning team must serve to score the winning point, while the opponents are still rally scoring. The cap on scoring is 25. At 24-24, there will be a sudden death (doesn't matter who serves) and the next point will win 25-24. One timeout per team per game, and on the end change. Change ends at 11. Teammates can change positions during end changes and time outs. Same rules apply to Dreambreakers, where each player plays 4 rally points then the next player rotates in.
 
Full rules and teams/pools will be emailed after the close of registration.
 
BALL – We will use Selkirk balls.

Amenities:
Surface type: Pickleball Hardcourt Surface
Number of courts: 19
Play area type: Indoor Air Conditioned
Net type: Permanent & Portable
Ball used: Selkirk Pro S1

Other:
Please take only water in a closed container, paddle, and towel on the courts. There are gender locker rooms available to all participants. 

How to Register:
1. The first person on a team to register creates the team when registering (you'll need a team name and the DUPR level for the team - see above for level rules). (Choose "Create A New Team" when prompted.) NOTE: Setting a password is optional. If you forget your password, it cannot be recovered. 

2. The person who creates the team should let the other team members know that it is created, the team DUPR level (12, 14, 16, or 18), the name of the team, and password if one was set. 
3. The other 3 team members will register at the team DUPR level and when prompted, join the team. (Search for the team by name or look in the dropdown box.)

Free Agents: Individuals without a team can register under the "Individual Looking for a Team" option, and we will do our best to place you on a team. While placement is not guaranteed, we will match players whenever possible. If a spot becomes available, you will be notified before the tournament and must complete registration for the assigned team.

Teams in need of players can email lisaannfarley@yahoo.com, and we will check for available individuals who may be a good fit. No guarantees.

Waiting List: Each DUPR level is limited to 8 team spots. Once all spots are filled, 1 person from a team may join the waiting list. Openings will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis as they become available. Teams on the waiting list will be notified accordingly.

Refund Policy: Refund requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Withdrawals before August 9, 2025 can receive a full refund minus any fees and donations. To request a refund, participants must submit a written request via email, explaining their circumstances. Refunds may be granted due to medical emergencies, unforeseen conflicts, or other valid reasons, at the tournament director’s discretion. Processing fees may apply, and full refunds are not guaranteed. No refunds will be issued after August 9, 2025, BUT if we can find another team to take your place after the registration deadline, we will refund your registration fee. Players can be substituted after the close of registration only by emailing lisaannfarley@yahoo.com and confirming DUPR levels. Processing Fees are not refundable. All decisions are final.

How will the brackets be broken up?
We will have 2 age-based divisions. One for under 50 and one for 50+. Each of these will then be broken up into 4 different skill ratings (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+)

Is this a singles or doubles event?
Mixed Doubles. Each team will consist of one male and one female player.

What if I don't have a partner that is the opposite gender and in my age range?
There is an option during registration to select that you need a partner and hopefully we will have a player register with the correct criteria that you can team up with.

How will the tournament be run?
There will be pool play based on your age and pickleball ranking and then a tournament-style play based on the pool play games.

What is the cost per person to participate?
$55.

Where is the event located?
The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse
645 Fieldhouse Way
Lebanon, IN 46052 US

What is the time of the event?
8am – 6pm

Will there be food and drinks available?
Yes, we will have water and snacks available for participants.
There is also a concession stand on site where more substantial items can be purchased

Is fundraising required?
Everyone will automatically be given a personal fundraising page, but no, fundraising is not required.

What is my money going toward?
All proceeds will go to Wheeler Mission. Wheeler is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and need in Central and South Central Indiana without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or religion. Click here to learn more about Wheeler Mission.

Pickleball is more than a game—it’s a community. And just like on the court, when we come together, we make a greater impact. At Wheeler Mission, we see lives transformed every day because people like you step up, go beyond the game, and make a difference.

Your generosity fuels everything we do. By asking others to support Wheeler Mission through this event, you help provide:

✅ Hot meals for someone who hasn’t eaten in days
✅ A safe bed for a mother and her child
✅ Resources and recovery programs that offer lasting change

100% of all donations goes directly to Wheeler Mission providing immediate relief and lasting hope to those in desperate need.

Go beyond the game. Serve more. Give more. Change lives. Click the button below to start your personal fundraising page today!

Welcome to the Pickleball tournament volunteer page! I’m so glad you are here!

This is our 2nd annual pickleball tournament where players come together for a worthy cause! This tournament isn't just about the competition; it's about making a positive impact. 100% of the proceeds from the event will benefit Wheeler Mission, helping provide essential services to those experiencing homelessness in our community. 

By volunteering, YOU play a vital role in making the event a success. From checking participants in or assisting the tournament director, every role helps bring hope to those in need.

We have a variety of volunteer opportunities and shifts available, including Check-in, Score Assistants, and Pod Captains. Click the button below to find the perfect fit for you!

I’m incredibly grateful for each of our volunteers—we couldn’t do this without you! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me at sarahensminger@wheelermission.org.

With gratitude,

Sarah Ensminger
Special Events Assistant - Volunteers