Meet the Passionate Organizer Behind The Dink Minor League Pickleball

With pickleball's rising popularity there's a growing demand for local tournaments catering to amateurs.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball (formerly known as Minor League Pickleball) gives players an exciting way to compete, emphasizing teamwork, strategy, and camaraderie. 

Following Major League Pickleball’s innovative format involving teams of four players (two women and two men), teams compete against other teams in four events: women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and two mixed doubles matches. A singles-based tiebreaker format, called a dreambreaker, is used when teams are tied 2-2. 

The Dink Minor League Pickleball’s National Pathway allows teams to compete locally to pursue a spot at the national championship. A national leaderboard is utilized to display ranked players, allowing you to easily view their standings.

Its first official season was in 2023, and its director, Caroline Luelf (pictured above), is tasked with growing the organization.

Luelf's journey with the league began as a participant, along with her husband, in a one-day event in Kansas City. The convenience of these short events appealed to the couple, balancing their passion for pickleball with family commitments. 

As Luelf says, "When you have four kids, planning the logistics, getting all the kids to where they need to be and us being gone three or four days for a tournament, that's not easy."

After participating in several Minor League Pickleball events and experiencing firsthand the thrill of competition and community, Luelf was inspired to bring the experience to her hometown in Oklahoma. Her first event sold out and received rave reviews. Luelf shares, "This one team posted on Facebook that it was their favorite tournament ever. They didn't even win a match!"

People were hungry for more events, and Luelf decided to reach out directly to the league saying, "I love everything about Minor League Pickleball, and I have all these ideas on how to grow it." A few weeks later, they offered her a job.

What sets the league apart is its emphasis on the team concept. Unlike traditional tournaments, where players compete individually, The Dink Minor League Pickleball encourages collaboration and support among teammates. With rally scoring and opportunities for coaching between points, players are fully engaged both on and off the court, creating an electrifying atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. 

"The Dink Minor League Pickleball is for everyone," Luelf notes. It’s for any player — from amateurs to non-contracted pros, regardless of age. Events have seen players as young as 12 and as old as 70. The family-friendly nature is obvious, with Caroline herself cherishing the opportunity to play alongside her husband and 18-year-old son and create lasting memories on the court.

Looking ahead, The Dink Minor League's goal is "to be in all 50 states" (they are currently in 29 states) and "continue to expand globally," according to Luelf. With events planned across the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and beyond, it’s poised to become the premier destination for amateur pickleball enthusiasts worldwide.

Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, The Dink Minor League Pickleball welcomes you to find a team, join the fun, forge new friendships, and experience the thrill of pickleball like never before. 

Editor's Note: The feature was originally written by Alana Jackler for DUPR