How the League Works & What to Expect

Whether your brand new to our league or just need a refresher, this page will walk you through how to use PickleballDen, what to expect on game night, how scoring works, and how the ladder format is structured.

Location: All league matches take place at Northeast Park: 📍 801 North Washington St, Park Ridge, IL 60068

🎥 Watch These First: How to Use PickleballDen

To get started, head to the PickleballDen YouTube Channel: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@PickleballDen

📌 Scroll down to the section titled “Club Player”
🎬 Watch all the videos in that section—they’ll teach you:

  • How to check in

  • Message friends

  • Installing the app on your phone

    🧠 These videos will save you a ton of confusion once the league begins!

⏰ What to Expect Week 1

Show up by 5:50 PM.
There is no early check-in or signup in the app. Check-in happens at the courts when you arrive.

Games begin at 6:00 PM sharp.
If you’re not checked in and ready, the app will automatically remove you from that night’s games.

Can’t make it?
Use the chat feature inside PickleballDen under your league group to let us know you’re out.

Running late?
Call or text your group’s admin, who will share their phone number with you before Week 1. It’s up to them if they choose to wait for you.

🧱 How the Ladder League Works

Never played a ladder league? Here's the breakdown:

  • You’ll play with 5 people per court

  • Each night you’ll play 4 games, rotating partners and opponents

  • Your individual score for the night determines your movement.

  • Within your group will be 5 steps and to win the league you need to reach the top step

Movement After Each Week:

  • Top 2 players ➡️ move up a court (step)

  • Bottom 2 players ➡️ move down a court (step)

  • Middle player ➡️ stays put

  • ⛔ You can only move one court up or down per week. This keeps matchups balanced and games fun.

  • Pickleball den has a calculation to determine how you go up and down. Click here to read specifics

📊 Scoring & Attendance

We are fully digital this year—no paper scoresheets.

  • Scores will be entered into the PickleballDen app only. (See YouTube videos on how to setup on your phone.)

  • If someone doesn’t show up, the app will automatically adjust the scores for that court. Last year we had to rewrite scoresheets, no more - the system will do it automatically

Missing a week?
We're still learning the app’s behavior. We’re not sure yet whether missing a week affects your ladder placement—but we’ll figure it out as we go!

💬 Stay in the Loop

Each group will have a designated admin

  • They’ll help with check-in, scheduling, and rule questions

  • Their contact info will be provided before league play begins

  • Use the chat section in PickleballDen to ask questions, let us know you’ll miss a week, or just say hi!

  • Important: Please add noreply@pickle4.com to your safe sender list! This is how official messages from PickleballDen will be sent. Double-check that it’s not going to your spam folder.