match scheduling and substitutions
MLP tournaments involve multiple teams competing in a round-robin format, followed by playoffs for the top-ranked teams. Teams earn standings points based on their match wins.
Proposed Seven-Week Schedule for Seven Teams (Round Robin):
To have each of the seven teams play every other team once over seven weeks, we structured a round-robin schedule. Assume one match per week for each team, scheduled every week. Each week, one team will have a bye.
How it Works: Each team plays one match per week for seven weeks, facing a different opponent each week. By the end of Week 7, every team will have played all six other teams. Week 8 provides flexibility for any necessary adjustments and the playoff final showdown.
Player Substitutions: If a team captain needs to utilize a sub, he/she may pick one from the sub bench. Teams may only use a specific sub player one time during the season. Therefore, if we have sub players A, B, and C, then a team can only sub in player A one-time during the season. But the team can later use sub B and/or sub C. This will allow all teams to utilize the same subs, but not keep playing the best subs.
This structure ensures a balanced and competitive tournament where every team has the opportunity to compete against all others, mirroring the exciting team dynamics of MLP.
Upon conclusion of the weekly match, the winning Team Captain will report the score to the Commissioner via the GroupMe app by posting the scoresheet.
Match Format
Municipal League Pickleball (MLP) tournaments feature a unique team-based format that differs from traditional individual or doubles pickleball competitions. Here's a breakdown of the concept and structure:
Definitions:
Match - entire competition between two opposing teams. A match consists of four lines and potentially a DreamBreaker. To win a match, a team must win 3 out of 4 lines.
Line - within the match the four lines are Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. To win a line, a team must win 2 out of 3 games.
Game - played to 11 win by two.
DreamBreaker - only played if teams win two lines each. Played to 21 with rally scoring, singles, 3 consecutive serves per player, and win by 2 while serving.
Concept:
The core of MLP is to create a dynamic and engaging team environment within pickleball. Instead of individual players competing, teams of six players (with a minimum of two women and two men) compete against each other in a series of matches. This format emphasizes team strategy, collaboration, and the excitement of both singles and doubles play within a team matchup.
Structure of a Team Match:
A standard MLP team match consists of the following four lines:
Line 1. Women's Doubles: Two female players from each team compete against each other.
Line 2. Men's Doubles: Two male players from each team compete against each other.
Line 3. Mixed Doubles: One male and one female player from each team form a partnership and play against the opposing team's mixed doubles pair.
Line 4. Mixed Doubles: The remaining male and female players from each team form a
different mixed doubles partnership and compete.
Scoring:
• Games are played to 11 points (win by two, traditional side-out scoring). A team will win a line by winning two out of three games.
Overall Match Scoring: A total of three standings points are awarded for each regular season match.
• 3 Points: Awarded for a regulation win (3-1 or 4-0; no DreamBreaker needed).
• 2 Points: Awarded for a DreamBreaker win (3-2).
• 1 Point: Awarded for a DreamBreaker loss (2-3).
• 0 Points: Awarded for a regulation loss (1-3 or 0-4; no DreamBreaker needed).
The DreamBreaker (Tiebreaker):
If the team match is tied 2-2 after the four lines, an exciting tiebreaker called the
"DreamBreaker" is played.
Here's how it works: If both teams are tied at 2-2 after the 4 lines played, they’ll go to a DreamBreaker! In a DreamBreaker one person from each team plays singles against each other, switching every three points until a team gets to 21 and wins by two points. To level up the stakes, the away team has to present its singles line-up first then the home team gets the chance to counter that with their own configuration of their lineup to match and counter each player’s skills!
1. Scoring: A point is scored on every rally, regardless of which team served the ball.
2. Player Rotation: Each team previously declared a rotation order of ALL participating players. ALL players must play in the DreamBreaker. After every three points, the players rotate according to the predetermined order.
3. Freeze: The "freeze" rule applies at game point (20-point mark). A team must win the final
point while serving.
For full rules, please see the downloadable Columbus MLP Rules Guide below.
PLAYOFF RULES AND FORMAT
Date/Time/Location: TBD after completion of regular season makeup matches.
Eligibility and Team Requirements: The four teams with the highest final standings from the regular season will qualify for the championship playoffs. Qualifying team captains will coordinate with the league commissioner for the date and time to ensure maximum player participation. The away team captain will submit his/her team's lineup to the home team captain 24 hours before the playoff start time.
Team Roster Requirement: Each team must have a minimum of four players (2 males and 2 females) rostered and present for all playoff matches. No player may play more than two lines. All six players must be rostered for the DreamBreaker. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a forfeit.
4 Team Playoff
- Top 4 teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs based on standings.
Semifinals
- 1st seed vs 4th seed.
- 2nd seed vs 3rd seed.
Final Matches
- Semifinal winners move on to compete for Gold & Silver, while the remaining two teams play for bronze.
Match Format: All playoff matches will adhere strictly to the same format and rules for regular season matches, including the number of lines, games, and scoring.
Fall league REGISTRATION
Registration open August 1-29, 2026.
The Fall season will run September thru November 2026 with matches played each week evenings at Phenix City Courts, Cooper Creek Park, and other locations within Columbus.
League registration cost:
Full Registration: $60
Military/veteran/teacher/first responder: $50
Youth coach volunteer: $40
League committee member: $40
Registration fee covers pickleballs, trophies & plaques, end-of-season social, raffle prizes, insurance, LLC & website fees, tax prep, printing & miscellaneous supplies.
T-shirts will be available for individual purchase soon.
Please make payment through Venmo or Zelle through the QR codes below.
Dink the paddle to register for the league!
PAYMENT
To use Venmo, open the app and tap "Pay/Request". Input "@colgamlp". Enter the amount, add a note, select your payment source (like a linked bank account or debit card), and tap "Pay".
To send a Zelle payment, open your bank's mobile app, locate and select the Zelle feature, then input "colgamlp". Next, enter the amount, add an optional note, and review the transaction details before confirming and sending.