Experience the Thrill of Detroit Pickleball League

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1. Does every team member have to play an equal amount each week?

Each player must play a minimum of 4 games. 

2. How many games can a player participate in each week (minimum)?

Each team MUST have a minimum of five players each night to compete in the match-up. Two players of each gender are required to participate in the necessary games. Not having the required amount of necessary players will result in an automatic forfeit of that specific game impacted. Hence, not having two women will result in an automatic forfeit of the women’s doubles game although a team with one woman that night can compete in all three mixed doubles events that night with different male playing partners. No player on a team roster is allowed to play more than six games in one night regardless of reason (and only occurs with four players participating that night). All players must participate in a minimum of four games regardless of the reason (unless injury, illness, or an unexpected emergency occurs) 

3. Do we have to get a male sub if one of the males won't be playing? 

Yes. A minimum of 5 players are required each night to compete. 3 men and 2 women.

*Only severe circumstances will dictate 4 players (upon owners agreement before the match begins)*

4. How do I find a sub?

Owners should reference the approved sub list that is updated and emailed to each owner. Please notify Keith Verellen and the opposing team of the secured sub name.

5. What do we do if our team has a sub OR can't find a sub?

Owners secure subs from a DPL Sub List for their respective team members when necessary.

6. What happens in the event the amount of total games won results in a tie? 

Tie Break System: 

1. Total Games Won

2. Head to Head 

a. if two teams tied, head to head winner is awarded tiebreaker.

b. If three or more teams tied,

i. Head to head if they all played each other. If it’s tied after this, skip to #2

ii. If not everyone played each other, skip to #3

3. Total Match Record (in 5 weeks)

4. Team “Dreambreaker” Record

5. Coin Toss

7. If a team doesn't make it into the playoffs, are they done playing after week 5?

All teams play in weeks 6 and 7. Teams not qualifying for the DPL Championship Playoffs will compete in the Consolation Bracket.

8. Does the "home team" have to stick with the same starting side for every game if they choose side instead of serve/receive?

The Home team selects “Serve” or “End” prior to the match beginning with the first game that night. Team with the serve begins every game with the serve. Team that gets “end” can switch their starting “end” every game if they choose.

9. How are teams owned?

DPL Teams are purchased by ownerships or individuals that desire to be involved in the current or upcoming season. Ownership fees are placed into prize money for players and owners(hips) to win during last two weeks of play in the session (also known as DPL Championship Playoffs).

10. How are teams formed?

Teams are drafted before each session begins. Prize money is awarded to teams finishing in top three places of DPL Championship Playoffs.

11. How many games are played every Friday night?

Nine – Played in the following order: Women’s Doubles; Men’s Doubles; Women’s Doubles; Men’s Doubles; Mixed Doubles; Men’s Doubles; Mixed Doubles; Mixed Doubles; and Team “DreamBreak” Doubles.

12. Who selects the lineup?

The owner selects the lineup and will submit the lineups to Keith Verellen each Thursday morning.

13. What is rally scoring and how is it different from traditional?

The DPL “league format” will consist of “rally scoring” where every serve will result in one point for a team playing on that court. Rally scoring will result in a team’s player on that specific side to serve when their score is even or odd. Each player remains on that specific side during that one game in that team match-up.  For the purpose of clarification, Player A on the team will always serve on the even side (if starting on that side) for that specific game while Player B on the team will serve from the odd (score) side (if beginning on that side) for that specific game. No sides will be switched by the players during that specific game. Rally scoring games in the DPL will be played to 21 while the teams reaching 20 will “freeze” their score, can only score future points on their serve (like in traditional pickleball scoring), and can only win the game (by two points) on their serve. Each game is a “win by two” game format. All games during DPL weekly matchups are played to 21 and a win by 2 scoring format. Both teams will switch “ends” once the first team reaches 11 points. With rally scoring utilized, players do not switch serving sides after winning a point, but may switch sides of the court AFTER the first team reaches 11 points (and the “end switch” is reached). This said “switch of sides” of the court by players needs to be mentioned by the players to their opponent BEFORE game play continues. Players on a team can also “switch sides” during the game after a time out is taken by any team.

14. What are games played to?

Games are played to 21 win by 2. Teams switch ends at 11 during each game. Points can only be scored on that team’s serve once they reach 20 points in that game.

15. Can a team call timeout?

One 60 second timeout per game per team.

16. How many timeouts?

One 60 second timeout per game per team.

17. Is coaching allowed?

Coaching is allowed any time…. Notduring play when the ball is live (being played)

18. How many teams in DPL?

Currently there are 8 teams in the DPL.

19. How many weeks in a session and how is the schedule set?

There are 7 weeks per session, Fridays at 6:45pm – 10pm. Matchups are randomly generated using a randomization scheduler app. 

20. How are playoffs determined?

Top four teams with most points accumulated from game wins and match bonus points qualify for DPL Championship Playoffs.

21. How to determine the lineup for the Team “Dreambreak” game?

Owners may decide the Team Dream Break game line up just prior to the Team Dream Breaker. 

Team “DreamBreak” Doubles, the ninth game of the match-up, is where a team provides four players (men, women, or mixed) to participate in a game where they will rotate off the court after their team scores 4 points. Only four team members of a team are eligible to participate in the Team “DreamBreak” Doubles game between the two teams in the match-up. Each team is allowed one (1) one minute timeout per game during the weekly match-up.

22. Where can I find the DPL rules?

DPL rules are posted at the bottom of the DPL Website: DPL Home (detroitpickleballleague.org)

23. How do I become a sub for DPL?

If you would like to become a sub for DPL, please contact Keith Verellen at 810-417-1032