Field Notes

Build log, guides, and the occasional pickleball news roundup.

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  GuideMay 19, 2026·3 min read

  The Orange County pickleball court guide for 2026

  The best public and semi-private pickleball courts in Orange County, ranked by surface, lights, and how busy they get.

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  GuideMay 19, 2026·4 min read

  How to set pickleball fees without drama (per-head, drop-in, court splits)

  A practical guide to charging your pickleball crew for court fees, balls, and snacks without making it weird.

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  GuideMay 19, 2026·4 min read

  The Pickleloonies 2026 paddle buying guide (for your first or fifth paddle)

  How to pick a pickleball paddle in 2026 — weight, core, face, grip, and the real differences between $80 and $250.

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  GuideMay 19, 2026·3 min read

  How to run a round robin pod (formats, rotation, scoring)

  Step-by-step rules for running a 12-player, 3-court round robin pickleball pod, including rotation, scoring, and tiebreakers.

• GuideMay 18, 2026·5 min read

  How to organize a weekly pickleball crew without losing your mind

  The lightweight system my Tuesday pod has used for two years. Copy it whether you use Pickleloonies or not.