The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) offers a unique team format for amateur players, mirroring the excitement of Major League Pickleball. This format allows players to compete in a fast-paced, social, and pressure-filled environment, with opportunities to earn their way to The Dink MiLP Championships. At its core, MiLP is designed to provide a fun and competitive experience for players of all levels.
Understanding the MiLP Format
A traditional MiLP match consists of four separate 21-point games, played back-to-back on the same court, in the following order: Women's doubles, Men's doubles, Mixed doubles (first pairing), and Mixed doubles (second pairing). Each team has four players, with two women and two men, and the lineup rules ensure that each player participates in two of the four games, with no pairing playing together twice in the same match.
Here are the key aspects of the MiLP format:
- Rally Scoring with a Twist: Games are played to 21 with rally scoring, but to win, a team must be the serving team and win by two. If the receiving team wins the rally that would clinch the game, the game doesn't end until they win the serve back and close it out on their own serve.
- Dreambreaker: If teams split the four games 2-2, a Dreambreaker game is played. This is a single game of singles where all four players rotate through in a set order, each playing four rallies before the next teammate steps in.
- Divisions: Teams are placed into divisions based on their combined DUPR rating, ensuring fair competition. The divisions are:
- DUPR 22: 22.999 (select markets/special events)
- DUPR 20: 20.300 / 20.999
- DUPR 18: 18.300
- DUPR 16: 16.300
- DUPR 14: 14.300
- DUPR 12: 12.300
Additionally, MiLP offers three ways to play: the Original (Mixed) format, V3, and other variations. The Original format is the classic MiLP experience, while V3 features single-gender trios and a streamlined match play format. V3 has its own division ladder at DUPR 9, 11, 13, and 15, providing a separate pathway to Championships.
Overall, the Dink Minor League Pickleball provides an exciting and competitive environment for amateur players, with a unique format that emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and social interaction. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, MiLP offers a fun and challenging experience that's sure to keep you coming back for more.
