D.C. Pickleball Team and Down the Line Sports Center Partner on Groundbreaking Initiative for Local Amateur Pickleball Players launching Road to Minors (RTM) Tournament Series
New Program to Give Opportunity for D.C.-Area Players to Earn Spots On DCPT’s Minor League Pickleball Team Rosters
Washington, D.C. – January 13, 2025 – Major League Pickleball’s (MLP) D.C. Pickleball Team (DCPT), Down the Line Sports Center (DTL), Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), and Pickleball Drop Shop (PDS) have partnered to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind pathway for amateur pickleball players: Road to Minors (RTM) Tournament Series.
The RTM Tournament Series is the first-ever year-round program designed to identify and cultivate local talent to ladder up to D.C. Pickleball Team’s Minor League Pickleball rosters.
All events will be hosted exclusively by Down the Line Sports Center, where players will participate in DUPR sessions and monthly tournaments to earn points in an effort to qualify for DCPT’s MiLP DUPR 12 to 22 rosters. Weekly DUPR sessions begin Friday, January 31, and the first tournament kicks off Friday, February 28.
This initiative marks a significant milestone for pickleball enthusiasts, providing a structured pathway to elevate their game, compete at a higher level, and engage with D.C. Pickleball Team’s leading coaches and talent evaluators.
Registration is now open via Pickleballtournaments.com and the DCPT and DTL websites.
How It Works
- RTM DUPR Sessions: Participants must complete a minimum number of RTM DUPR sessions to ensure accurate ratings and fair competition. All sessions will be offered weekly, starting Friday, January 31, at Down the Line Sports Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Events will move to the new state-of-the-art Annandale facility when it opens this Summer. This local focus reflects DCPT and DTL’s shared commitment to fostering talent within the DMV community.
- Tracking Progress: Player performance will be monitored via DUPR and Pickleballbrackets, ensuring transparent and accurate tracking of scores and progress. This system enables participants and the DC Pickleball Team to effectively evaluate top players throughout the year.
- Monthly RTM Tournaments & Wildcard Opportunities: Beginning in February, RTM tournaments will feature men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles at DUPR levels ranging from 3.0 to open division. Points will be awarded to the top four teams in each division. In addition to monthly tournaments, players will have opportunities to enhance their profiles and impress DCPT scouts through special combines and mini-tournaments throughout the year.
- Year-End RTM Cup: The series will culminate in an MiLP-format tournament, where top players will showcase their skills in front of DCPT ownership and coaching staff for potential Minor League roster spots and an opportunity to represent the team at The Dink MiLP Nationals in December.
- Unique Giveaways at all the events there will be unique giveaways for participants including RTM branded shirts provided by RTM’s Official Retail Partner, Pickleball Drop Shop, and other brands. The first round giveaway sponsor, Paddletek, will provide each RTM first round winner a Paddletek paddle. Limited edition Helios arm sleeves will also be provided.
Don’t miss your chance to join the Road to Minors and take the first step toward a spot on the D.C. Pickleball Team’s Minor League roster!
If you are interested in running an RTM Tournament, go to www.roadtominors.com for more information.
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About D.C. Pickleball Team:
D.C. Pickleball Team (DCPT) is DC’s Premier Level Major League Pickleball (MLP) team that joined MLP ahead of the 2023 season. DCPT’s ownership group includes Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Rip Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Odell Beckham Jr., Cliff Avril and Mesut Ozil.
DCPT won the franchise’s first ever MLP Championship on November 5, 2023 in Dallas. The current roster includes James Ignatowich, world ranked #3 in pickleball; Rachel Rohrabacher, former D1 tennis star at the University of South Carolina, MLP Champion, and top ten ranked pickleballer; Dekel Bar, former pro tennis player and world pickleball ranked #6; and Vivian Glozman, former D1 tennis standout at the University of Virginia, and now pickleball’s fastest rising star.
For more information about D.C. Pickleball Team, visit dcpickleballteam.com and follow on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
About Down the Line (DTL) Sports Center
Down the Line Sports Center is a premier pickleball and sports facility dedicated to fostering growth, competition, and community engagement. Located in the heart of Virginia, DTL provides state-of-the-art facilities and programs for athletes of all levels. From organized leagues and tournaments to open play, private instruction, and social events, DTL provides a place for your love of pickleball to thrive.
DTL is a one-of-a-kind facility that offers training and events to take your game to the next level. From beginners looking to learn to seasoned players looking to compete at a higher level, DTL provides the best resources to elevate your game. DTL also features a custom app that revolutionizes the way you book courts, sign up for events, and capture your most remarkable pickleball moments. With this innovative app you can record game footage that can be replayed and shared as you relive your best shots. For more information about DTL, visit dtlsportscenter.com and follow on Instagram @dtlsportscenter and Facebook @Down the Line Sports Center
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale.
DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), PPA, Major League Pickleball (MLP), Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.
About MiLP
Minor League Pickleball (MiLP), owned and operated by DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), is the premier amateur pickleball tour and a one-of-a-kind platform offering players a “play like the pros” experience. Modeled after Major League Pickleball, MiLP has been empowering amateur teams to compete at the highest level for several years. Teams participate in a series of local events that culminate in the highly anticipated Nationals event each year, with prize money on the line.
With its unique team-based format, Minor League Pickleball has not only grown to become the largest amateur pickleball tour but has also served as a proving ground for future professional players. Notable alumni like Connor Garnett have made the leap to the pro ranks, showcasing the league’s ability to develop talent. Whether you’re aiming to sharpen your skills or compete for glory, Minor League Pickleball is the ultimate pathway for passionate players to elevate their game.
About Pickleball Drop Shop
Pickleball Drop Shop (PDS) is a team of individuals who share a love, passion, and drive to spread pickleball through their communities. The company believes that pickleball isn’t just a sport or business, but a place to build friends, family, and endless opportunities. PDS has an online presence and now brick-and-mortar location based just outside the heart of Georgia in Norcross. Specializing in selling high end pickleball products ranging from paddles, gear, accessories, and their own line of merchandise, PDS continues to expand their reach around their brand with their iconic moon man logo. PDS is working with B2C, B2B, and prides their work in being more than a “traditional” retail store. For more information on Pickleball Drop Shop, visit the official website and follow on Instagram @pickleballdropshop; just look for the Moon Man.
About Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville)
Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) is the preeminent, coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring nearly 100 of the best athletes across 22 teams, a unique format, easy to understand scoring, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. In 2024, MLP and the PPA Tour merged under the newly-formed United Pickleball Association, bringing together the leading professional pickleball organizations under a single entity. For more information on Major League Pickleball, visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
