THE AUTUMN EQUINOX IS AN OUTDOOR TOURNAMENT IN SEPTEMBER. IF WEATHER RESULTS IN THE CANCELLATION OF ANY OR ALL EVENTS, A FULL REFUND WILL BE ISSUED TO THOSE AFFECTED LESS A $5 SETUP FEE THAT WE ARE CHARGED BY PICKLEBALL BRACKETS.

This is Bellingham Pickleball Club's first annual Autumn Equinox Tournament at Whatcom Community College.

REGULAR REGISTRATION OPENED, AUGUST 26, and late registration begins September 8, 6 AM. Register early to ensure your place and save money on registration. Each member of a team needs to register separately. You may register without a partner, but you are responsible for finding other single players and making the connection yourself. A separate registration is required from EACH PLAYER. If you register with a partner and the partner doesn't register WITHIN THREE DAYS you will be moved to the wait list UNTIL YOUR PARTNER REGISTERS.

If verified BEFORE registering, Bellingham Pickleball Club members get $15 off registration. (See below.*)

Late registration begins September 8 and will be $10 more than regular.

ALL REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 10 DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE TOURNAMENT, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 8:00 AM.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE TOURNAMENT, SEPTEMBER 21 & 22

SCHEDULE (This is is an approximation of our expected schedule for each day, but it will be subject to change until registration closes):

SATURDAY, September 21: Women's doubles and Men's doubles

→ 8:00 AM Women 4.0 and 4.5, Men 4.0 and 4.5

→ 10:30 AM Women 2.5/novice, 3.0 60+, Men 2.5/novice, 3.0 60+

→ 1:00 PM Women 3.5 all ages, Men 3.5 all ages

→ 3:30 PM Women 3.0 all ages, Men 3.0 all ages

SUNDAY, September 22: Mixed doubles

→ 8:00 AM Mixed 3.5 all ages

→ 10:30 AM Mixed 4.5 all ages, 3.0 60+

→ 1:00 PM Mixed 2.5/novice all ages, 3.5 60+

→ 3:30 PM Mixed 4.0, Mixed 3.0 all ages

There may be two events happening simultaneously. Only register for one event per day. On September 1, if there is space in an event, a player may register for a second event that day if the event is a level no more than 0.5 higher than the player's level AND if it is not at an adjacent time to an event the player is in.

Estimated start times for each event may change, A more firm start time will be announced after registration has closed and by Monday, September 16. All start times are estimates and may change depending on necessary changes after registration closes.

NOTES:

- The official tournament ball is the Franklin X-40.

- Pickleball Brackets charges a $5 service fee for registering for the first TWO events. To avoid paying an unnecessary service fee, if you are wanting to CHANGE events, drop the first event first and THEN add the second event. If you add a second event first and then drop the first event, you will be charged the second non-refundable event fee of $5.

* For the Bellingham Pickleball Club member discount, there are three things that need to happen:

1. Be or become a member of Bellingham Pickleball Club (go to https://bellinghampickleball.org) AND,

2. Have or create a free account with Pickleball Brackets (go to https://pickleballbrackets.com) AND,

3. Once your Pickleball Brackets account is set up, join Bellingham Pickleball Club in Pickleball Brackets.

THEN, once your account is set up, and you are logged into Pickleball Brackets, click on "Clubs", and search for Bellingham. If you are a current paid member of Bellingham Pickleball Club, select Bellingham Pickleball Club, click on "Become a member" and then, "Click Here Complete Your Request". Your membership will need to be verified. (It may take up to 24 hours.) Once you have been verified, your may register and your discount will be applied.

- A player may play at a higher level (play up), but may not play down (sand bag). Pickleball Brackets uses self rating and DUPR. If you have a DUPR of 3.43, you could put down that you are a 3.0 and play against players who are 3.0 and lower, but we encourage you to put down 3.5 and play with people who are, like you, challenging themselves. This is in keeping with the spirit of pickleball. 2.5 events are for players 2.5 and under. 3.0 events are 3.0 and under, etc. Bellingham Pickleball Club reserves the right to move players to another event if they are known to be playing down.

- A minimum of 5 games are guaranteed. Number of games played and points per game will depend on registration. Our goal is to maximize the number of rallies each team gets to play, and the number of other teams each team gets to play, while staying on schedule to ensure that each event starts on time. Pool play will either be round-robin (each team plays every other team in your pool), or waterfall (playing 4 best matches before the medals round).

- Depending on registration numbers, we may split events by age (under 40, 40+), and we may combine teams to make for the best player experience.

- When registering with a partner, make sure your partner knows that they need to register within 3 DAYS or you will be moved to the waiting list.

- All games will be played with rally scoring‡ with games pool games to 15, win by 1, and medal matches to 21 win by 2. This may be adjusted to improve player experiences. Medal matches may have a maximum point cap, if necessary to keep the events on schedule.

- All events are available and open to all ages except those listed as 60+. For the sharp-eyed among you, you may notice your age is one year off. The is because, after you register, your age is shown as of December 31, 2024,

- You may register for up to two events (one each day). Basic registration includes one event. The second event is an additional $20 and Pickleball Brackets charges a $5 fee for each event.

‡ Rally scoring is different from traditional scoring in several ways. The key difference is that a point is awarded for every rally, "one point per serve", without regard to who served the ball. Here are the other differences:

- Before each game begins, players on each team choose to be on either the left side or the right side for serving and receiving. Players do not change sides during regular play.

- The team that wins each rally will get a point and will serve. When the score is even for the team that just won the rally, the player on the right side of the court will serve. When the score is odd for the team that just won the rally, the player on the left side of the court will serve.

- After the ball is served and received, players may move just as with traditional scoring.

- The one exception to "one point per serve" is that a team must serve the winning point. So when playing to 21, if the score is 19 to 20, and the team with 19 points is serving but loses that rally, the score remains 19 to 20. If the score is 19 to 20 and the team with 20 points is serving, but loses that rally, the other team will get a point and the score will then be 20 to 20 with the serve going to the team that won the rally.

- If a team wishes to change sides after choosing their side there are three times when a team to change sides with their partner. 1. A team may choose to change side during their time out. 2. A team may choose to change sides during their opponent's time out if they take a time out. 3. A team may choose to change side during a change of ends halfway through a game.

Many players like rally scoring because it simplifies scoring and play, and it changes the pace of the game. It can also be helpful for tournament play because it keeps games progressing and a tournament schedule on time.

Up to 30 days before the tournament, refunds will be issued less $10. Within 30 days to 15 days before the tournament, 50% refunds will be made. Within 15 days of the tournament, no refunds will be issued.

The exception is if an event is cancelled due to weather or any other reason, a full refund less $5 will be issued.

If weather creates unsafe conditions, we will cancel an event an issue a refund.

- Whenever a ball is entering another court, "ball" should loudly be called, and that rally replayed. Play safely, we want to see you at future events.

- In the case of injury, up to 10 minutes will be allowed to determine if the player can continue.

- In case a player becomes ill or is injured, another registered player may serve as a replacement, if available, and plays at a level that is appropriate for the event. If a higher level player plays in a lower level event, then that team will not be eligible for a medal match.

- There will be a First Aid kit on site.