Erik Tice

Less than a year after opening its doors for the first time to the public, the St. Pete Athletic Club is hosting its first Major League Pickleball (MLP) event. Graham D’Amico, known as one of the owners of the Florida Smash in MLP, a co-host on the Bad Calls Pickleball Podcast, is also a co-founder of St. Pete Athletic. If you read the club’s About section, D’Amico and Rueben Pressman were co-founders of the venue.

The New Jersey Fives won MLP Columbus two weeks ago, had the weekend off while others played MLP St. Louis, and then just won the MLP Austin event. How did the 5s get it done? The Fives have moved themselves into second place in terms of points per event and are sitting pretty for the playoffs. In pool play, they beat the Smash 4-0, and also beat the Breakers, Ranchers, and Bouncers 3-1. Their biggest test in pool play came from the last place Dallas Flash, winning 3-2 in a Dreambreaker, 22-20.

I feel like I blinked and we are now entering week four of the 2026 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season. The St. Louis Shock have a commanding point lead, having played the first three events of the year. The New Jersey 5s and Columbus Sliders are in Austin, both hoping to win the event to boost themselves into top four contention. For the second straight year, the Austin Pickle Ranch is hosting the event. In my opinion, this is one of the nicest indoor facilities in the country.