Pickleball Excitement Comes to Wrigley Field
CHICAGO — Cubs fans with tickets to Tuesday’s game will get a double-dose of major league sports as Chicago’s professional pickleball team will face off against St. Louis in an exhibition match at Gallagher Way ahead of the game.
The Exhibition Match
Major League Pickleball’s (MLP) Chicago Slice will face off against the St. Louis Shock in a rivalry exhibition match that will be held outside of Wrigley Field on Tuesday, September 17, ahead of the Cubs’ game against the Oakland Athletics. According to officials, the match will take place between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Gallagher Way and the event is free for ticket holders of that evening’s game.
The Format of Pickleball
The MLP format of Pickleball brings men and women together in four-game matches. The first two games are played as either women’s doubles or men’s doubles, and the final two games consist of mixed doubles.
Meet the Chicago Slice
The Chicago Slice was formed in 2023 by Ron Saslow’s firm Thirty-5 Capital, according to the league, and among the team’s co-owners are Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, supermodel Heidi Klum, Entourage producer Doug Ellin, and tennis hall of famer Chris Evert.
Upcoming Tournament
After Tuesday’s exhibition match, the Slice will head to New York City for a three-day tournament in the heart of Central Park. Visit the MLP website or the Chicago Slice website for more information.
How the Match Will Be Played
The match will consist of four games, with the first two games played as either women’s doubles or men’s doubles, and the final two games played as mixed doubles. If the teams are tied up at the end of the matches, a singles tiebreaker match, called "DreamBreaker," will be played.
The League Structure
There are currently 22 MLP teams that are broken up into two categories. 12 MLP Premier Level teams and 10 MLP Challenger Level teams. MLP Premier Level teams consist of the league’s top 48 players.
Conclusion
Pickleball enthusiasts and Cubs fans alike are in for a treat as the Chicago Slice takes on the St. Louis Shock in an exhibition match at Gallagher Way. With its unique format and exciting gameplay, pickleball is a sport that is sure to captivate audiences of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the format of the exhibition match?
A: The match will consist of four games, with the first two games played as either women’s doubles or men’s doubles, and the final two games played as mixed doubles.
Q: What is the "DreamBreaker" tiebreaker match?
A: The "DreamBreaker" tiebreaker match is a singles match that will be played if the teams are tied up at the end of the matches.
Q: Who are the co-owners of the Chicago Slice?
A: The co-owners of the Chicago Slice are Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, supermodel Heidi Klum, Entourage producer Doug Ellin, and tennis hall of famer Chris Evert.
Q: Where will the Chicago Slice play next?
A: After Tuesday’s exhibition match, the Slice will head to New York City for a three-day tournament in the heart of Central Park.
