Senior Pickleball Report
Boca Raton Based, World Pickleball Group, Purchases South Florida’s First Pickleball Franchise
The Boca Raton Picklers will be one of six new franchises in the National Pickleball League
Boca Raton will now feature its own franchise for Pickleball Pros in National Pickleball League™
BOCA RATON, FL /EINPresswire.com/ — The World Pickleball Group, led by Carl Foster and Rick Retamar and his team of partners, is proud to announce the launch of the Boca Raton Picklers, South Florida’s first professional pickleball franchise as part of the new National Pickleball League™ (NPL™.)
The Boca Raton Picklers will be one of six new franchises in the National Pickleball League (www.nplpickleball.com), which is a professional pickleball league for Champions Pros (defined as players that are 50+). The WPG team is set to make a big impact, having already staged two of the largest tournaments in pickleball in South Florida – The Boca Raton Pickleball Masters and the upcoming 3rd Annual Delray Beach Pickleball Open in May 10-14, 2023. The Boca Masters was recently one of the most watched pickleball tournaments, with over 50 thousand viewers surpassing Major League Pickleball, APP, and PPA tournaments.
To celebrate the launch and new team logo of the Boca Raton Picklers, a press event will be held on Friday, March 3rd at Maggiano’s Little Italy Boca Raton located at 21090 St. Andrews Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33433.
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, a pickleball aficionado himself, will be in attendance along with executives from the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and NPL executives Michael “Hammer Mike” Chen and the #1 ranked Men’s Champions Pro, Rick Witsken, along with some of the country’s top Champion Pros.
“We are thrilled to bring the first professional pickleball franchise to Boca Raton and South Florida,” said Carl Foster, CEO of The World Pickleball Group and co-owner of the Boca Raton Picklers, LLC, which will be the company that owns the pickleball team.
“It’s a fact that pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of helping grow the sport along with the development of the NPL,” added Rick Retamar, Florida attorney for 33 years and co-owner of the Boca Raton Picklers, LLC.
“We launched NPL in December 2022 as a home for Champions Pros, by Champions Pros. We wanted the league to be a grassroots effort and honor the Champions Players,” NPL co-founder Michael Chen explains. “Pickleball would not have had the explosion of growth it has today if it wasn’t for the commitment that this demographic gave to this game over the years. We are thrilled that the Boca Raton Picklers are joining us on this journey.”
“Carl, Rick and their team at the World Pickleball Group are well-connected partners who are focused on growing the great sport of pickleball,” added #1 ranked Champion Pro and NPL co-founder Beth Bellamy. “We are very excited about working with the Boca Raton Picklers to make the NPL the best it can be.”
The Boca Raton Picklers will bring together some of the top talent in the sport and create a world-class team that will compete at the highest level. The NPL draft will be held in April after a two-day player combine March 25-26, 2023 at the Chicken N Pickles Oklahoma City indoor location.
There will be 6 events in 2023 at the host partner of Chicken N Pickles locations and schedules are available online at www.nplpickleball.com. Foster and Retamar will be working with the NPL to host at least one home match in Boca Raton for 2024.
“The NPL is so excited for Boca Raton to be a landing pad for Champions Pros to showcase their abilities and to vie for the top prize,” commented #1 Ranked Champions Pro and NPL™ Co-Founder, Rick Witsken. “The men and women who play for the Boca Raton Picklers will be committing themselves to excellence in their training, competitiveness and sportsmanship, along with striving to get their share of the largest ever Champions Pro Prize Pool of $100,000!”
Source: EIN Presswire
https://stmdailynews.com/category/sports/sleeves-senior-pickleball/
health and wellness
“Protect Your Skin: Celebrate Sunscreen Day”
“May 27th is Sunscreen Day! Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with broad-spectrum sunscreen and sun safety practices.”
Last Updated on May 27, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Sunscreen Day is a day dedicated to promoting the importance of wearing sunscreen and protecting our skin from harmful UV rays. Observed annually on May 27th, this day serves as a reminder that sunscreen is not just for the beach or pool, but an essential part of our daily routine.
The sun emits two types of harmful UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are responsible for premature aging, such as wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays cause sunburn and can lead to the development of skin cancer. Sunscreen works by absorbing or reflecting these rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin.
Unfortunately, many people still do not wear sunscreen or do not wear it correctly. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, only 30% of Americans regularly use sunscreen. This is concerning, as skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with over 5 million cases diagnosed each year.
To ensure that sunscreen is effective, it is important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays, while SPF 30 provides adequate protection for most skin types. Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
It is also important to remember that sunscreen is not the only way to protect your skin from the sun. Seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours (10 am to 4 pm) can also help reduce your risk of sun damage.
Sunscreen Day is a great opportunity to start incorporating sunscreen into your daily routine. Make it a habit to apply sunscreen every morning before leaving the house, and keep a bottle in your car or bag for reapplication throughout the day. Encourage your friends and family to do the same, and spread awareness about the importance of sun protection.
In conclusion, sunscreen is a crucial aspect of protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the sun. By choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and incorporating it into our daily routine, we can reduce our risk of skin cancer and premature aging. So let’s celebrate Sunscreen Day by making a commitment to protect our skin and encouraging others to do the same!
For more information heres a link to the Skin Cancer Foundation: https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/
Sports
CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated Partners With CityPickle to Expand Urban Pickleball Access in NYC
CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated partners with CityPickle to expand NYC pickleball access, adding Central Park, Times Square and LIC courts to easy online booking.
New York City’s pickleball boom is getting a little easier to navigate. CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated, a North America–wide platform for booking sports facilities, announced a strategic partnership with CityPickle that will bring several of the operator’s most recognizable NYC courts onto CatchCorner’s reservation network.
The launch includes three CityPickle locations: Wollman Rink in Central Park, the flagship facility in Times Square, and indoor courts in Long Island City. A fourth site at Brooklyn Bridge is expected to open soon, expanding the footprint even further. The idea is simple: players can discover and book court time through CatchCorner in “just a few clicks,” with real-time availability and built-in payment options.
Why this partnership matters
Pickleball’s growth has been fueled by accessibility, but in dense cities the biggest barrier is often logistics: finding courts, knowing what’s available, and actually locking in a time slot. By pairing CityPickle’s high-profile, high-traffic venues with CatchCorner’s booking infrastructure, the partnership aims to reduce friction for everyone from first-timers to regular players.
CatchCorner CEO Jonathan Azouri framed CityPickle as a key player in expanding access, pointing to the way the operator is repurposing iconic city spaces into “dynamic hubs for sport, community, and social connection.” CityPickle’s Director of Strategic Operations, Nate Hamowy, echoed that community-first approach, saying the company’s mission is to create a place where “everyone can enjoy the game,” and that CatchCorner’s platform helps players find and connect across sports.
The bigger trend: racquet sports go urban
The announcement also signals a broader shift in how racquet sports are being built into city life. Instead of relying solely on traditional clubs or hard-to-access public courts, operators are increasingly activating prominent locations and creating event-like environments around play. In a place like NYC—where space is scarce and demand is high—partnerships like this can be the difference between pickleball feeling like a trend and pickleball becoming a permanent part of the city’s recreation ecosystem.
What to watch for next
- Brooklyn Bridge expansion: The upcoming fourth location could be a major demand driver, especially if it mirrors the visibility and foot traffic of the Central Park and Times Square sites.
- More venue additions: CatchCorner’s model is built for scale. If the CityPickle rollout performs well, it could accelerate additional urban racquet-sport partnerships.
- Community programming: The most successful city courts tend to pair bookings with leagues, clinics, and social play—expect more structured programming as these venues attract new players.
Players looking to reserve court time can do so through CatchCorner’s platform at www.catchcorner.comor via the CatchCorner app on the App Store and Google Play.
The Sports section of STM Daily News is your ultimate destination for all things sports, catering to everyday fans and dedicated enthusiasts alike. We cover a wide range of topics, from the thrill of amateur competitions to the excitement of semi-professional and professional leagues. Our content delves into physical and mental fitness, providing insights and tips that help individuals elevate their performance, whether on the field or in their personal wellness journeys. Stay informed and inspired as we explore the dynamic world of sports, celebrating both the passion of the players and the joy of the fans.
https://stmdailynews.com/sports
Senior Pickleball Report
Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion Starts in Roseville; Sleeves SPR Has Full Details
West Coast pickleball players could see more indoor options soon as Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion becomes statewide. The first club opens in Roseville with 11 indoor courts.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Pickleball Kingdom, which calls itself the world’s largest indoor pickleball entity, announced a landmark agreement to develop locations across California, with multi-unit franchisees Parminder and Komal Saini leading the statewide expansion.
Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion
The company said demand is rising across the Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire, and that future clubs are expected to include professional-grade indoor courts, coaching and clinics for all skill levels, youth development programs, leagues and tournaments, a pro shop, and social areas.
The first California location is set to open in Roseville with grand opening activities the weekend of March 28. The club will feature 11 professional-grade indoor courts across approximately 32,900 square feet at 10251 Fairway Drive, Roseville, CA 95678.
For more context on the announcement and what the rollout could mean for California players, Sleeves Senior Pickleball Report published a full write-up here: https://sleeves-spr.com/pickleball-kingdom-announces-major-california-expansion-first-club-opens-in-roseville/Pickleball Kingdom also said it is seeking additional franchise partners in California. More information is available at https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
