From: USAPA Great Lakes Region & Fort Wayne Pickleball Inc

Date:  March 30, 2020

Announcement: 

COVID-19 Crisis Forces Rescheduling of the 2020 USA Pickleball Great Lakes Regional Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana

The USA Pickleball Great Lakes Region is announcing today that the date for the USA Pickleball Great Lakes Regional Championships in Fort Wayne, IN has been rescheduled from June 18-21, 2020 to June 17-20, 2021.   
 
Without knowing the full extent the impact of the COVID-19 crisis will have on our community and country in the coming months, the tournament directors felt compelled to make this difficult decision for numerous reasons. Most important was concern for the safety of the almost 700 players that would be coming from all over the country, as well as the many volunteers and spectators. 
 
“Sports has appropriately been taking a back seat during this crisis”, said Mike Fritsch, tournament co-director with Keith Wolverton, “but we are happy to announce that players can roll their registration over to next year if desired, and that our tournament will still be a qualifier for Nationals 2021. We are simply rescheduling the tournament date.”
 
Options for players who have already registered for the tournament can be found below and on the tournament registration page on pickleballtournaments.com.
 

REGISTRATION OPTIONS FOR PLAYERS

General Notes

• The tournament is being rescheduled to June 17-20, 2021. This was done to preserve all the effort players put in to get registered. 
• The tournament remains a qualifier for Nationals 2021.
• You have until April 15, 2020 at 11:59PM ET to make adjustments to your registration, per the guidelines below.  After that date, the tournament will be frozen until open registration opens again next year.

Player Options

If you have already paid your registration and event fees:

1. You can keep your registration for next year’s tournament (June 2021).  You can skip the registration process next year - you are already in!  This is a big deal as the tournament is almost full already.  In addition, any increases in registration and event fees next year will be WAIVED for you (this excludes possible increases in referee fees).  If you choose this option, no action is needed; you are automatically enrolled for next year.
2. You can withdraw from the tournament.  You will receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee to cover our costs to date.  You may sign up again during open registration next year, but risk not being able to get back into the tournament.  To choose this option, please log into your account at pickleballtournaments.com and withdraw from the tournament.  You must withdraw by April 15, 2020 to receive a refund this year.  We will issue your refund as quickly as possible following the April 15, 2020 registration freeze.

If you have not yet paid your registration fees:

1. If you pay your registration and event fees by April 15, 2020, you will retain your current spot in the 2021 tournament.  In addition, any increases in registration and event fees next year will be WAIVED for you (this excludes possible increases in referee fees). 
2. If you do not pay your tournament fees by April 15, 2020, you will be removed from the tournament.  You may sign up again during open registration next year, but risk not being able to get back into the tournament. This will not impact your paid partner's registration.

If a player has not yet registered for the tournament:

1. We will continue to accept new registrations for next year’s tournament (June 2021) until the April 15, 2020, 11:59PM freeze date. Registration will then open again in early 2021.

Other Information

Following the April 15, 2020 registration freeze date:

• All players that have not paid will be removed from the tournament.
• If there is room in an event, registered and paid players will be moved OFF the waitlist and into events.
• We will connect with all of you early next year, prior to open registration, to consider adjustments to brackets due to changes in age or skill level.
• If you are on a waitlist and we are unable to move you into an event next year, your fees will be refunded in full.

Questions?

• If you have questions or need help prior to the April 15 freeze date, contact Hannah Gent, our pickleballtournaments.com registration lead, at 252-628-9284 or peep.pball@gmail.com.
• After the freeze date, or for general tournament questions, contact Dawn Horan at 260-273-0855 or dawnhoran@adamswells.com.

Sincerely,

Your 2020 USA Pickleball Great Lakes Regional Tournament Leadership Team:

Keith Wolverton,
Mike Fritsch,
Dawn Horan,
Mike Schone,
Holly Small,
Ryan Keirns