Record entrants ready for ‘Pickleball Capital of Ohio’ in Middletown this weekend

Middletown proclaims itself the “Pickleball Capital of Ohio.”

This weekend the city will earn that title as 380 pickleball players from 11 states will play in the 14th annual Middletown Pickleball Tournament at Lefferson Park. The 18 courts are the most in Ohio, said Michell Cook, tournament director.

The field is the largest in the tournament’s history and visitors are expected to pump about $150,000 into the local economy, said Mary Huttlinger, executive director of the Middletown Visitors Bureau.

She said tournament organizers aggressively pass out visitor guides, coupon books and encourage players to patronize local businesses and attractions.

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