Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation Hosts First-Ever Pickleball Tournament Feb. 28 For ECG

Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation will stage its first-ever pickleball tournament on Feb. 28 at Pickleplex Social Club in Belleville to raise funds for an electrocardiogram machine for Trenton Memorial Hospital. The fundraiser is open to players of all skill levels and aims to combine community play with a direct boost to local clinical capacity.

The event will feature mixed, men’s and women’s doubles brackets, with players placed in two rating divisions: 3.49 and under, and 3.5 and above. Registration is $100 per league, and organizers have posted an online registration link for athletes to sign up. Proceeds from entry fees will go toward purchasing the ECG machine, an essential piece of equipment used to monitor heart activity and support emergency and diagnostic care at the hospital.

Pickleplex Social Club will host the matches on its indoor courts, providing a social atmosphere that suits both recreational players and more competitive 3.5+ paddles. The bracket structure and mixed options are designed to keep play accessible while ensuring fair matches across skill levels, so players can expect standard doubles rotations, serving order, and the usual kitchen rules that shape third-shot strategy and dink exchanges.

For local players, the tournament offers practical value beyond fundraising. Competing provides match play to tune serves, third-shot drops and transition offense ahead of spring leagues. For spectators and volunteers, the event is an opportunity to support hospital services in a tangible way: every registration dollar will be applied to the ECG purchase rather than general overhead. That direct link between entry fees and equipment purchase makes participation a clear way to turn paddle time into patient care.

Organizers recommend registering early to secure a spot in the appropriate division, as space at Pickleplex Social Club is limited by court availability. Players unsure of their rating can use club-supplied guidance to self-rate into the 3.49 and under or 3.5+ brackets. Mixed and gender-specific brackets give flexibility for teams and encourage players to form pairings that match playing style and strategy.

This tournament brings together local courts, competitive spirit and community philanthropy. Whether you plan to bring your best dink, support from the sideline, or a volunteer shift, participating on Feb. 28 will help Trenton Memorial Hospital add a vital ECG machine while keeping the local pickleball calendar lively and community-focused.