Third Shot Rants

Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
  • 4.8 (36)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

We're two friends in Chicago who love talking about pickleball.

  1. 4d ago

    The Mythology of Open Play

    Open Play: the best and worst thing about pickleball Open play for beginners Can be intimidating. Should true beginners go to open play? Do people want to play with beginners? Open play for advanced players Very few (truly) advanced players go to open play. Play can be chaotic so you can’t work on your game. Open play for everyone else Still not a leveled experience and games may not be competitive. Have to deal with overly competitive players who always target the weaker player and lob the infirm. Have to deal with overly intense people and weird personalities. Players may have to navigate the system to get good games. For clubs that offer open play, it can be hard to manage  People want leveled games. People avoid rotating. When it does work better, it’s because there is some structure created by players or the club within the open play. Closing remarks Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Gina and Howard’s summers   Resources: Intro to pickleball for beginners: https://youtu.be/rD1O3R9B0Sw?si=6eFMm8iCO1V_mLpL  Free learn to play sessions at Pickledilly: Wed. Oct 7 4-5:30pm; Sat. Oct 10 2-3:30pm; Mon. Oct 12 12-1:30pm; Thurs. Oct 15 7-8:30pm; Fri. Oct 16 5-6:30pm; Tues. Oct 20 6:30-8:00pm; Sat. Oct 24 11-12:30pm. Sign up on Court Reserve or call Pickledilly at: 847-233-8250. Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

  2. Jun 10

    Gina's Coaching Origin Story

    Howard and Gina talk about her coaching origin story. Gina’s coaching journey Prior work life Elon RPO certification  Professional career as coach Closing remarks Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: James Park Team Reach Code: JPP60202 Horner Park Open Tournament Team Reach Code: HornerParkOpen26 Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

  3. May 5

    Chicago Area Open Play Courts

    Howard and Gina tell you about different open play courts in the Chicago area that they’re familiar with.   Information on open play courts below. This is based on our best understanding. Reported typical open play times are very rough and will vary from day to day.  Please email thirdshotrants@gmail.com with corrections and comments.   Horner Park (Chicago) Typical open play times: weekdays 9-11 am, 6-10 pm; weekend 9 am-noon and maybe rest of day. Lights: yes. Courts: on tennis courts, with up to eight pickle courts using temporary nets on either side of the tennis net. You need to bring/share pickle nets. Can also borrow a net from the fieldhouse if you leave a license. Racking system: white wood consolidated rack on east end (probably ignore the black ones by each court) Level of play: 3.0-4.5 ish, higher in the evenings. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bu5d47Bb8AaNEi6T7?g_st=ic.  Parking: free street parking on Montrose and adjacent streets; also a free lot on California, which is a bit of a walk. Team Reach code: 224488 Welles Park (Chicago) Typical open play times: weekdays 5-10 pm (maybe in the mornings but uncertain); weekend mornings 9 am-noon. Lights: yes. Courts: three dedicated courts, no separators. Racking system: consolidated rack on the east side. Level of play: 3.0-4.0 ish. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/21gGsywYgLyCERmc7?g_st=ic.  Parking: free street parking on Montrose and adjacent streets. Team Reach code: Wellespark3 Maggie Daley (Chicago) Typical open play times: weekdays 9 am-noon; weekends maybe 9 am-noon. Lights: yes (but not really applicable as open play is in the morning). Courts: on tennis courts, with up to perhaps twelve pickle courts using temporary nets on either side of the tennis net on weekday mornings; two pickle courts (or perhaps more) on weekend mornings; nets provided by park district. Racking system: not positive but it appears to be well organized on weekday mornings. Level of play: perhaps 3.0-4.0 ish. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t4Q5veVJ2Dij4GHK7. Parking: paid street parking on Randolph and Millenium Lakeside Garage: https://millenniumgarages.com/all-garages/millennium-lakeside-garage/ (signifcantly discounted rates if you pay in advance). Team Reach code: 337Rand Grant Park (Chicago) Typical open play times: weekdays 5-10 pm; weekends probably all day. Lights: yes. Courts: 16 dedicated courts, with separators for every four courts. Racking system: three racks by level but many players still attempt to impose challenge courts.  Listen to episode 2 for a full discussion.  Level of play: 3.0 to 4.5 ish (more advanced play in evenings). Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ahP6BmtFAVPTi6jw6 Parking: paid street parking on Columbus and adjacent streets and in parking garages west of MIchigan Ave. Team Reach code: PlayChicago Portage Park (Chicago) Typical open play times: weekdays 8-11 am, 5-10 pm; weekends 8-11 am and maybe rest of day.  Lights: yes. Courts: four dedicated courts with separators between the two rows. Racking system: black racks by each of the four courts. Level of play: 2.75 to 3.75 ish. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cdCPPqi91WiPxU5o8 Parking: free street parking on Berteau and free parking lot on east side of courts. Team Reach code: PPPB1234 Woodland Park (Park Ridge) Typical open play times: weekdays and weekends 8-11 am. Lights: no. Courts: six dedicated courts with separators between the two rows. Racking system: single consolidated rack by the waiting area. Level of play 3.0 to 4.0 ish.  Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CPJbnresnKQU3bvL6 Parking: free parking lot Team Reach code: not aware of one Community Playfield (Wilmette) aka “by Wilmette Jr High” Typical open play times: weekdays and weekends 8-11 am. Lights: no. Courts: six dedicated courts with separators for each court, plus two pickle courts on either side of the tennis court with nets provided by park district. Racking system: consolidated rack adjacent to the tennis court. Level of play: 3.0 to 4.25 ish. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n4MHc2Fbxf2pSJTY6 Parking: free parking lot in summer when not in use by the junior high and free street parking on Locust Road Team Reach code: LocustJr Oakton Park (Skokie) Typical open play times: weekday evenings 5-10 pm (certainly by 6 pm but sometimes by 5 pm), weekend mornings 9 am-noon and perhaps some times during rest of day. Lights: yes Courts: six dedicated courts with separators between the two rows. Racking system: consolidated rack by the waiting area outside the courts. Level of play: 3.0 to 4.0 ish. Location: https://share.google/xBegA6w8SZmCihs2W Parking: free parking lot (park in the lot off Kenton by the tennis court rather than the main lot off Oakton) Team Reach code: 060076 (TR group for Skokie but not for Oakton Park specifically) James Park (Evanston) Typical open play times: weekdays and weekends, 8-10 am and 6-8 pm, with additional sessions (including advanced play) scheduled on Team Reach. This will likely evolve as the courts start getting used. Lights: yes. Courts: 15 dedicated courts, with separators, and with one wheelchair accessible court.  Nets are above regulation height.  Racking system: single rack for each court, located outside the playing area. Level of play: TBD, but there are efforts to have advanced open play sessions (see Team Reach). Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/stooar4HEqRAtFri9 Parking: free street parking on Oakton (there is a free parking lot that is much farther away) Team Reach code: JPP60202 Closing remarks Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Minghin Cuisine: https://www.instagram.com/minghinchicago    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

  4. Mar 28

    Pickleball Pro Vivian Glozman Returns

    Howard and Gina catch up with top pickleball professional, Vivian Glozman, in advance of her upcoming visit to Chicago to host some clinics March 31 to April 3. Updates from Vivian Trips to Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam APP tournament in Seattle Experiences touring and giving clinics Dining while traveling One of Vivian’s favorite places, Ba Na Hills Vietnam: https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/10-ways-spend-day-ba-na-hills-danang Upcoming clinics in the Chicago area, see: https://vivianglozman.com/ Howard’s korean bbq recommendation: https://chicago-kalbi.com/ Closing remarks Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Instagram: Vivian: https://www.instagram.com/vivian_glozman/ Vivian and food: https://www.instagram.com/toastwithviv/ Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

  5. Mar 27

    Supr Dupr 4: CEO Tito Machado on the DUPR Reset

    Howard and Gina talk to DUPR CEO Tito Machado, again, about the DUPR Reset.  You can also watch our video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJmE0mzxpEo  DUPR Reset Background, see also https://www.dupr.com/reset Will rating during the Reset be reported? Is your starting rating based on your prior DUPR rating? How is the reliability score determined? Why have a Reset and ignore the prior rating? Does preventing ratings from declining lead to inflation? Closing remarks Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

  6. Feb 10

    Listener Feedback 2: Etiquette

    Howard and Gina continue with listener feedback. We cover additional etiquette questions and discuss a little bit of feedback on DUPR. Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Paddle rack etiquette continued More pickle etiquette Sharing court time on Chicago public courts Retrieving balls from adjacent courts Partner communication Sending the ball back to the other side (between points) Celebrations during play DUPR feedback Differences between male and female DUPRs Playing with partners with lower reliability scores Closing remarks Coaches Corner. Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Bar Games shit talking Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

  7. Jan 20

    Listener Feedback 1: Etiquette

    Howard and Gina finally get around to listener feedback.  We give an update on the challenge court controversy at Grant Park. Then we talk about paddle rack etiquette, how much to mix at open play, and kitchen violations. Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Grant Park challenge court controversy update. Paddle rack etiquette Mixing at open play Kitchen violations Closing remarks Coaches Corner. Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Restaurant reviews Chim Thai Website: https://www.chimthaicuisinetogo.com/ Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2CL24eLpwHMdxtiC9  Block Club Article: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/02/11/chim-thai-cuisine-owner-brings-love-of-home-cooked-authentic-thai-food-to-albany-park/ Central Gyros Website: http://centralgyros.com/ Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/d4TsUjQZWxmWaLH99 Rosita’s Tacos and Cocina (from last time) Website: https://www.rositastacoscocina.com/  Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/da8z6StxxUgdDokL9  Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

  8. 12/22/2025

    The Lob

    Howard and Gina talk about everyone’s favorite shot, the lob.  We talk about our lob journeys, when it’s okay to lob, and Gina gives some coaching tips for lobbing. In the aftershow, we discuss what happened when we finally get started with our bar game olympics challenge. Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Howard and Gina’s lob journeys How to establish a reliable DUPR rating When is it okay to lob Rec play Organized play Tournaments Closing remarks Coaches Corner: tips for lobs Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Howard and Gina start their bar game olympics challenge, with pool Resources: Pickleball Kingdom Waukegan: https://pickleballkingdom.com/clubs/waukegan-il/ Leigh Waters lobbing controversy: https://youtu.be/EKm3UUFP1Eg?si=h6SHOdXKEBGfEjSS  Leigh Waters interview about lobs: https://youtu.be/4IOEOf9FUIw?si=6l95VLcPjGYj-qc6  Anna Bright lobbing: https://youtu.be/ZuNxsZj-yfY?si=V4xwTcuG30xvKiC4  Nick’s Billiard Academy: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCX18d8CBmFppqey6  Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Pickleball Kingdom Waukegan: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballkingdom.waukegan/ and Coach Felix: https://www.instagram.com/coachfelix.pb/ Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

See All (17)

4.8
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

We're two friends in Chicago who love talking about pickleball.

Information

  • Creator
    Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Third Shot Rants

You Might Also Like