Third Shot Rants

Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
  • 4.8 (33)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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

  1. 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

    1h 2m

  2. 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

    37 min

  3. 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

    52 min

  4. 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

    55 min

  5. 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

    57 min

  6. 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

    55 min

  7. 11/24/2025

    Supr Dupr 3: Advice

    Howard and Gina can’t stop talking about DUPR even though Howard doesn’t even have a DUPR. We give our best DUPR advice, including some thoughts about what to watch out for in a partner. (It’s not what you might think.) Also, please buy our merch, even though we don’t make any money from it. Third Shot Rants Merch Shop, free shipping until Monday Dec 1 with code THANKYOU25: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Life without a DUPR How to establish a reliable DUPR rating Strategic DUPR tips Don’t fixate on a numerical goal Don’t play too early in your pickle journey Women should think about whether to play in open gender groups Don’t stay in the same biome Play up in tournaments Every point counts If you think you’re underrated, don’t play with a low reliability score partner Closing remarks Coaches Corner: tips for drops Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Howard and Gina’s birthdays Resources: Third Shot Rants Merch Shopfree shipping until Monday Dec 1 with code THANKYOU25: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants DUPR: https://www.dupr.com/ 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  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    1h 1m

  8. 11/03/2025

    Supr Dupr 2: CEO Tito Machado

    Howard and Gina interview DUPR CEO Tito Machado. Tito announces news about DUPR subscores that are coming soon. And we talk to Tito about the new algorithm and whether DUPR ratings are comparable across gender, age, and geography. We also announce our Third Shot Rants merch shop!   Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Feedback on the new algorithm Are DUPR ratings universal across gender, age, and geography? New DUPR feature: subscore ratings by gender and age Closing remarks Coaches Corner: tips for drop shots Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Howard and Gina’s Halloween plans   Resources: Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants DUPR CEO Tito Machado: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilberto-tito-machado-19004670 DUPR: https://www.dupr.com/ 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: Tito Machado: https://www.instagram.com/titomachado.dupr 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

    1h 8m
See All (15)

4.8
out of 5
33 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
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Third Shot Rants

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