This Player Was 32 Weeks Pregnant and Still Serving Heat at The Dink Minor League Pickleball

This past weekend, Miami wasn't just sizzling with some of the hottest temperatures of the year; the courts were on fire too.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball rolled through town for another weekend of team-based chaos, and this one had it all.

Returning players from the 2024 The Dink MiLP National Championships, nail-biters on championship court, and one incredibly inspiring story out of the DUPR 16 division.

Meet Team Ready to Drop.

No, that’s not a pun. We mean that literally. One of their players, Barbara Sabates, is 32 weeks pregnant.

And she’s out here BALLING.

Team Ready to Drop nearly punched their ticket to the playoffs but came up just short. Still, Barbara’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. She held her own through the Florida heat and a full day of matches, all while being just eight weeks out from giving birth.

We’re not saying you need to play MiLP pregnant, but if Barbara can do it, you can probably dust off your paddle and get out there too.

This Is Why The Dink MiLP Hits Different

The Dink Minor League Pickleball format is built for moments like this. Real people, real teams, real competition.

No rankings required, just a DUPR and a crew of four. It gives players across the country a shot at structured, meaningful, and fun competition.

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Want to Play Nationals? Here’s How.

You can’t just show up to The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship. You have to earn your spot.

There are two paths:

1. Local The Dink MiLP Tournaments: Like the one we just hosted in Miami. Every win racks up points on the National Leaderboard, and the top teams qualify for Nationals.

2. State Championships & Regional Showdowns: Win one of these and you’ll earn a Dream Ticket, which is an automatic invite to Nationals. No leaderboard points required.

Want in? Find your squad and register to play. Because if Barbara can do it 32 weeks pregnant, what’s stopping you?