Just off 52nd Street and Broadmoor Avenue in Kentwood—between the bustling 28th Street Corridor and the steady stream of travelers heading to Gerald R. Ford International Airport—a bold, new concept in social entertainment has made its mark.
Welcome to Dinks & Dingers: The Eat and Play Social Club.
This isn’t just a place to grab a drink after work or break a sweat playing the nation’s fastest-growing sport. It’s a state-of-the-art indoor (and soon, outdoor) facility where anyone—yes, anyone—can come to play, spectate, dine, and unwind. No membership required. No experience necessary. No pressure.
Whether you’re swinging a paddle, tossing a Wiffle ball, or sipping a Pickletini while catching the action from the sidelines, Dinks & Dingers is as much about community as it is about competition.
The Man Behind the Movement
The visionary behind Dinks & Dingers is Andy Anderson, a Grand Rapids-area entrepreneur with what most would consider an unconventional path to club ownership.
Trained as a civil engineer at Marquette University, Andy spent more than 15 years in the information and technology space in engineering sales management. Then, he made a rare move—he stepped away from the corporate ladder to become a full-time stay-at-home dad to his sons, Tommie and Isaac.
During that chapter, Andy didn’t idle. He went back to school, earning a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary in Holland and a Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University. He served part-time as a school social worker and associate pastor. But just as he prepared to take a position at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, life pivoted again—his wife, Becky Anderson, was diagnosed with cancer.
Andy pressed pause, cared for Becky, and began writing what would eventually become the business plan for Dinks & Dingers.
Thankfully, Becky is now cancer-free—and Dinks & Dingers is not just an idea, but a thriving social and recreational venue redefining what it means to “eat and play” in greater Grand Rapids.
Meet the Other Half of This Power Couple
Becky Anderson isn’t just Andy’s partner in marriage—she’s his only business partner in Dinks & Dingers. A nationally recognized financial advisor and principal with Edward Jones, Becky has spent more than two decades helping individuals, families, and business owners reach their financial goals. With accolades from Forbes and an active role in charitable organizations like Gilda’s LaughFest and YoungLife, Becky is a community leader in her own right.
Their combined skills—his creativity and community-mindedness, her financial acumen and professionalism—are the foundation behind Dinks & Dingers’ early success.
What’s in a Name?
The name “Dinks & Dingers” says it all—if you know a bit of pickleball and baseball lingo. A dink is a soft, strategic shot in pickleball that just clears the net, while a dinger is a baseball term for a home run. It’s playful, clever, and perfectly reflects the club’s spirit.
Andy became obsessed (his words) with pickleball during the pandemic, playing frequently with Becky and their sons. He competed in tournaments like the Beer City Open and noticed a void: while pickleball is wildly social, there was no true “third place” for players to gather, relax, and socialize after a match—especially during Michigan’s long winters.
The Wiffle Ball concept came next. One night, Andy found his son watching Major League Wiffle Ball on YouTube. Inspired, and drawing from his own experience as a travel baseball coach, he saw a second gap: adults and kids alike needed a fun, indoor way to play baseball-style games year-round. And so the “Dinger” half of the name—and the vision—was born.
Phase I of Dinks and Dingers officially opened in July 2025 with a ribbon-cutting that brought out city officials, local athletes, and curious Grand Rapidians. And it’s easy to see why the excitement is justified.
Inside the facility:
- Six professional-grade indoor pickleball courts — individually fenced, with courtside high-top seating for spectators and players.
- A full-size, regulation indoor Wiffle Ball field — the only one of its kind in the entire country.
- A modern, casual American restaurant and full bar — featuring cleverly named dishes like “Dingers Original Smash” and “Let It Be” BLT, alongside cocktails like the Pickletini, the Dinks Cosmo, and the Grand Slam.
- Game lounge — with foosball, ping pong, air hockey, cornhole, and classic board games.
- Second-story corporate and event space — seating up to 100 people for meetings, team-building events, parties, and more.
- Tech-forward courts — equipped with PlaySight video technology for training, instant replay, and tournament broadcasts.
And that’s just the beginning. Phase II will bring four more indoor courts, and Phase III will introduce four covered outdoor courts and a landscaped outdoor social area with seasonal seating and games like shuffleboard and outdoor cornhole.
It’s Not Just for Athletes—It’s for Everyone
One of the most striking things about Dinks& Dingers is its accessibility. Yes, it’s a dream for the pickleball-obsessed and Wiffle Ball die-hards. But it’s also perfect for:
Lunch breaks: Grab a burger, bring a client, and enjoy a non-traditional networking space.
Post-work meetups: Meet your spouse for a cocktail and a quick doubles match.
Weekend family outings: Kids can play; parents can watch or join in.
Corporate events: Custom packages offer meeting space, catered food, and fun, low-pressure team sports.
Date nights: A little friendly competition followed by dinner and drinks? Yes, please.
You don’t need to know how to hold a paddle or swing a bat. Just bring your appetite—for food, fun, or both.
A Strategic Location with Big Community Vision
Located just a mile north of M-6 and a few minutes from the airport, Dinks & Dingers is perfectly positioned for both local guests and out-of-town visitors. The Andersons intentionally chose this spot to complement the growth happening in Kentwood, which has embraced the growing popularity of pickleball, with a planned expansion at Covenant Park and other recreational offerings in the works. Dinks & Dingers aligns perfectly with this momentum, adding a unique and exciting experience to the region’s thriving pickleball scene. “We didn’t just build a sports facility. We built a community space—one that’s fun, flexible, and open to everyone,” says Andy.
More Than a Venue — It’s a Lifestyle
At its core, it’s built on something simple: connection. “I’ve always loved gathering people,” says Andy. “Whether through church, sports, or just good conversation—this place is about people coming together, rain or shine.”
So whether you go to dink, drink, hit a dinger, or just enjoy a killer smash burger and a local craft beer, Dinks & Dingers is more than a place to experience pickleball, it’s a place to connect with others and have fun while you exercise — and after!
