When Carl Schmits talks about spin rates and exit velocity, one might initially assume he’s actually referring to baseball pitchers and hitters.
However, the surprising twist is that he’s actually discussing the intricacies of pickleball paddles. As the managing director of equipment standards and facilities development at USA Pickleball, Schmits, alongside his colleagues in the Equipment and Evaluation Committee (EEC), approaches their duties with utmost dedication.
A Level Playing Field
“Our objectives, of course, are to uphold, inform, and enforce the objectives that our board (of directors) drives,” says Schmits, who has an extensive engineering and product development background.
“Our board is tasked with ensuring that there’s fair play, that it’s a level playing field out there for both players and manufacturers and, ultimately, the maintenance of the game’s nature and integrity.”
As USA Pickleball explains, the sport has undergone significant transformations since its inception in the 1960s, with advances in equipment keeping pace with its rocketing popularity. Schmits, drawing from his own experience as a former racquetball player turned pickleball enthusiast, highlights the importance of cautious progress:
“We’re a fast-growing industry,” said Schmits, a former high-level racquetball player with over a decade of experience in pickleball, too. “Making right-hand turns too quickly, or major pivots, can have a significant ripple effect, so we do what’s achievable. And another important point is, what’s affordable?
“No Sudden Moves”
“In our role, we make no sudden moves. We have to be data-driven and then truly understand what the ramifications of a rule change might be so that we limit unintended consequences.”
In a sport where the once-basic wooden paddles have given way to sophisticated, high-tech models made of molded resin, priced at over $200, the evolution is undeniable.
“More exotic materials are being used,” notes Schmits. “We are seeing that result in higher-priced equipment.
“If you’re very active in the sport, you know that there’s been a trend over the last couple years of an increasing number of paddles using a molded-resin surface. We see probably 50 percent of paddles now have that type of molded-resin surface, also referred to as ‘raw carbon.’”
Regulations Were Largely Subjective
Schmits explained that prior to the formation of the EEC in 2015, pickleball’s regulations were largely subjective. However, the committee, in collaboration with independent labs like National Technical Systems (NTS), has since embraced a research-driven approach, providing evidence-based recommendations to the USA Pickleball Board.
“That was a quantum leap above where we were before,” emphasizes Schmits. “As time went on, we wanted to layer in more objective tests, which are data-driven with measurable specifications.”
As the sport continues to grow, the committee evaluates numerous factors, including the surge of manufacturers eager to enter the market.
“But it’s something that everyone wants,” Schmits says about his committee’s work. “We’re not mandating directions. It’s basically being driven by new materials, by new configurations.
“In 2019, we started to see the introduction of new textures and new coatings in the sport. There’s been continued innovation in that area requiring the introduction of a new standard.”
Upholding The Sport’s Integrity
Anticipating industry trends, the EEC endeavors to implement appropriate tests and standards to maintain relevance and uphold the sport’s integrity.
“Our two main concerns are power and spin,” he said. “Our labs have a significant experience in sports engineering. They’ve got a fairly broad suite of customers. It includes those in the sporting industry. They’ve got considerable experience in this space.”
The committee and the labs use a variety of high-tech equipment, such as radar and high-frame-rate cameras.
“We scaled up a number of things,” says Schmits. “We’re really trying to increase our capabilities in terms of understanding the physics of the sport.”
Safeguarding The Integrity Of The Sport
Schmits acknowledged the interconnected nature of equipment advancements and the evolving caliber of athletes attracted to the sport.
“I think there’s been two huge vectors that have helped change the game over the last few years,” he says. “One of them’s definitely equipment. The other vector I was talking about is, frankly, the profile of the athletes.”
Throughout its efforts, the committee has kept its promise of safeguarding the integrity of the sport despite its burgeoning popularity.
“What we’ve seen is with higher spin rates comes the ability to hit harder and still keep (the ball) in court,” Schmits said. “We are dealing with a fixed chunk of real estate.
“I think we found a good balance there with the specifications and test standards put in place. We’re acutely aware that we need to stay on top of that, with the development of new standards to address increasing power.”
