Browsing: Pickleball News

Following the conclusion of Season One for Major League Pickleball (MLP) with the recent Super Finals, the world of pickleball is hyped to jump right back in for more. This Wednesday, Season Two of MLP kicks off with its player draft, where the league’s 24 Premier and Challenger Level teams will be setting their 4-player rosters. There’s still a lot to process from Season One, and pro pickleball fans are still getting acclimated to the exciting new team-play format. Plus, this is a big year for the MLP, as the total results from both seasons will be instrumental in setting…

Township Volunteers are holding children’s pickleball clinics at Fasola tennis courts in Gloucester, NJ. Fasola Park The Deptford Parks and Recreation Department is currently hosting pickleball clinics for kids in Deptford Memorial Park – also known as Fasola Park. This is the second consecutive year for the clinics, which teach kids pickleball basics, like the rules, how to hold and handle a paddle properly, and how to serve. “We offered a four-week program last year, and this year is even better,” said recreation director Charles Kirchner. “We have it for kids between 8 to 12 years old. Last year, we…

One of the greatest assets of pickleball aside from the physical and emotional benefits is its accessibility to virtually anyone, including people with disabilities. Sandy Halkett discovered this when she took up the sport in 2018. Halkett, an LPGA Certified Class A golf pro for over 25 years, was first introduced to pickleball in 2016. Born in Florida and now residing in South Carolina, she played a number of sports growing up. Halkett didn’t take up golf until college, but took to it quickly. She loved playing, but wanted something resembling soccer or basketball, sports that were more active. “Golf…

It looks like the pickleball bug has definitely bitten one of Hollywood’s premier power couples. Singer Jennifer López and actor Ben Affleck spent the Independence Day holiday out in the Hamptons and were snapped enjoying a game of pickleball on a public court in Sag Harbor. A Strictly Casual Affair TMZ reported it was a strictly casual affair, with only one of the high-profile pair appearing to take the game too seriously: “Let’s just say Jen looked a little more engaged (and dressed for the occasion) than her hubby. She’s out there in straight-up tennis gear, and Ben’s in… jeans…

MLP by Margaritaville (MLP) has reported two new additions to their League Executive Leadership Team. Chief Executive Officer Julio DePietro and Chief Operating Officer Bruce Popko will form a dynamic unit using their combined knowledge of media, sports business, and finance to bring increased revenue, attract new audiences, and take the game to a different level. “Another Landmark Step Forward” “The additions of Julio and Bruce signify another landmark step forward in the evolution of Major League Pickleball,” said MLP Founder Steve Kuhn. “They bring an incredible pedigree, leadership ability, and valued perspective to MLP and the sport of pickleball.…

Florida is home to Naples, the pickleball capital of the world, and that buzz has spread to Miami, where the sport has caught on in a big way. Now Miami is making its own statement by organizing an on-the-water extravaganza that looks like it will be the world’s largest pickleball competition! The Pickle Games The inaugural “Pickle Games” will be played on up to 100 bayfront courts at Miami’s Marine Stadium in early 2024. The Games will happen over the weekend of January 13 and 14. They will host professional and novice-level competitions, in addition to live music, curated food…

A significant Albany milestone was reached last Friday when officials opened the doors to its first-ever pickleball facility. Capital Hills Golf Course The Capital Hills Golf Course now houses a state-of-the-art development with four courts. Commissioner of the Department of Recreation Jonathan Jones announced the courts would be accessible to the public every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Games will be limited to approximately 60 minutes to ensure fair play and accommodate more players. Interested individuals must make a reservation in advance, which can be done online by scanning the designated signage at the park. “We have a…

Last weekend’s APP Newport Beach Open was the largest in tournament history, with over 1,400 pro and amateur players having participated. It was the largest APP event we’ve ever seen and had some record-setting moments from the tour’s top pros. Parris Todd achieved her second-ever triple crown, winning in all three of her events, women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, and becoming the first woman in APP history to achieve multiple triple crowns. It was fitting for it to happen in her hometown of Newport Beach, where Todd first started playing racket sports. “It’s been amazing to be back…

“Pickleball will be bigger than golf in 5 years.” So says Hank Haney, one of the most famous golf coaches in the world. Coach Of Tiger Woods Hank is a professional golf instructor best known for having coached Tiger Woods. He now owns and operates a golf instruction business and is still considered one of the best coaches in the world. Haney has also added pickleball to the repertoire of sports he participates in. He has become a pickleball addict and even has a personal court in his backyard. Haney was a guest on his friend Tyson McGuffin’s The McGuffin…

According to Bob Fry, one of over 2,000 “ambassadors” working with the USA Pickleball organization to promote and expand the sport, the popularity of pickleball is on the rise in and around Green Bay. “Do You See Them Playing Tennis? No.” Fry, who has played for 13 years, noted that the sport has experienced significant growth in this area of Wisconsin over the past 5 to 7 years. As he says: “Drive around to tennis courts in the area – do you see people playing tennis? No, but you do see them playing pickleball.” In fact, Green Bay City Council…