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Pickleball enters its litigious era

Pickleball enters its litigious era

Put your opponent on ice. Results from day one in D.C.

June 14, 2024

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Alright, this one is a no-brainer. Plenty of hokey, pickle-related products have hit the market since pickleball took over the world, but this is not one of them.

Selkirk pranked their followers on April Fool’s Day by advertising new Jack Sock athletic socks. Fans were fooled by the post and tried to actually purchase the socks.

Enough so, that Selkirk made it happen. You can now rock official “Jack Socks” on the court.

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In This Issue:

🧑‍⚖️ The suit is officially on
🏆 Day one from D.C.
🎙️ Weighing in on a wild week

Big Friday Energy!

Ice the Game

In most sports, timeouts are the strategic pause that ices kickers, disrupts rhythm, and messes with the minds of opponents. For pickleball, it’s all about controlling the momentum.

Pro player Alex Neumann took to Instagram to share his thoughts on when to use timeouts during matches.

Scenario #1: When Your Opponents Get on a Hot Streak

So, your opponents have rattled off a few quick points. They're feeling good, maybe too good, strutting around the court like they own the place. It's the perfect time to hit the pause button on their little parade.

Calling a timeout here isn’t just about catching your breath; it’s about throwing a wrench in their momentum.

It's about cooling those hot hands and maybe even sparking a debate between them on what they're doing right (or about to do wrong).

Scenario #2: When You’re Running a Down Streak

Flip the script. Now you’re the one with the series of mishaps—balls sailing out, shots hitting the net.

It's a slippery slope, and your game is sliding down it. Time for a timeout.

This isn’t surrender; it’s strategic regrouping. Use this as a mental reset. Take deep breaths, realign your strategy, maybe swap a quick joke to lighten the mood. Try to force yourself to really calm down and remind yourself that the match isn't over until the last point is played.

Bonus Scenario #3: Get Offensive

A growing trend in pickleball is to use your timeouts offensively, meaning your team is serving. Maybe you’re stuck on match point, sometimes the 11th point can be the hardest to win.

Take a timeout. The added time to think can cause the opponent to get tight and provide the opening you need to close the match.

Sure you can’t use timeouts in rec play, but chances are you have your eye on an upcoming Minor League Pickleball event. And in team events, a timeout gives your whole team a chance to regroup, rethink, and potentially rattle your opponents.

Use them wisely, and watch how a simple pause can change the pace and possibly the outcome of your game.

Surprise Dink Fam

Are you tired of scouring the web for the latest pickleball gear?

Wish someone would just send it straight to your doorstep? Your pickleball fairy godmother has arrived. Pickleball’s #1 subscription box is here.

With The Essentials Box or The Pro Box, you'll score a bunch of pickleball gear without breaking the bank. We got a good deal for the Dink fam. Go and use code DINK25 to receive 25% off your first box.

This Means War

Last Friday we told you about the class action lawsuit that could be headed in JOOLA’s direction. This week, JOOLA filed a lawsuit of its own.

The standoff between JOOLA and USA Pickleball has escalated to new heights. In a statement released yesterday, JOOLA indicated that they have officially filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Maryland.

It is still unclear which specific test the JOOLA paddles failed causing them to be removed from the USAP-approved equipment list.

JOOLA contends that the paddles submitted were “materially and structurally the same as those approved by USAP in September 2023”
But there still remains the question of the self-admitted “administrative error” from JOOLA that caused the paddles to be de-listed on May 16th

Selkirk chimed in yesterday, urging equipment manufacturers and the general pickleball community to support USAP's effort to enforce the current rules.

Follow along at thedinkpickleball.com to see how the drama unfolds.

Day One from the Nation’s Capital

Major League Pickleball kicked off the D.C. event yesterday with Challenger Level matches. Four of the five matches were completed with two reaching a DreamBreaker. The fifth was postponed due to “darkness concerns” and will resume today.

First Wins of the Year
The Atlanta Bouncers and Las Vegas Night Owls both scooped up their first wins of the 2024 season. After one day, the Bouncers’ Jaume Martinez Vich and Todd Fought, sit atop the player standings.

Winless Thursday
On the other side of the coin, the Brooklyn Aces and California Black Bears both went winless (0-2) on the day. The Aces entered the event third in the standings.

Fan Ejection
Late in the women’s doubles game between the Aces and Night Owls, a fan was ejected from the event. The spectator in the stands began yelling that the ref was in a poor position to make the call - if you're a fan of baseball references you can watch the full incident here.

Premier Matches Start Today
Yesterday was just an appetizer for the weekend ahead. Today's full slate includes six Premier Level matches, including a first look at the Carolina Pickleball Club (with Ben Johns) and Utah Black Diamonds.

Find out where to watch the event and see the full match schedule here.

Simplify Your Meals

We've been thinking about ways to help you spend less time shopping and more time playing. That’s why we want to talk about ButcherBox—a service we genuinely think could simplify your meal prep and lifestyle.

Imagine having top-notch meats like bone-in chicken thighs, top sirloin steaks, or salmon delivered right to your door. This means no more stressful grocery store visits and more time on the court.

Plus, here’s a sweet deal: with every new subscription, you’ll get your choice of chicken, sirloin, or salmon for free in every box for one year! And if you sign up between June 13th and 18th, you’ll also get $60 off across your first three boxes.

We know finding quality meat at a good price can be a hassle. ButcherBox makes it not only possible but convenient. Check out the offer and power up your pickleball game with ButcherBox!

Hot Paddles, Hotter Mics, Pickleball’s Wildest Fault

It’s been a wild week in the world of pickleball. Thomas and Zane weigh in on the class action lawsuit growing in Florida, Ben Johns’ hot mic situation, and the strangest fault we have ever seen on a pickleball court.

The guys give their predictions for MLP Washington DC and share who they think might catch up with the St Louis Shock. Tune into an all-new PicklePod here.