The Dark Side: Love, affairs, and other balls

Welcome back, picklers

Read time: ~5 min

The courts can be a messy place, on and off the courts. Exhibit A 👆🏼.

So while we are on the topic, why not continue and talk about a peculiar side of pickleball that not many people think about: the intimate side?

Let's get into this week’s newsletter.

How to read The Pickle Talk:

1. First, don’t click any links just yet. Read it all the way through, and then send it to a friend you think might benefit too.

2. Next, come back and dive into the links that caught your eye.

3. Last, go play some pickleball and stir up conversations with your newfound knowledge.

Enjoy :)

TODAY’S BANGERS:

• Pickle Talk: Love, Affairs & Other Balls

• Bite-Size Pickle: Baseball’s pickleball: pacoball. Canada’s new turkey sponsor. Andre Agassi leads LifeTime Fitness pickleball.

• Golden Pickle: How do you deal with cheaters on the court?

Let’s get into some... PICKLE TALK 🎙️

Love, Affairs & Other Balls 👀

I don’t know about you, but whether or not you think the headline is a bit vulgar, it is such a good introduction to a topic that hit this week’s social media pages. (pat on the back)

In case you didn’t see it, the Toronto Star, one of Canada’s leading digital news channels, highlighted an anonymous Q&A session with advice columnist Lisi Tesher.

The question that caught many people’s attention touched on a subject that many people in relationships fear:

Affairs.

In case you missed it, here’s a quick bit about what the Asker submitted to Lisa:

• The husband (the asker) & the wife’s sister suspect his wife is having an emotional affair with her pickleball coach.

• The wife's increased pickleball coaching, including private lessons twice a week, raises suspicions.

• The writer surprises his wife during a coaching session and observes concerning interactions.

• The wife denies everything when confronted by the writer and her sister.

The context is not all there for us to judge, and potentially, the husband could be overreacting big time.

But this Q&A got me thinking: I wonder if there have been other instances where pickleball has tested the relationships of other couples.

Now, that would be interesting to read up on and share with you.

So… I decided to do a deep dive into this. And you wouldn't believe what I found. 

On Reddit, I found this conversation about a husband & a wife who get along off the court, but when playing pickleball, chaos ensues.

The advice is all over the place. Some people say they need to talk it over maturely after each game, while others suggest that playing with your partner isn’t an option if you want your relationship to last.

My favorite comment:

To make it even more interesting, the New York Post also highlighted a column named “Dear Abby”, where similar to the Toronto Star, readers can submit questions.

This one was from a different point of view: the reader is single but has a crush on his pickleball partner, who is married and doesn't know what to do.

The advice itself was pretty neutral: to respect that she is married & continue playing with her as long as both are still comfortable with it and it doesn’t cross any lines.

It is quite interesting to see the dichotomy of pickleball, how something that is supposed to bring us all together is, in turn, also turning people against each other and showing people’s true colors.

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear them down in the comments section.

If you have any anecdotes of your own, please submit them to [email protected].

What a great way to end the Month of L.O.V.E, huh?

*BITE-SIZE* PICKLES

1/ ➜ Happenings: Pickleball + Baseball = “Pacoball”

Amidst spring training, the Philadelphia Phillies trade their baseball gear for pickleball paddles in a quirky game known as Pacoball. Led by outfield coach Paco Figueroa, it's not just a fun diversion—it's a strategic move to boost agility, teamwork, and communication, all essential skills for outfield play.

Initially skeptical, players like Jake Cave are surprised by the game's benefits. While the rules evolve, emphasizing glove-hand practice and coordination, some players, like Kyle Schwarber, find themselves struggling to keep up. But Figueroa remains steadfast, focusing on quickness and confidence, mirroring his outfield training methods.

As they dive deeper into Pacoball, camaraderie blossoms, and friendly competition ignites, injecting a playful vibe into their preseason grind. It's not just about winning games—it's about building a winning team, one paddle swing at a time.

***

2/ ➜ Happenings: Pickleball and Turkey, A Match Made for Canadian Players

Pickleball Canada teams up with Think Turkey as its official protein partner for the 2024 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship.

With over 1.4 million Canadians now into pickleball, the partnership aims to promote the sport's health benefits alongside turkey's nutritional value.

Interesting partnership? For sure. But with pickleball being promoted as a healthy lifestyle sport, it all makes sense.

***

3/ ➜ Happenings: Tennis Legend, Andre Agassi, Leads Pickleball Charge at Life Time Fitness

Life Time Fitness, sensing the pulse of the rapidly growing racket sports scene, has tapped tennis legend Andre Agassi as the inaugural chair of its Pickleball and Tennis Board. His mission? To ignite the passion for racket sports among players of all ages and skill levels.

Agassi aims to expand accessibility, community, and programming across Life Time's 130 clubs, boasting over 600 courts nationwide.

GOLDEN PICKLES

🎫 What type of pickleball player are you? (based on your zodiac sign)

🎫 WATCH: Marshawn Lynch (ex-NFL star) plays pickleball for the 1st time. The smile says it all.

🎫 FILL IT OUT: The University of Michigan’s public study about why pickleball is so popular and what is influencing it

🎫 Discussion: How to deal with cheaters?

🎫 A favorite paddle amongst double-handed backhand players

ICYMI…. (the most popular article yet)

Snap Shots 📸 of the Week

No pickle left unturned 🥳

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Thanks for reading!

Until next time, picklers.

Jonathan W.