The Pickle Talk
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“We no longer welcome you”: the new slogan of open-play pickleball

“We no longer welcome you”: the new slogan of open-play pickleball

PLUS: Controversial San Fran mansion officially SOLD + Target's exclusive 80+ item pickleball launch, announced

Welcome back, picklers

Read time: ~5 min

We open today with some sad, sad news: popular pickleball companies Escalade Sports and PCKL are going head-to-head in court due to patented manufacturing process infringement claims made by Escalade Sports.

Also, after over a year on the market, the controversial, San Francisco mansion has finally sold. I sure do hope the new owners love the hum of pickleball dinks… 🙂‍↔️

Now, on to the newsletter.

How to read The Pickle Talk:

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.
Next, come back and dive into the links that caught your eye.
Last, go play some pickleball and stir up conversations with your newfound knowledge.

Enjoy :)

TODAY’S BANGERS:

Pickle Talk: “We no longer welcome you”: the new slogan of open-play pickleball
Bite-Size Pickle: Another Las Vegas pickleball robbery. San Fran pickleball mansion FINALLY sold. Tinder?. Pickleball.
Golden Pickle: Target releases exclusive 80+ item pickleball line with Prince brand

Let’s get into some... PICKLE TALK 🎙️

“We no longer welcome you”: the new slogan of open-play pickleball

Remember when pickleball was all about including everyone and having some good, relaxing fun with anyone willing to learn and play?

Well, if you’ve been in the pickleball scene lately, let’s just say…There is a huge pickle in the room that no one is talking about, face to face at least.

In a recent chat online, pickleball players all over the United States got real about how local scenes are turning exclusive, or should we say divisive.

Have you noticed? Parks and gyms are getting divvied up by age, skill, gender, race, you name it.

The “all-is-welcome” attitude has been officially faded.

One player up in the Northeast asked the burning question: "Anyone else having a tough time just jumping into a casual game these days?"

Low and behold, the chat revealed a bunch of reasons why open play isn't hitting the mark anymore and how this issue is causing tension between players.

Some players gripe about struggling to find opponents who match their skill level. One person summed it up bluntly: "Open play's a drag when you're waiting forever for a decent match" (Tech157, 2024).

People with more pickleball chop are taking up open courts and don’t want to dedicate time to playing with newbies.

Then there's the whole gender thing.

Female players spoke up about feeling targeted in mixed games. And dealing with partners who are way stronger or weaker?

It's like trying to dance to two different songs at once.

Sure, organized events and special groups have their perks. They offer structure and cater to specific tastes. But are we losing something along the way? The beauty of pickleball used to be its simplicity and openness.

Now… it feels like you need an invite just to hit the court.

Dive Deeper into the Pickleball Phenomenon

Let's break it down further. Why is it so hard to just grab a paddle and play?

Skill-Level Struggles: Imagine you're itching for a game, but everyone around you is either way too good or barely starting out. It's like trying to find Goldilocks' perfect match: neither too tough nor too easy.

The Gender Game: Mixed games can be a minefield. Female players often find themselves dodging balls aimed straight at them, while their male partners stand by, feeling left out. It's not exactly the doubles dance they signed up for.

Pet Peeves: Pet lovers-only sessions? Yep, that's a thing. Suddenly, your furry friend dictates your court time. Who knew your pup would become a pickleball influencer?

The Rise of Exclusive Clubs: From "Over 50s Only" to "Advanced Players Club," pickleball is starting to feel like a members-only affair. It's cool if you're in the club, but what about the rest of us who just want to hit a few balls?

BITE-SIZE PICKLES

🥒 Three people allegedly stole $5,000 worth of items from a Las Vegas pickleball store located near Fort Apache Road and Tropicana Avenue. Store manager Conrad Corona described how surveillance footage captured the group entering the store, with one person engaging in conversation while the others quickly stuffed about 15 pickleball paddles into their clothes. They specifically targeted the store's most expensive paddles. Corona suspects this was part of an organized theft operation, citing similar incidents at other pickleball stores. Game-Set-Match has since beefed up security and reported the incident to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

🥒 Karl Peterson, co-founder of Hotwire, is close to selling his Presidio Heights home in San Francisco after it spent nearly a year on the market. Originally listed for $36 million and later reduced to $29 million due to concerns about nearby pickleball court noise affecting the sale, the property is now pending at its lowered price.

If the sale closes within $5 million of the asking amount, it will be San Francisco's highest-priced transaction of the year. The Petersons, who bought the home for $16.65 million in 2013 and invested $10 million in renovations, added a private pickleball court to the property, sparking controversy among local players.

🥒 Pickleball courts in New York City have become unexpected hotspots for Gen Z and millennials seeking more than just a game. Players like Sara Buffone and Yael Yonah have found romance while competing, with pickleball offering a friendly and casual atmosphere conducive to chatting and flirting. Danielle G. and others have also met their partners on the courts, sparking interest among single friends eager to pick up a paddle and potentially meet someone special. So where’s it all going down? While some take the sport more seriously at Sixth Avenue and Houston, others enjoy a more relaxed vibe at West Village courts like James J Walker Park. Pickleball's social appeal extends to Pier 2 in Dumbo, where players rotate and socialize throughout the day. Beat that Tinder. :)