How MLB is coming to pickleball's aid

Orange County Cup preview. Pickleball gives kickball the boot.

June 26, 2024

Reflection in life is a good thing. But sometimes we can take it a little too far…

We’ve all been there. Everyone has an off day on the courts but remember, a bad day at the courts is still better than a day without pickleball.

We’re just about two weeks out from the Aloha Pickleball Showdown in Austin, TX. Registration closes soon. Register here.

In This Issue:

🥩 Beefing up paddle certification
🍊Pro pickleball returns to Orange County
🥾 Kickball gets the boot
 

Whoa, we're halfway there.

When to Be Even and When to Be Leaving

Typically, when players stagger in sports, it's a bad thing. In doubles pickleball, it's something you should consider doing more often in your games.

Of course, by stagger, we're not talking about falling over.

Staggering is when one teammate advances to the NVZ line while their partner stays back toward the baseline. Typically, the best time to do this is when one player hits a strong or aggressive third-shot drop. The other player then “releases” to the kitchen line.

In the image below, we can pretend Player B hits the drop shot, allowing Player A to advance to the NVZ line.

This may look like poor positioning since many players are taught to stay even with their partners as they advance.

However, there are several reasons why staggering can help you and your partner.

Staggering applies pressure

Having Player A advance to the kitchen puts more pressure on Player C – who is about to hit the ball. It forces them to hit a more accurate shot no matter where they choose to send it.

Staggering removes an optimal play

Players are taught to aim for their opponent's feet when hitting the ball. Here, Player C is limited because Player A decreased the distance between them, and it's much harder for C to place a ball at A's feet.

If C wants to hit the ball straight ahead, they either have to speed it up or hit more of a finesse shot which would concede the kitchen.

The better option (forced by the stagger) is for C to hit crosscourt toward Player B. However, because B has chosen to stay back, B has more time to react and hit a good reset or drop.

When not to stagger

You only want to stagger when the ball is directly in front of one player, and that player should be the one that moves up while the other stays back.

If the crosscourt player decides to move up, it creates too large of a gap giving your opponent plenty of room to hit a ball into.

Also, if one player hits a terrible third shot, don’t try to stagger either.

Hopefully, understanding this concept of when to be even and when to be leaving helps you win more pickleball matches.

Gear Up with Warstic

Hey Dink Fam, let’s dive into something cool today. Warstic is already a favorite on the pickleball courts, and it’s easy to see why. Their gear isn’t just functional; it’s seriously stylish too.

Take a look at Warstic’s paddles — they’re not only about precision but also pack a real visual punch. Their bags? More than just roomy — they're showpieces that’ll have everyone talking. And the gloves are all about comfort, giving you the grip you need for those clip-worthy shots.

And here’s a tip: use code DINK at checkout for 10% off all their pickleball products. Swing by Warstic’s collection and find gear that matches the boldness of your play.

UPA-A Calling in the Big Guns

One of the first courses of action of the newly formed United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) is the creation of a paddle certification program to employ at UPA-sanctioned events.

The program will rely on the third-party and independent equipment testing organization Pickle Pro Labs (PPL) and The Baseball Research Center at UMass-Lowell.

  • PPL will collaborate with the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, renowned for its work with Major League Baseball on bat and ball testing. The Baseball Research Center was created thanks to a $400,000 grant from Major League Baseball to help resolve the ‘juiced’ baseball controversy in 2000.

Once UPA certification is established, it will be mandatory for all paddles used in United Pickleball Association (UPA) professional events to have the UPA-A certification.

In the meantime, “UPA-A will offer an interim certification program to provide expedited, short-term certification based on Paddle Face Deflection and RPM measurements until the full certification program launches later in 2024.”

Additionally, to provide a wider range of views, UPA-A will be adding representatives from independent paddle brands Volair, ACE and Six Zero to the Equipment Manufacturer Advisory Board.

There is still no official information on what the cost will be to certify paddles. Reports from last week suggested fees that could change the paddle landscape altogether. The UPA-A indicates that updated details of the program will be released in the next 30 days.

Tempers High in Sunny California

Sunshine and 70-degree weather is predicted throughout the Orange County Cup. Despite perfect weather, emotions are already boiling over on the courts. Exhibit A. Exhibit B.

Fed is Back in the Driver’s Seat
Federico Staksrud is once again the No.1 seed in a loaded men’s singles field. Staks is coming off a double gold performance in Sacramento and could be dangerous in men’s doubles again, this time with Matt Wright.

Rohrabacher Jumps in the Singles Mix
Anna Leigh Waters is still the heavy favorite for another women’s singles title, but the race for No. 2 gets more competitive each week. Rachel Rohrabacher will throw her hat in the ring for a chance to play on Sunday.

Newman Changes it Up
Riley Newman is in for another round of the partner shuffle and will look for a winning combination in Orange County. Newman is partnered with Zane Navratil in men’s and Lea Jansen in mixed.

From the Ocho to the Deuce
Look for the special broadcast window on ESPN2 from 8-10 pm ET tonight. Championship Sunday will also be featured on the Tennis Channel from 2-8 pm ET.

Surprise Dink Fam

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Move Over Kickball, There’s a New Sport in D.C.

Somewhere between college and parenthood arrives a temptation to join a local sports league for adults. In the past, that might have resembled a bowling league or slow-pitch softball.

In the nation’s capital, the king of the adult sports league was kickball. That is until pickleball came along and booted it off the throne.

Data from one of the local D.C. sports leagues indicated a 1,450 percent increase in pickleball participation in the past two years. "If I had 30 pickleball courts next to 30 kickball fields, I know pickleball would be filled," says the league’s managing director.

As most of you already know, pickleball is a more convenient and practical option. No one wants to go stand in left field for an hour watching the pitcher bounce their way to a no-hitter.

The switch to pickleball does not mean you have to lose the treasured team camaraderie.

With The Dink Minor League Pickleball events popping up across the country, you and your crew can still keep the custom uniforms and the funny team name. Just switch that nostalgic recess energy from the diamond to the court.

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