Rettenmaier: "You're all culpable, all of you cheated"

Win or go home in Grand Rapids. Prison pickleball expansion.

July 12, 2024

Who has a better reaction time, a pro pickleball player or an Indy Car Driver?

Pro pickleballers have about 0.3 seconds to react during a firefight, but we’re still putting our money on the one driving 200+ mph with their life on the line.

Rachel Rohrabacher got a taste of the fast life at the Indy 200 last weekend. She took a spin with Pato O’Ward, who went on to win the race at Mid-Ohio.

"The lap was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced - it was a huge adrenaline rush, and I was kind of bummed when the lap ended so quickly,” Rachel said. “I would've stayed on for a good portion of the race if they let me!”

In This Issue:

👌 A simple drill to improve your overhead
🍺 $200K is on the line in Beer City
🚓 Pickleball rehabilitation effort

Wave the checkered flag on this week.

Launch it Like a Pro

In Wednesday's newsletter, we shared tips on making your opponents hit tougher shots, but today we're turning the tables.

It's time to power up your own game with a mighty and unreturnable overhead. Selkirk pro player James Ignatowich is here to help, and you might be surprised to learn that his go-to drill doesn’t even need a paddle.

Grab a pickleball and head to the kitchen line. Your mission is simple: throw the ball so that it bounces at the opposing kitchen line. This drill might sound straightforward, but it's a great way to mimic the motion needed for a powerful overhead smash.

For players without a tennis background, understanding the dynamics of an overhead shot can be tricky. Think of it as similar to throwing a ball: it's about aim, force, and precision.

The key here is to make sure your throw translates into a smash that sends the ball sharply downward across the net — not over the fence!

One way to help you visualize the throw is placing targets on the opposing kitchen line.

  • Aim those throws and hit those targets

  • Use your shoulders and core to generate the power like you would a real overhead

  • Accelerate through the motion to supply pace

The more you throw, the better your body will remember the motion, making it second nature when you reintroduce the paddle.

So, next time you’re at the court, grab a bucket of balls, stand tall at the kitchen line, and throw that ball down to the opposing side.

Precision Meets Style

Having the right gear can be just as crucial as having the right partner. That’s where Warstic comes into play. They have just the thing to help you dominate the courts: the WSPB3E ELITE paddle.

Featuring a sleek white design with striking black stripes reminiscent of a landing strip, the Pro Standard Elite is built to help you land your shots with precision and power. Warstic also offers some awesome gear, like their stylish and roomy pickleball bags along their comfortable pickleball gloves that’ll give you a better grip and boost your game.

Check out Warstic’s collection and discover why the Pro Standard Elite might just be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. Make sure to promo code DINK at checkout to get 10% off your purchase.

Win or Go Home at Mid-Season Tournament

There are no second chances this weekend in Grand Rapids. If you lose once you can kiss first place goodbye.

No Dreambreakers Necessary
Surprisingly enough, yesterday there were no Dreambreakers in the four Premier Level matches. Each team that won took care of business on the doubles court and either won in a 3-0 sweep or 3-1.

Glozman Ready for Premier
Vivian Glozman was traded up from the Challenger Level to Premier last month. She held her own as D.C. rolled to a 3-0 victory over the Utah Black Diamonds. A slightly frustrated Jay Devilliers woke up the crowd with this missile fired at James Ignatowich.

The Ranchers take down the Carolina PB Club
One of the best games of the day saw the Johns brothers taking on Christian Alshon and Quang Duong in men’s doubles. The match got tight down the stretch and The Ranchers pulled out an unexpected 28-26 win.

The momentum carried over into mixed as Alshon and Etta Wright defeated Ben Johns and Jessie Irvine to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Four Teams Left at the Challenger Level
The Challenger bracket has been narrowed down to four teams. The two semifinal matches today will decide who plays in the Challenger Level final on Sunday.

Challenger Level Semifinals
Las Vegas Night Owls vs Atlanta Bouncers
California Black Bears vs Brooklyn Aces

"It was a foot inside the line!"

As you know by now, line calls are one of the most controversial aspects of pickleball. Even at the rec level, nothing will create a feud faster than questionable line calls.

Wednesday’s match between the California Black Bears and Florida Smash saw one of the most controversial calls of the year. Unfortunately due to rain, the matches were played indoors so the new Close Call Replay system was not available.

The Smash were up 2-1 in the match and the score was tied 17-17 in game four when the call occurred. The beneficiaries of the call, the Black Bears, went on to win that game, 27-25, and eventually the match in the subsequent Dreambreaker.

One call certainly did not decide the entire outcome of the match considering that game was later tied at 25-25. But in sports, a moment like that is tough to get over. Smash owner Travis Rettenmaier called out the Black Bears here.

There are at least two takeaways here:
1. If you don’t see a ball land out, then you should call it in. It’s part of your job to turn your head in time to see the ball land out.

2. Composure is huge in these moments. Bad line calls are a huge part of the game. You need to stay level-headed and not let it lead to more mistakes.

Possibly 3. Don’t tell anyone we told you this but it’s impossible to have a bad line call on a bodybag. Just saying.

Winning Summer Starts Here

Got plans to hit the courts this summer? Let’s make sure you’re all set with the Pickleball Box. It’s your summer survival pack for the game.

Inside, you’ll find Tifosi's SWANK sports glasses to keep those harmful rays out of your eyes and help you spot the ball better under the glaring sun. You’ll also get a Dink-branded hat and T-shirt that aren’t only stylish but also save your skin from UV rays.

And because we know how games can get intense, there’s Jelly Belly Sports Beans to keep your energy up, and Jigsaw Health's Pickleball Cocktail to keep you hydrated — sip it chilled from the cool Ice Shaker we’ve thrown in. Oh, and for those scorcher days? There’s a MISSION cooling towel in there to bring the temp down a notch after a hot match.

Really, the Pickleball Box has got you covered for a perfect summer on the courts. Grab one today and keep the focus on your game, not on gathering gear.

Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League

The Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League (PICL) is gaining traction in multiple states. PICL recently made the news in the Worcester (Mass.) House of Corrections and the program has expanded into 10 states and 40 different facilities.

The program is not about entertainment for inmates, rather PICL’s aim centers around rehabilitation and reintegration. “The goal of the organization is to offer a holistic approach to rehabilitation that encompasses physical activity, skill acquisition, mental well-being, and social reintegration.”

One participant shared that it “Brings out the best in his bunkmates” and is a “good boost of morale.”

Sarah Gersten from PICL is focused on two metrics specifically:

  • Lowering behavioral incidents while people are still incarcerated

  • Reducing recidivism when people are eventually released

The concept of pickleball in prisons is not a new one. However, the organized, national approach of PICL leads us to believe that widespread positive and reproducible results are on the horizon.

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