Will Ben Johns be fined—or worse?

Pickleball paddles made in the USA. Decision-making tips from a pro.

May 05, 2025

There’s a lot of name-calling in pro pickleball right now. Another member of the St. Louis Shock lobbed an insult over the net. And poor lighting concerns pushed the Johns bros to pull out of the event entirely—sparking a number of insults and accusations to fly every which way.

League execs aren’t happy. Will the face of men’s pickleball be fined, or worse? Read on to learn more.

But wait—before you go:

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In This Issue:
— Spicy storylines from MLP Columbus
— Decision-making tips from a PPA pro
— A divine drama unfolds in NJ

If you don’t have anything nice to say…

Our Picks ☝️

⚾️ Talent: Pickle Pro’s First Pitch

Pickle pro and Miami resident Catherine Parenteau added an accolade to her growing list of accomplishments—throwing out the first pitch at yesterday’s Marlins game.

💤 Tired: Is Pickleball Content Played Out?

With so many creators looking to make a mark, one hopeful wonders: Is it possible to create pickleball content that adds value, rather than just contributing to the noise?

☢️ Solutions: Pros Clash Over Safety

Dekel Bar took to Instagram to call for “clear guidelines” for court conditions, wind levels, lighting standards…even drug testing. The comments section popped off.

🥇 Repeat: Familiar Faces

Anna Leigh Waters and mom Leigh brought home another gold in women’s doubles at the US Open. Megan Fudge and Jack Munro won mixed gold. Full results.

Pro Breakdown: Strategic Tips for Better Decision-Making

We had PPA Pro Eric Roddy break down a full beginner-level game, and here’s what he said stood out:

Most beginner teams struggle to hit deep returns, which are crucial for helping you get to the Kitchen line, often because they’re standing too close to the baseline or moving late to the ball. The fix? Give yourself space and focus on footwork. Getting into position early makes it easier to hit through the ball and keep your return deep.

Another common issue: players hanging back after a third-shot drop. One player hits a great drop… and then stays near the baseline, giving up space and time at the net. Instead, follow your drop to the Kitchen—it’s called a transition zone for a reason. Getting in puts pressure on your opponents and sets you up to win the point.

Other takeaways you can use today:

  • Stop driving every ball. Your transition shots should be 90% drops or resets—set up the point, don’t force it.

  • Cover smart. If your partner gets pulled wide, shift to the middle and keep the ball in play to buy them time.

  • Hit deeper returns. A deep serve return gives you time to move forward and take control at the Kitchen.

  • Shrink your swing. Think compact, like your swing lives inside a hula hoop around your body.

  • Fix your stance. Get low, plant your feet, and stay athletic. Standing straight up leads to late, off-balance shots.

Watch the full breakdown with video clips on our website.

Your Knees Called—They Want Backup

Dink fam, we see you grinding through sore shoulders, cranky knees, and tight elbows that just won’t quit. Here’s the fix: KT Tape Pro®. It’s easy to use, sticks through sweat, and looks clean in colors that pop.

Knees, elbows, shoulders. Wherever it hurts, this stuff helps. And applying it is simple. Three steps: anchor the start, stretch the middle, press down the end. Done.

Whether you’re managing pain or just trying to stay on the court longer, KT Tape Pro® brings real support without slowing you down.

The Shock Dominate & the Johns Bros Call it Quits

Major League Pickleball’s second event of the season wrapped up in Columbus, OH, over the weekend. The court colors were tame this time around, but some spicy storylines stole the show.

✅ Ben and Collin Johns withdrew from the event after a lackluster showing Friday, citing safety concerns due to inadequate lighting levels. This set off a firestorm of reactions across the league. Execs, pros and fans all weighed in—and nobody is particularly happy about it. Will they be fined? Suspended? Banned for life? “Potential disciplinary measures” could come down as early as today.

✅ The St. Louis Shock were scary-good, going 6-0 in Columbus and losing just one of their 24 games all weekend. The combined score of their final two matches was 88-11. All four of their players are ranked in the top 10 in the standings. And they’re doing it all with an attitude, cussing out opponents left and right.

✅ The talent gap is big—and only growing. The Shock, Flash, Fives, Squeeze, and Ranchers are all top of the pack. Everyone else is pretty mid…or look like amateurs out on the court. The first waiver period is next week—expect some teams to make moves in a bid to become competitive.

👉 All this and more in our complete MLP Columbus recap.

A NJ Town Could Replace a Church with Pickleball Courts

A divine drama is unfolding in Toms River, NJ, where city officials are trying to seize a church building that’s planning to open a shelter for the homeless—and use the space instead for recreation, including pickleball courts.

The church purchased the property and started prepping it for a number of beds and support services. But the city is calling foul—claiming the church never got proper approvals. Now it’s launching eminent domain proceedings to take the building and its 11-acre plot outright.

“It is blatantly illegal, improper, and violates the United States Constitution, as well as numerous New Jersey laws and case law,” the church’s lawyer said. “No town has ever done this, let alone done it to a church.”

A public hearing is next. We’ll be keeping an eye on this one.

Your Feet Deserve Something Built for This Game

If you’re still sliding around in old tennis shoes, it might be time for something actually built for pickleball. The XRZ™ from SQAIRZ checks all the right boxes. More stability. More balance. Less chance of rolling an ankle mid-rally.

That roomier toe box? It gives your feet space to move and grip. The outsole? Built for quick lateral shifts, not just straight-ahead motion. And the Sta-Put laces? Yeah, they stay put.

Players love the feel. We like that it’s designed with injury prevention in mind. And with a 6-month sole guarantee, it’s built to last too.

Tariff-Proof? Pickleball Paddles Made in the USA

It’s no secret that the pickleball paddle industry relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing. As technology evolves, the processes and labor required to produce top-of-the-line paddles can be exorbitant—believe it or not, it’s far more complicated than slapping a few layers of plastic and carbon fiber together and calling it a day.

With tariff-talk escalating, some consumers are wondering if there are brands making paddles right here in the USA. The short answer? Yes. But the list is short. Here are a few we know of:

Many brands assemble their paddles domestically; others have claimed they’re moving manufacturing stateside. For now, these are the brands we know of that are actively making paddles in the US.

👉 Did we miss any? Review this issue and leave a comment below to let us know.

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