The Dink Pickleball Newsletter: Auction Draft Preview and MLP’s New Steal Rule, The Church of Pickleball, and Turn Your Hands of Stone Into Pillows
The Dink Pickleball
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Do you ever wish you could steal a player from your opponent and make them your partner? Los Angeles Lakers fans know what we’re talking about.
Well, Major League Pickleball decided to spice things up this year by announcing a new steal rule just before the teams’ draft on Sunday, March 2nd.
The controversial rule change is intended to promote parity in the league and make sure top talent isn’t marooned on a bench all season long - but not everyone is happy with the changes. We break it down for you below.
There’s no day like Draft Day.
Our Picks ??
?? Glow Up: Columbus Sliders Flip the Script for 2025
The The Columbus Sliders traded in their old White Castle influenced logo for a fresh start. Or as the team put it - “New look, New roster, New season, Same winning spirit.”
?? Venue: The Church of Pickleball
Push the pews aside and pull out the nets. Check out this San Francisco house of worship that prays for consistent thirds. To quote the Maren Morris tune “Yeah, I guess that’s my church.”
??? Radio: Dan Patrick Calls For a Rematch
The fellas over at The Dan Patrick Show are hooked on pickleball. They’re planning on-court showdown when they travel to Green Bay to cover the NFL Draft.
??? Poll: How often do you replace your overgrip?
You Need to Train the Soft Game
Drive for show, dink for dough. Everyone envies the flashy power game, but championships are won with the soft game.
Plushy soft mitts aren’t born overnight. Control in the soft game is a skill you can develop and master.
Want to see how your hands measure up? Try this drill from @thepicklebrosuk. Chances are you won’t make it past one or two tosses.
This may look easy but we promise, it’s not. After trying the drill a couple of times, you should see improvement with your resets, dinks, and drops. It’s time to become one with your paddle.
Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone FOR GOOD!
Selkirk Sport - We Are Pickleball 's Project 005 is going out of stock for good! Grab this hybrid paddle for only $100 while supplies last. That’s all-court performance for only $100.
MLP Teams Can Steal Players & Draft Preview
The fate of the 2025 Major League Pickleball season begins this Sunday with the MLP Draft, a mad-dash for the 16 Premier Level teams to set their rosters and bid for the title.
This year sees a host of new rules: Team rosters have increased from four to six players; all teams must fill four roster spots before they can bid for additional players; there are now four waiver periods (instead of one); oh, and teams are allowed to "steal" players from other teams ...
You heard that right. New this year is the ability for teams to poach a 5th or 6th player from another team. There are some stipulations, of course, but the implications are significant. Read the full rule breakdown here.
According to MLP:
On Sunday, more than half of the league’s players (56 out of 96) will find their new home via the draft. Our guy Erik Tice details exactly how he thinks the first 24 picks of the draft will play out and provides a full team-by-team preview here.
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What’s Louder a Helicopter or Pickleball?
For the first time ever, pickleball is being proposed as the solution to a noise problem. A unique proposal has emerged in Lower Manhattan: turning a busy heliport into a pickleball and entertainment hub.
Bill Wachtell, who has managed the Downtown Manhattan Heliport for nearly two decades, suggests replacing noisy helicopters with pickleball courts, mini golf, and concert space.
However, the city has other plans—bringing in a new operator to transition the site into a transportation hub featuring quieter electric helicopters. The debate is heating up, with a decision on the new contract expected soon.
Could pickleball land a prime spot in NYC?
Fresh Fits Alert
Heads up: Franklin Sports just dropped a brand new apparel collection – the "Flex Collection" – and it's changing the Franklin game (literally).
Ladies, check out the cropped hoodies and joggers – actually stylish for on and off court. Guys, polos and shorts in modern colors and cuts? Finally.
If you're looking to refresh your pickleball wardrobe with gear that performs and looks sharp, Franklin's Flex Collection deserves a serious look.
History Made in Sacramento
Chris Haworth did it. Yesterday at the Association of Pickleball Players Sacramento Open he won his tenth men’s singles title to tie an all-time APP record. Now the question is, how high will Chris push the new record?
Yeh or Nay
Haworth’s opponent in the finals was a name you might not be familiar with but should be on the lookout for. Originally from Argentina, Mariano Yeh brings college tennis experience to the game and has gone all-in on pickleball. He topped Grayson Goldin in the semis to reach the finals.
Sewing Goes Back-to-Back
The reign of Sofia Sewing has officially started. She won gold back in Daytona Beach and made it two in a row yesterday.
Her opponent was Madalina Grigoriu, who is quickly gaining experience playing on the domestic tours and in the World Pickleball League.
The Sacramento Open continues today with mixed doubles action. Due to rain in the forecast, the doubles championship matches will be played on Saturday, March 1.
We’re predicting a title run for Will Howells and the newly married Bobbi Oshiro (congrats Bobbi). Catch a full preview of the Sacramento Open here and tune into the action on APPTV today at 1 pm ET.
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