Ben Johns and Collin Johns pull out of MLP Columbus matches because of lighting complaints

Alex Lantz

Director of Content

Last Edited

May 02 2025

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News

Ben Johns and Collin Johns informed Major League Pickleball officials Friday afternoon that they would be pulling out of their remaining matches at MLP Columbus because of lighting concerns, according to a news release from the league.

The Johns brothers play for the Carolina Hogs, which were 0-4 on the season after losing to the Phoenix Flames in their first match of the week on Thursday and falling to the Atlanta Bouncers on Friday.

The Hogs will be using Martin Emmrich and Ross Whitaker as their men's players for the remainder of the event. Per new league rules, the penalty for using on-site alternates is starting any game in which an alternate plays down 0-1.

Carolina's bench players, Kaitlyn Christian and Brandon French, did not travel with the team to Columbus.

The Hogs will also be without Liz Truluck for the team's matches on Saturday and Sunday. Zoey Weil, one of the women's on-site alternates, will fill in for those matches.

United Pickleball Association CEO Connor Pardoe and Major League Pickleball Commissioner Samin Odhwani said in a statement that they will be reviewing the situation with Carolina and announce any potential disciplinary measures early next week.

Statement from UPA CEO @connorpardoe_pb and MLP Commissioner @SaminOdhwani

"We are thrilled with the overall passion, excitement, and high level of play to start the 2025 MLP season, and want to keep the focus on the court for the duration of the event in Columbus.

That said,…
— Major League Pickleball (@MajorLeaguePB) May 2, 2025

MLP Columbus is being played indoors at Pickle & Chill, a large facility that has 12 indoor and 10 outdoor courts. Ben Johns has said in the past that he struggles to track the ball in indoor lighting because of an eye injury he suffered when he was younger.

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