Violent Fights Erupt on Pickleball Courts
Last Edited
Sep 25 2024
Category
News
Recent bouts of violent fighting on pickleball courts have us wondering: is the sport such a "safe space" after all?
A suspect was arrested after an alleged assault on a pickleball court at Burnaby's Confederation Park in British Columbia last weekend.
According to the RCMP, the suspect assaulted the victim with a glass bottle and other objects found nearby, causing minor injuries.
A video shared with CTV News captures part of the altercation, showing the suspect moving a pickleball net and chasing the victim around the court before striking him multiple times.
The cause of the altercation is unknown, but the video depicts the victim of the assault holding a paddle while the assailant only holds a bottle.
A bystander can be heard in that video urging the suspect to "chill." Prior to the assault, the suspect had been playing music near the court, though it is unclear if he was involved with the group playing pickleball.
Politics Also Fueling Violence on the Court
We've heard of pickleball players avoiding certain rec-play regulars due to political differences. But never before have we seen those differences result in a fistfight on the court.
A pickleball court at the Rossmoor retirement community in Contra Costa County, California was the setting of a fistfight, reportedly started over the GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The incident has reportedly led to political restrictions in the community, with new rules imposed limiting public demonstrations and political commentary.
These examples of on-court tensions challenges the pickleball's reputation as a peaceful pastime free of drama & politics.
Read Next: Does Sexism Exist in Pickleball?
Whether these incidents are isolated or a sign of deeper issues in North America, one thing is clear: maintaining pickleball’s friendly spirit may require more than just good sportsmanship.
Join Pickleball’s Greatest Community
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter to be the most well-informed pickleball fan on the court, featuring news, giveaways, and much more!
Gear Picks
Get all of the Kitchen’s favorite gear from Pickleball Central.
