Paddle Disqualification Incident at the PPA Tour’s OGIO Newport Beach Shootout: A Detailed Analysis
Table of Contents
Introduction
A recent incident at the PPA Tour’s OGIO Newport Beach Shootout raised concerns about paddle legality in professional pickleball tournaments. This article offers a comprehensive examination of the events that unfolded, involving the disqualification of Sarah Ansboury and her partner Jill Braverman, and the implications for players and the sport.
The Disqualification of Sarah Ansboury and Jill Braverman
During the quarterfinal match at the PPA Tour’s OGIO Newport Beach Shootout, Sarah Ansboury and her partner, Jill Braverman, were disqualified due to Ansboury’s Gamma Obsidian Raw Carbon 16mm paddle testing over the official limits. According to Sam Flaxman, PPA Tour Pro Player Director, every player who qualifies for the quarterfinals in the pro division at every PPA tournament faces mandatory testing of their paddle.
“As is our protocol, Sarah was informed before the quarterfinal that her paddle’s core and surface bonding had deteriorated considerably over the course of the tournament,” said Carl Schmits, USA Pickleball Managing Director of Pickleball Standards. “She received an official warning that, with the current manufacturing standards, her paddle had a high likelihood of crossing the legal threshold during the next match and that it would be in her best interests to retire the paddle. We can only recommend best practices, however – the final decision is in the hands of the player.”
Ansboury’s paddle, the Gamma Obsidian Raw Carbon 16mm, was deemed legal before the match during which she and partner Jill Braverman won over Lina Padegimaite and Lacy Schneemann. However, following a challenge from the opposing team and a retesting of the paddle, it was found to have degraded over the official limitations and was no longer legal.
The Paddle Testing Process
Paddle testing is conducted on site using an industry-standard ultrasonic bond tester. The testing process involves checking for several “failure” issues on a paddle:
- Surface roughness
- Delamination, disbonding, and/or crushed core – which shows whether a paddle has a cavity that allows for a trampoline effect
“The paddle [Ansboury’s] was found to have a breakdown in the integrity of the facial plies and core within the paddle,” Flaxman said.
The testing process takes about 5 minutes and is performed after a player challenge. According to the official rules of pickleball, rule 2.E.2 states the paddle’s hitting surface shall not contain delamination, holes, cracks, or indentations that break the paddle skin or surface.
The Aftermath and Implications for Players
As a result of Ansboury’s paddle being illegal, their team had to forfeit, which automatically advanced Schneemann and Padegimaite to the semifinals.
“The rules are the rules and they are very clear,” Ansboury said. “What’s unfortunate is the players have found themselves in the middle of a manufacturer decision and, or a potentially antiquated rule. I’m proud of me and my partner Jill Braverman’s performance today. To ensure equity, I would encourage the PPA to release the exact number of failed paddles and brands from this weekend and to promote continuous, mandatory testing.”
This incident has raised concerns about the rapid breakdown of the integrity of some paddles and how it affects players. The PPA Tour
, USA Pickleball, and Major League Pickleball are working together to ensure a reliable, functional, and transparent process for equipment compliancy.
“Our highest priority is the integrity of the game and consistent standards for all, without bias or ambiguity,” said Connor Pardoe, CEO of the PPA Tour. “We stand behind our professional players and want to cultivate a process that is reliable, functional, and transparent and will take uncertainty out of the equation. Players, paddle companies, and our industry partners, USA Pickleball and Major League Pickleball, are all in agreement when it comes to formalizing equipment compliancy. We are moving forward in lockstep towards the same goals together.”
The Importance of Paddle Challenges and Player Responsibility
Players on the PPA Tour are allowed to challenge what they believe is an illegal paddle. The challenge is brought to the referee, who then hands all players’ paddles to tour officials for testing. In this instance, the paddles of Braverman, Schneemann, and Padegimaite all tested within the limitations. A challenge of a paddle that tests legal results in a $250 fine for the player who issued the challenge.
“Players bear the heaviest burden when it comes to ensuring the equipment they use is within legal limitations,” Flaxman said. “Unfortunately, because of the rapid breakdown of the integrity of some paddles that is currently occurring throughout the sport, players are put in a tough spot. The paddle was legal before the match and after the match it wasn’t.”
Conclusion
The paddle disqualification incident at the PPA Tour’s OGIO Newport Beach Shootout has emphasized the importance of maintaining equipment compliancy and the players’ responsibility to ensure their paddles meet the required standards. By working together, players, manufacturers, and industry partners can create a transparent and consistent process for equipment testing, ensuring the integrity of the sport and a level playing field for all participants.
Fan Reactions
Based on tweets and my conversations with friends, fans have mixed opinions about the disqualification due to paddle degradation. Some believe that the degradation of the paddle can provide an advantage, such as a trampoline effect, which gives the user more power and the ability to apply more spin to the ball. Others express concerns about the environmental impact of using paddles that break down, with a few suggesting eco-friendly alternatives like those from Revolin Sports.
Some fans argue that the disqualification was unfair, stating that the paddle had passed inspection before the match and that it’s not the player’s fault if a paddle fails during play. They believe that challenges should be made before the end of the match and that the player should only be disqualified if they fail to replace a faulty paddle during the game. Others suggest that players should adapt to evolving technology and stop complaining, drawing comparisons to tennis players who adjust their game to more powerful racquets. Overall, fans have differing opinions on the matter and express a desire for improved equipment regulations and eco-friendly options.
I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.
As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!
My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.
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