PicklePod Thomas Shields, Zane Navratil

Zane is still on his honeymoon so we've compiled some of the best moments so far this year. Catch some of our favorites here and go back and listen to your favorite personalities in the game.
Show Notes:
0:00 Intro
3:19 Collin Johns - Building Ben's backhand
12:22 Anna Leigh Waters - Insane fan stories
15:32 Riley Newman - The Pancake Grip
22:30 Riley Newman - DJ Selkirk’s song choice
25:36 Zane’s win over the Johns Bros
30:50 Lea Jansen - Unretiring from singles
34:48 Travis Rettenmaier - The demise of pickleball
44:45 Jaume Martinez Vich - Pickleball Sugar Mamas
46:03 Dekel Bar - Neutralizing a big serve
50:49 Jimmy Miller - Vulcan ball remake
56:14 Augie Ge - Unorthodox training
59:22 Dan Martinson - Zane’s most offensive shot

It's not just the weapon, it's the warrior. Save 10% at https://warstic.com/collections/pickleball with code: DINK

Recover faster. Play Longer. Get 10% off devices that help reduce the risk of injuries with code DINK10 at https://www.therabody.com/

Save 20% on Tifosi sunglasses with code DINK20 at https://tifosioptics.com/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

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Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
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Back in March, leaders from pickleball’s top organizations gathered under one roof at the racquetX Conference to discuss the future of the game. The Dink’s own Thomas Shields led a panel that included:

Anne Worcester - Strategic advisor, MLP
Bryce Morgan - President, PPA Tour
Tom Webb - Chief Marketing Officer, APP
Mike Nealy - Chief Executive Officer, USA Pickleball

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Create your own minor league event here: http://www.minorleaguehost.com/ 
Create your own The Dink Minor Leagues event here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/bec208...

Subscribe to The Dink 3x weekly newsletter https://thedink.beehiiv.com/

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/ 

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' free e-newsletter at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/sig...
-Follow us on IG @thedinkpickleball
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
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Show Notes:
0:00 Intros
2:33 Insights from professional tennis
6:50 Amateur participation growth
14:05 Challenges to build the next great pro sport
20:40 Running a startup organization in a startup industry
24:50 How is USA Pickleball adapting?
26:30 The growth of pickleball internationally
31:01 Creating a space for the youth to play
37:39 International regulation for grass roots growth
41:02 Is there room for two tours?
47:22 IS software development a focus?
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What's your DUPR? Are you above or below the average player? DUPR CEO Tito Machado breaks down how the game is exploding among younger players and in more countries.

Plus Zane and Thomas recap events from MLP Atlanta including illegal substances, players earning penalties, and a dust-up between The 5's and Hustlers.

It's not just the weapon, it's the warrior. Save 10% at https://warstic.com/collections/pickleball with code: DINK

Recover faster. Play Longer. Get 10% off devices that help reduce the risk of injuries with code DINK10 at https://www.therabody.com/

Save 20% on Tifosi sunglasses with code DINK20 at https://tifosioptics.com/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Subscribe to The Dink 3x weekly newsletter https://thedink.beehiiv.com/

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Big time college grad
5:13 Initial takeaway from MLP Atlanta
9:32 #Freethefreeze
14:11 A new serve rule for MLP
18:47 Tiered points system
23:34 An Illegal substance found on a paddle
26:03 Getting rowdy with the Hustlers
30:01 Dekel launches a ball onto Grandstand court
32:46 The $2.5 million dollar man
36:32 Tito Machado joins the pod
40:06 Fake profiles and the DUPR Police
42:02 What’s the status?
44:13 The Great Divide
50:02 Where is pickleball growing internationally
53:04 Getting younger, younger, and younger
57:11 Get started in The Dink Minor Leagues
1:04:34 The fastest-growing groups
1:07:30 Should pros be allowed in college events
1:13:45 What’s on the horizon?
1:18:08 5.0s used to be the standard
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Travis 'The Rattlesnake' Rettenmaier joins the pod fresh off a PPA Bronze with Zane Navratil. Travis shares the life-changing pickleball experience that led to him becoming a pickleball pro and MLP team owner.

Travis is not shy to call out cheating at the pro ranks. He goes in on how new paddles have changed the identity of the game overnight.

Recover faster. Play Longer. Get 10% off devices that help reduce the risk of injuries with code DINK10 at https://www.therabody.com/

Save 20% on Tifosi sunglasses with code DINK20 at https://tifosioptics.com/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Subscribe to The Dink 3x weekly newsletter https://thedink.beehiiv.com/

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
------------------
0:00 Still a skeptic of the pro game
8:50 Showing the love for St. Pete
13:12 A new facility on the way, showers optional
15:47 Pickleball is for the misfits
20:19 Most prestigious tournament in pickle
22:29 Is Fed actually #1?
25:18 Ben Johns' 1 weakness
26:14 Alshon's tennis beef
30:30 The infamous 2 vs 1 challenge with NML
35:21 The Jackie Moon of pro pickleball
37:20 A norm that drives you crazy
40:59 Zane wants to change all the rules
43:36 Cheating is very, very prevalent
48:20 Are there personal vendettas?
51:08 You can buy skill, buy force, buy spin
57:38 How did it work in tennis? Spaghetti strings
1:03:55 Controversies from the Red Rock Open
1:10:10 Travis carried Zane in LA and the top shit talkers
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Lea Jansen joins the pod after her first singles title in nearly three years. We discuss paddle technology, her return to singles, drug testing, and the new wave of players in the women's game.

A big change is imminent in the pro game. Find out what Lea would change to help the game keep up with other professional sports.

Save 20% on Tifosi sunglasses with code DINK20 at https://tifosioptics.com/

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Subscribe to The Dink 3x weekly newsletter https://thedink.beehiiv.com/

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
------------------
0:00 Zane demands a trade
4:29 What you’re hearing about JOOLA
6:28 Lea joins the pod
11:09 Why Lea retired from singles
16:10 Also retired from Twitter
20:50 Drug testing and line calls
25:10 Refs fandom an issue
32:09 Want a grievance system
36:46 Inconsistencies in paddle testing
42:22 Only a high-profile incident will create change
44:07 Should be able to capitalize on natural advantages
49:24 Bringing a stack of paddles to be tested
53:56 The upper limit of power
1:00:31 Devil’s advocate on bad line calls
1:02:30 Power ranking beefs
1:07:50 Women’s players that are on the rise
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Dan Martinson from PIKKL joins the pod to discuss the current state of paddle technology. Dan's material science background and passion for pickleball have led him to become a paddle expert. His new approach to maintaining paddle integrity could have a big impact on how players use and replace paddles.

Find an event near you and register to play in The Dink Minor Leagues at https://officialminorleaguepb.com/

Subscribe to The Dink 3x weekly newsletter https://thedink.beehiiv.com/

Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.

Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/

To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
------------------
0:00 A gift for Zane
3:42 The Dink Minor Leagues and major league valuations
9:45 Lea’s revenge tour
12:14 Is Donald Young for real?
15:01 The rise of Fed and Tina Pisnik
18:59 M/W doubles recap
21:33 Dan joins the pod
24:01 Understanding the rules
28:38 Weight sidebar
32:26 Favoring a drive/drop hybrid
36:26 Paddle brand sources and protecting IP
40:29 Who is innovating in the paddle space
44:40 Generating more RPMs
51:04 Will paddle manufacturers set a standard?
53:14 Diving deep on grit details
56:08 Not in the final state of innovation
59:56 Carbon fiber could become obsolete
1:05:16 Customization options
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