The $50K pickleball swindler

The biggest MLP changeup yet

February 13, 2025

“Wait…was Kendrick Lamar really rapping about pickleball during the Super Bowl Half Time show?!”

→ No, he wasn’t (the lyric is, “peakaboo”). But you know you’ve got a one-track mind if you thought he was saying “pickleball.”

And in case you missed the announcement last week, we are holding an open tryout for Major League Pickleball on Saturday, Feb. 22, at The Kitchen HQ in Austin, Texas. There are only a few spots left. Sign up here.

Also in this issue:

  • Creativity on full display 🎨

  • Play better singles with these strategies ♟️

  • A new pickleball swindler 😢 

  • In-depth review of the Proton Series Four 📝

  • Major moves in Major League Pickleball 🔁

PS - Did you catch the pickleball commercial during the big game? If you didn’t, watch it here.

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

GIVEAWAY

3 DAYS LEFT — FIFTEEN Proton Project Flamingo paddles!

We are excited to partner with Proton to give away 15 of their brand new Series Three Project Flamingo paddles! This is the FIRST dual stamped paddle with certification for UPA and USAP!

SIGN UP HERE and also get 100 BONUS ENTRIES HERE!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Pickleball strategy evolving in real time

Diving dinks, ridiculous hands, iron-clad defense — This is 6.0 level pickleball.

…But did anybody notice the lobs? Traditional high-level strategy teaches us that lobs should realistically be used offensively, from the kitchen line, and to use drops when on defense.

But more than one player in this clip uses lobs even at the baseline, when you know they could have landed a drop.

POLL

What piece of pickleball gear will you most likely buy next?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

INSTRUCTION

Focus on these keys for better singles

You may think of yourself as a doubles-only player, but nothing will warm up your reflexes better than a quick round of singles.

But without a partner to rely on, every shot, step & decision falls on you. Here are two strategies to consider:

1. Deep serve & shadow strategy

In singles, your serve is an offensive weapon. A deep, powerful serve keeps your opponent pinned to the baseline, giving you control.

  • Serve from the centerline to limit angles.

  • Prioritize depth over speed to push them back.

  • Shadow your serve by moving toward the center, ready to cut off angles.

  • Mix it up—serve down the line, to the body, or wide to stay unpredictable.

2. Forcing shot & net rush

Controlling the kitchen line wins games, but you’ve got to earn it.

  • Hit deep into corners, especially to their backhand.

  • Rush the net if they’re off-balance, but stay alert for passing shots.

  • Avoid drop shots unless they’re at the net — deep drives are safer.

FEATURED STORY

Pickleball club founder sentenced for wire fraud

Move over, Rodney Grubbs. There's a new pickleball swindler in the mix.

According to the Lake Oswego Review, the pickleball community in Oregon was rocked last month when Joshua Wallace, the founder of the Oregon Pickleball Club (OPC), was sentenced to 26 months in prison for wire fraud, as well as three years of supervised release and a $100,000 restitution order.

Wallace’s sentencing comes as a result of fraudulent financial activity tied to his involvement in the sport. He raised $50K, but instead of using the funds to build the club, Wallace reportedly used the money for other things, such as:

  • paying off personal bills

  • transferring funds to credit cards and other accounts

  • covering legal fees & vehicle expenses

  • even funding gambling on DraftKings

Court docs reveal that Wallace not only burned through the investment money almost immediately, but also racked up more than $120,000 in unpaid debts, including bad checks written to OPC’s landlord and contractors.

And the pickleball-related fraud was just one piece of a larger web of deception…

OTHER RACQUET SPORTS

Insane ping-pong rally — WAIT TILL THE END

We try to stick to pickleball for the most part, but this ping-pong point was too good to not share. 🤯

Imagine doing this with a ball that weighs next to nothing on a court that is miniature. Table tennis is so severely underrated it’s criminal. 🏓 

PADDLE REVIEW

In-depth look at the Proton Series Four

Last week we shared our thoughts on the new Proton Series Three - Project Flamingo, which became very popular among pro players seemingly the day it was released.

We were back on the courts this week with the Proton Series Four - Project Roadrunner, which was released in the fall. As with all Proton paddles, this one looks great, plus it packs a ton of innovative tech into a sleek, edgeless design.

Proton introduced a hybrid core with this release that included a layer of Nomex (typically associated with more poppy paddles) sandwiched between two layers of traditional polypropylene.

The result is a unique feel that suits a variety of play styles.

THE PROS

Orlando, Phoenix MLP teams make major trade

Major League Pickleball earlier this week announced a blockbuster trade between the Orlando Squeeze and Phoenix Flames (previously the AZ Drive).

The Squeeze acquired Dylan Frazier and Lacy Schneemann from Phoenix in exchange for Tyson McGuffin, Meghan Dizon and $25,000.

Updated team rosters

Orlando: Federico Staksrud, Dylan Frazier, Lacy Scheemann and Vivienne David.

Phoenix: Andrei Daescu, Tyson McGuffin, Meghan Dizon and Jessie Irvine.

Proton Sports recently bought a controlling stake in the Phoenix Flames at a valuation north of $10 million, so it makes sense that the team would go after Dizon, who has been a Proton sponsored player for more than a year.

Phoenix finished 8th in the Premier League standings in 2024, while Orlando finished 9th, so both teams were looking to shake up their rosters ahead of the 2025 season, which starts in April. Teams are able to make trades until Saturday and will be required to drop at least one player from their 2024 season-ending roster on Sunday.

Premier Level teams will then acquire between three and six players (depending on how many players they keep) during a free agency draft on Sunday, March 2.

On the PPA Tour, pros will be headed to Mesa, Arizona, next week for the Carvana Mesa Cup. The progression draw starts with pro qualifying Monday and main draw action beginning Tuesday.

There are several interesting partnerships entered in the event and we are eagerly awaiting the release of the draws. Look for a full preview and predictions early next week. Headed to Mesa? Buy tickets here.

ORIGIN STORY

You’ll drop hundreds on a paddle…but what about shoes?

Chris Gallagher knows footwear. With over 30 years of experience in the industry — including co-founding Vionic Shoes, a brand built around medical-grade orthotic support — Gallagher has long understood the relationship between foot health and performance.

But it wasn’t until he retired to Palm Beach, Florida, that he saw the growing problem on pickleball courts: players wearing the wrong shoes.

“I noticed people in running shoes, casual sneakers, even flip-flops,” Gallagher says. “That’s a recipe for injury. Pickleball has unique movement demands, and I knew we could create something specifically for the sport.”

With his expertise and an experienced team, Gallagher launched PB5star with a clear goal: to deliver top-tier, sport-specific pickleball shoes that merge the the comfort of a walking shoe with the support of a court shoe.

QUICK HITS

What did you think of this week's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

REFERRALS

Earn swag while helping us grow 💌

Earn free pickleball gear for referring friends & family to our newsletter.

  • 5 referrals = The Kitchen bumper sticker & bag tag

  • 10 referrals = The Kitchen hat of your choice

  • 25 referrals = The Kitchen t-shirt of your choice

  • 45 referrals = A JOOLA bag

  • 100 referrals = Any JOOLA paddle

  • 500 referrals = Come party at our Austin HQ! We'll play & drill with pros & film viral content together for our Instagram

You currently have 0 referrals, only 10 away from receiving A Kitchen Hat.

Copy & paste this link to share with your family, friends, & in social media posts: https://thekitchenpickle.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER