Pickleball Craze in Major League Baseball: Pickleball is quickly becoming a favorite sport in Major League Baseball (MLB). Teams across the United States are playing pickleball during training and off-days. The sport has gained huge popularity because it is fun, keeps players active, and builds teamwork within the teams.
Pickleball’s growth in MLB is a new and exciting trend. Though it is very different from baseball, players enjoy it because both sports involve hitting a ball. Many baseball players were introduced to pickleball by former tennis players and sponsors. It has now spread to spring training camps in Arizona and Florida.
Pickleball Builds Team Spirit
Many MLB players, coaches, and staff have made pickleball a daily hobby. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching coach Mark Prior said, “It is the most-hotly-talked-about topic in my seven years with the Dodgers.” Players love how it brings them together while helping them stay active and competitive.
The Texas Rangers’ staff explained why pickleball is so popular. “It is a great way to stay active. There is camaraderie. Teamwork. It gets our juices going,” Mark said. It is now part of team culture, with some teams even building pickleball courts at their training centers.
Pickleball Rivals and Tournaments
Some MLB teams have taken the game further by holding in-house tournaments. The Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres created their own pickleball competitions while on road trips. These games often get intense, sometimes so heated that matches must be stopped to keep peace.
Matt Erickson, the Milwaukee Brewers’ infield coach, is now ranked MLB’s No. 1 in pickleball. His teammate Matt Arnold follows at No. 2. Dodgers star Mookie Betts, however, said he would return to golf, possibly because Dodgers’ president Andrew Friedman warned, “I do not think it is a great thing for the Dodgers’ ultimate success for a lot of guys to be playing pickleball.”
Baseball Stars Eyeing Pickleball Careers
Former All-Star JD Martinez is also serious about pickleball. As a free agent, Martinez has signed with JOOLA, a major pickleball brand. He seems ready to move toward a new professional career in pickleball. Reports suggest he has already started preparing for this big change.
What This Means for MLB and Pickleball
Pickleball’s rise in MLB shows how popular the sport has become. It offers a fun, competitive way for athletes to stay sharp and bond as a team. If more stars like JD Martinez join the sport, pickleball could grow even faster, reaching new fans and making it a serious option for retiring athletes.
News in Brief: Pickleball Craze in Major League Baseball
Pickleball has become a popular activity in Major League Baseball, with teams playing the sport for fun and fitness. MLB players, coaches, and staff have built courts, held tournaments, and even sparked rivalries. Some, like JD Martinez, may soon move into professional pickleball, showing the sport’s growing influence in the baseball world.
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