Vulcan Pickleball’s Revolution: Vulcan Sporting Goods Co., based in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has become a major player in the fast-growing pickleball industry. Founded by Vince Signorelli, Vulcan now supplies the official ball for the Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball, producing thousands of high-quality balls and paddles daily to meet the sport’s rising demand.
Building a Brand in a Growing Sport
Pickleball, invented in 1965, blends tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Once a backyard game, it has grown into a massive sport with 48.3 million U.S. players by 2023, according to the Association of Pickleball Players. Seeing the sport’s rise early, Signorelli moved Vulcan’s headquarters to Hot Springs and launched a full pickleball line in 2018.
“There are only a handful of top brands. Arkansas has its own brand, and that’s pretty cool. We’ve put down very strong, deep roots.” – (Vince Signorelli)
By 2024, the pickleball market became crowded, with USA Pickleball registering 476 new manufacturers.
“We were very fortunate to be one of the founding brands.” – (Vince Signorelli)
Crafting the Perfect Pickleball
In 2023, Vulcan introduced the Vulcan VPRO Flight Outdoor Pickleball.
“It puts us in a very special place,” said Signorelli. Making a top ball was challenging. Though it looks like a wiffle ball, it is very different. A team of designers focused on bounce, flight, and visibility.
“There are just a lot of details that make this a super high-quality ball.” – (Vince Signorelli)
The balls are made from polymers, molded into spheres, and drilled with 40 holes. Vulcan’s four factories produce about 16,000 balls every day. Besides balls, Vulcan also makes paddles, clothing, bags, and hats.
Paddles are hard to regulate due to rapid advances, but Vulcan stays ahead. Balls usually last only about three games, and pros often use a new ball each game. Paddles last about two to three months with regular play. Signorelli said he owns about 12 paddles himself.
Pickleball’s Rapid Rise Across Generations
Signorelli discovered pickleball around 2015 or 2016 at a YMCA.
“It didn’t take long as an entrepreneur to figure out that this was an interesting new sport and an exciting one and, potentially, an opportunity for our company.” – (Vince Signorelli)
In 2018, Vulcan built a public pickleball park at its headquarters.
“Everyone thought we were crazy. Of course, now courts are everywhere.” – (Vince Signorelli)
Today, more than 68,000 courts exist in the U.S., according to Pickleheads. Participation has jumped 223.5% in three years, says the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Signorelli said pickleball’s social nature helped its popularity. The pandemic also drove interest as people sought safe outdoor activities.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. It just continues to grow.” – (Vince Signorelli)
Initially popular among seniors, pickleball now skews much younger.
“It’s gotten huge at the college level. There are a huge amount of high school players. It’s getting adopted by young people, and they’re really making it their game.” – (Vince Signorelli)
A Bright Future for Pickleball and Vulcan
Professional pickleball is now a major attraction. The tournaments, according to Signorelli, are “quite a spectacle.” Vulcan partnered early with the PPA Tour, which sponsors pro players.
Tournaments can host thousands of participants and 8,000–10,000 spectators, with games broadcast on sports channels. For many, whether they play for fun or aim to go pro, Signorelli believes, “it’s a game for life.”
News in Brief: Vulcan Pickleball’s Revolution
Hot Springs-based Vulcan Sporting Goods Co. has risen as a leader in the rising pickleball industry, creating the official ball for major pro tours. Producing 16,000 balls daily, Vulcan has played a key role in the sport’s rapid growth, especially among younger players, with courts now found across the country.
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