Christian Alshon’s Rally Scoring Debate: Christian Alshon, a prominent voice in professional pickleball, has softened his stance on rally scoring after a conversation with Major League Pickleball (MLP) Commissioner Samin Odhwani. Initially opposed to the switch from rally scoring to side-out scoring, Alshon now understands the reasoning behind it.
The Conversation That Changed Alshon’s Mind
In a recent appearance on the PicklePod, Christian Alshon shared how his opinion changed after speaking with Samin Odhwani. Alshon was initially hesitant about the shift from rally scoring to traditional side-out scoring.
However, Odhwani explained that while some MLP fans might resist the change, it would appeal to the larger 20 million pickleball players in the U.S. who are more familiar with traditional scoring.
“He was like, you know, [there are] 60,000, 100,000 pickleball players that follow pickleball. And those people are going to be the ones who might be a little more upset or not liking the change from rally scoring to traditional. But there’s 20 million pickleball players in the states–those are the people who will be much more interested in traditional scoring.” – (Alshon)
Odhwani’s argument was that traditional scoring simplifies the game, making it easier for new and casual fans to follow. This change also shortens match times, making broadcasts more accessible. Plus, aligning the MLP with the larger pickleball community by using traditional scoring would create a more consistent experience across both professional tours.
Christian Alshon on why Major League Pickeball switched to traditional scoring
After two events, is there a case for reverting to rally scoring? Which do you prefer? pic.twitter.com/7QKOgVFrBh
— The Dink Pickleball (@Pickleball) May 5, 2025
Growing Support for the Change
Although some initial resistance to the change remained, it appears the move to side-out scoring is gaining traction. Zane Navratil, a multiple-time MLP champion, posted a poll on X asking fans their opinion, and the majority favored the switch.
“It’s not really for the people who are currently in pickleball; it’s more for the people who are going to get into pickleball. When he explained that to me, it made a lot of sense. Can’t really argue that.” – (Alshon)
With the first two @MajorLeaguePB events in the books, what do you prefer for MLP?
— Zane Navratil (@ZaneNavratil) May 5, 2025
A Positive Shift in Perspective
Alshon’s change of heart is a notable moment, especially from a player known for his strong opinions. It reflects a broader trend where players and fans are beginning to understand the long-term benefits of the change. The move toward traditional scoring may be the first step in a larger effort to grow pickleball’s popularity.
News in Brief: Christian Alshon’s Rally Scoring Debate
Christian Alshon, a top pro pickleball player, changed his mind about the switch from rally to side-out scoring after speaking with MLP Commissioner Samin Odhwani. Odhwani explained that the change would appeal to new fans and simplify broadcasts, helping to grow the sport. The move is gaining support.
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