St. Louis Shock’s MiLP Roster: The St. Louis Shock has finalized its Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) roster with 110 players, including individuals from nine states. On April 24th, the team hosted a signing ceremony at Chicken N Pickle St. Charles to celebrate this milestone, marking the formation of one of the largest pickleball teams in the U.S.
A Diverse Roster
The Shock’s MiLP roster includes players from across the country, with team members hailing from states like California, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and more. The players range in age from 10 to 73, reflecting pickleball’s broad appeal across generations.
The team will wear Shock-branded uniforms as they compete in various tournaments nationwide. Drake Vincent, a 10-year-old player, expressed his excitement about joining the team, saying,
My main goal is to become a pickleball pro one day. I’m honored to be representing the STL Shock and play for my city. I’m so happy that I get to be exposed to all these brilliant players.” – (Vincent)
The Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony at Chicken N Pickle brought together over 80 players. Attendees received signed roster certificates and heard from team leaders about the upcoming season. Sheri O’Neill, a MiLP player from Los Angeles, shared her excitement about joining the team.
“I’m excited to join the best team. Great energy, great group of people, I really like the message behind it all, they are very encouraging to everyone.” – (Sheri O’Neill)
Competitive Play and Community Outreach
The Shock’s MiLP players will compete in various tournaments, with the first event being the MiLP State Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 27th-28th. Three Shock teams will participate in a Dream Ticket Event offering winners a chance to compete at the 2025 The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship.
In addition to competition, Shock MiLP players will engage in community outreach programs throughout the year, helping to grow the sport of pickleball in the region.
Future Growth and Opportunities
Andrew Haines, the Chief Operating Officer of the St. Louis Shock, noted that the program has exceeded expectations.
“What we’ve built in just a few months exceeds our most optimistic projections.” – (Andrew Haines)
“The response has been overwhelming, with players eager to represent the Shock brand in tournaments across the region and even nationwide. This program creates a true developmental pipeline that connects recreational players to the professional ranks, something that’s been missing in pickleball until now.” – (Andrew Haines)
The program is seen as a key step in connecting recreational pickleball players to professional opportunities. The Shock organization also announced that sponsorship opportunities are available for the MiLP program, offering businesses a chance to connect with the growing pickleball community.
“This program represents our commitment to growing pickleball at all levels. While our MLP team competes on the sport’s biggest stage, our MiLP program creates opportunities for developing players to experience team competition, receive coaching, and represent a professional organization. The enthusiasm we’ve seen from players and sponsors alike confirms we’re building something special.” – (Andrew Haines)
News in Brief: St. Louis Shock’s MiLP Roster
The St. Louis Shock has finalized its MiLP roster, featuring 110 players from nine states. The team held a signing ceremony on April 24th at Chicken N Pickle St. Charles. Players range in age from 10 to 73, and the team will compete in national tournaments while engaging in community outreach
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