Roscoe Bellamy’s Pickleball Waiver Move: The SoCal Hard Eights have claimed Roscoe Bellamy from the Columbus Sliders during the first waiver period of the 2025 Major League Pickleball season. In return, the Hard Eights sent Ivan Jakovljevic to the Sliders, who then waived him and picked up Ross Whittaker.
Bellamy Joins Hard Eights
Roscoe Bellamy had stepped in for CJ Klinger at 2025 MLP Columbus, going 4-6 in matches and helping the Columbus Sliders to a 3-2 team record. The SoCal Hard Eights liked what they saw and claimed to add him to their roster. Bellamy previously played for the UCLA Bruins.
Whittaker Lands with Sliders
To make room for Roscoe Bellamy, the Hard Eights traded Ivan Jakovljevic to Columbus. But the Columbus Sliders decided to waive Jakovljevic and instead picked up Ross Whittaker, a newly signed pro who had filled in for the Carolina Hogs as an on-site alternate at MLP Columbus.
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Exception to the Rules
Normally, Ross Whittaker would not have been allowed to be claimed off waivers. According to league rules, players who signed UPA contracts after the Free Agency Drafts (which ended on March 2) are not eligible for waiver claims. Whittaker signed on May 2.
However, MLP made an exception in this case. The league allowed the Sliders to add Whittaker because he lives in Columbus. The goal was to help teams grow their fanbases in local cities.
What Happens Next?
The second waiver period is expected to happen in early June after MLP Daytona Beach. During that time, UPA-signed players will be reviewed individually to see if they can join teams. For now, teams can still adjust their bench players before the end of the first waiver period.
To do this, teams must email the league by Tuesday at noon ET. They must list who they want to add and who they will drop.
Updated Team Rosters
SoCal Hard Eights: Blaine Hovenier, Roscoe Bellamy, Ryan Fu, Judit Castillo, Irina Tereschenko, Lauren Hidalgo-Smith
Columbus Sliders: Andrei Daescu, CJ Klinger, Ross Whittaker, Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, Marcela Hones
News in Brief: Roscoe Bellamy’s Pickleball Waiver Move
The SoCal Hard Eights added Roscoe Bellamy from the Columbus Sliders during the first MLP waiver period. Columbus picked up Ross Whittaker after waiving Ivan Jakovljevic. MLP made a special rule exception to allow the move. Teams can still make bench changes by emailing the league before Tuesday noon ET.
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