USA Pickleball and ASTM Join Forces: ASTM International, a prominent leader in global standards development, publishes approximately 13,000 standards annually and has recently turned its focus toward pickleball. As equipment manufacturers have made significant advances in recent years, USA Pickleball recognized the need to implement advanced testing techniques to establish paddle specifications that will uphold the integrity of the sport.
In response, USA Pickleball has partnered with ASTM International’s sports equipment committee, which has created a new subcommittee dedicated to pickleball equipment and facilities. This collaboration aims to ensure that the standards governing pickleball equipment evolve alongside the sport itself.
A New Phase for USA Pickleball
“USA Pickleball’s equipment certification has philosophically taken a ‘crawl, walk, run’ approach,” said Carl Schmits, USA Pickleball’s chief technical officer. Schmits emphasized the importance of developing a process that is timely, affordable, and implementable, with significant input from manufacturers. “We’re excited to announce we’ve now entered the ‘run’ phase,” he added, marking a pivotal moment in the organization’s commitment to equipment integrity.
Founded in 1898, ASTM International boasts 35,000 members across 150 countries. The organization is known for its commitment to transparency and collaboration in developing technical standards. Dan Smith, ASTM’s vice president for technical committee operations, stated, “You have to have the expertise in order to start a subcommittee… There are no barriers to entry into ASTM, so we invite all interested stakeholders.”
The Importance of Testing
Given that pickleball is played on a court measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, innovations that increase the speed and spin rate of balls can significantly affect the game. “Both power and spin need to be aligned with that relatively small footprint of the pickleball court,” Schmits explained. With paddles capable of sending balls across the net at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and spin rates reaching 2,400 revolutions per minute, the integrity of the game hinges on these measurements.
In a short period, USA Pickleball has developed testing techniques that measure the power and spin rates produced by paddles. Schmits noted that the transition from indirect tests to direct or dynamic testing was completed in about six months. “We’re directly testing those attributes of the paddle that we’re trying to bound, and that’s power and spin,” he said.
Data-Driven Testing and Collaboration
By employing data from high-speed cameras, radar, and embedded sensors, USA Pickleball anticipates having reliable testing for spin rates by the first quarter of 2025. “We’re very excited about that,” Schmits stated. “We do take care in this kind of research. It’s very data driven. We look for good data, not just data, and information and data that we can trust.”
The process of developing testing and specifications has not occurred in isolation. Feedback from industry stakeholders, including pickleball players, has been integral to shaping the standards. “It was a very thorough process,” Schmits mentioned. “There was a great deal of enrollment with many critical stakeholders in this process.”
A Collaborative Response from Manufacturers
The response from manufacturers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire for standardized testing methods. “They asked for it. It’s been embraced,” Schmits said. Manufacturers believe that the sport has been accelerating too quickly, altering its essence. “A core philosophy of ours is to protect the integrity of the sport, which includes its nature as a game of finesse,” he explained.
Once finalized, testing methods and specifications will be made publicly available, enabling manufacturers to align their products with the new standards. “This will be pickleball’s own standard,” Schmits noted. “Our tests are open book. There’s no surprises or anything.”
Paddles that fail to meet the established power and spin rate specifications will be phased out in a two-step process, conducted as quickly as possible to avoid commercial disruption. Schmits underscored the importance of creating a universal standard that facilitates ongoing innovation in pickleball. “It’s so important for the growth of the sport to avoid fragmentation,” he warned.
Ensuring a Level Playing Field
As long as paddles meet the specifications for power and spin rate, manufacturers are free to innovate. “We won’t tell you how to build a paddle,” Schmits asserted. “Just meet the specification that everyone else is. We try to keep a level playing field there.”
News in Brief: USA Pickleball and ASTM Join Forces
ASTM International is collaborating with USA Pickleball to establish new testing methods for pickleball equipment standards. This partnership aims to ensure that paddle specifications maintain the integrity of the sport as equipment advances. Carl Schmits, USA Pickleball’s chief technical officer, noted the organization’s transition into a ‘run’ phase, with a focus on data-driven testing. The new standards are expected to enhance safety and preserve the game’s essence, emphasizing finesse. Manufacturers are encouraged to adapt to these standards as USA Pickleball seeks to avoid fragmentation within the sport.
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