The Pickleball Connection

Welcome to The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass discuss pickleball in 2025, especially what they hope will change this year. Pickleball tournament costs have been rising and pickleball paddle regulations have become really confusing. Although there needs to be better standards and accessibility in the sport, the different regulating bodies are making it hard f...

Welcome to Episode 30 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about the latest changes in Major League Pickleball (MLP), including the removal of rally scoring, as well as new rules on roster requirements and pro pickleball player eligibility. How will these MLP changes affect the overall landscape of professional pickleball, and UPA specifically? MLP tea...

Welcome to Episode 29 of The Pickleball Connection podcast. In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about the global growth of pickleball, specifically Club Med Cancun, where their dedicated courts have increased pickleball tournaments and games in the area. Barrett and Danea also discuss the upcoming Vintage Open tournament, which only allows players to use wooden paddles. They also talk abo...

Welcome to Episode 28 of the Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about the pro pickleball scene, including new and changing streaming services, Gabe Tardio's new contract and partnership with Ben Johns, and if paid subscriptions will affect viewership of pro pickleball. They also discuss controversy around player rankings and qualifying rounds, and how to ba...

Welcome to Episode 27 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about the latest news that Ben Johns and Collin Johns won't be playing together in 2025. What are the implications for their careers and who will they be playing with in 2025? Barrett and Danea also discuss pickleball etiquette for recreational play, pickleball partner communication and lingo,...

Welcome to Episode 26 of The Pickleball Connection Podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about the kicking incident that led to a video that has gone viral. What do you do if your opponent (or partner) is highly emotional, negative, or violent? Plus, why control and finesse is so much more important than power in pickleball and why players should focus on high percentage shots rath...

Welcome to Episode 25 of the Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about bangers vs. soft players in recreational pickleball play. So many rec pickleball players have preferences in their game style, so it's a good idea for all players to be open to all kinds of players, playing as a team, keeping a positive mindset, and why you need to focus on your own game...

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about new pickleball paddle regulations, including the formation of the UPA-A, new certification fees for paddle manufacturers, and the implications of spin limits and testing reliability. They discuss continued challenges of regulation paddle technology and if it will eliminate the fair playin...

Welcome to Episode 23 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about some pickleball strategy that can disrupt your opponents' rhythm, including dinking in the middle, lobbing, and playing against their strengths. They also discuss why rec pickleball play should be just as competitive as tournaments.

Welcome to Episode 22 of The Pickleball Connection! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass share their top tips for players who are rated 4.0 and below. The most important things you can work on are drilling that focuses on: mastering the transition zone, working on your footwork, and simplifying your swing to reduce errors. Most importantly, you should be playing to your strengths during games a...

Welcome to Episode 21 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass are talking about the latest in pickleball news, including the controversies surrounding different serving rules in Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), the newly enforced 25 percent rule regarding line calls, and why there is so much confusion caused by d...

Welcome to Episode 20 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett & Danea Bass talk about the potential adoption of the bounce serve in pro pickleball, rally scoring, and pickleball paddle speed. They also discuss the need for a unified governing body, and the relationship between organizations like the APP, PPA, and MLP. Barrett and Danea also talk about the role of Major L...

Welcome to Episode 19 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett Bass and Danea Zeigel talk pickleball controversy, including questionable and illegal serves in pro pickleball, where players like Dekel Bar have been called out for illegal pickleball serves multiple times without facing any penalties. But can serve rules be enforced, and what are potential solutions (like implem...

Welcome to Episode 18 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about ongoing pickleball paddle drama, including the inconsistency in paddle certifications, the potential dangers of using hot paddles, and the proposal to de-weaponize the serve in pickleball. The UPA feels like a big money grab, so should they be allowed to certify pickleball paddles before...

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass share a story about a player being a jerk to their partner during a recreational game and how important it is to treat your partner with respect. They also talk about the PPA Kansas City and Ben Johns & Collin Johns' performances in recent tournaments, and whether they should keep playing togeth...

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Pickleball Connection! In this episode, Danea and Barrett Bass talk about the controversy surrounding Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the alleged criticism of the league by Collin Johns. They also discuss if there any advantages to choosing a pickleball paddle that enhances your weaknesses instead of your strengths. Plus, does the name "pickleball" hold the sport bac...

Welcome to Episode 15 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Danea and Barrett Bass talk about Major League Pickleball's (MLP) tournament and all the paddle drama (with players struggling to get their paddles approved for play). They also discuss whether pickleball paddle regulation should be a focus in pro pickleball, and the potential impacts of regulating pickleball balls. Plus,...

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass talk about the potential for 3D-printed pickleball balls, which should make the game much quieter. Will taking the sound away from pickleball be beneficial for the growth of the game? Also, what is an illegal pickleball serve and what is the pickleball etiquette for someone who continually serves il...

Welcome to Episode 13 of The Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode Danea and Barrett Bass discuss a controversial line call in a recent Major League Pickleball (MLP) game and the need for improved pickleball line calling and technology, why players being split up during open play can help with inclusivity in the sport, and the pros and cons of using high-end paddles during recreational pi...

Welcome to Episode 12 of The Pickleball Connection! In this episode, Barrett and Danea Bass discuss the pros and cons of playing pickleball with your significant other and how to know if it will affect your relationship (and will it be for the better or for the worse?). What will happen if a 4.0 woman and 4.0 man play against each other — learn about the equity (or lack thereof) between male and f...

Welcome to Episode 11 of the Pickleball Connection podcast! In this episode, Danea and Barrett Bass discuss recent pickleball paddle regulations, pickleball cliques, and how to play against constant lobbers. Plus, should you or shouldn't you celebrate after a point? What do the pickleball etiquette rules say? Learn more about why it's important for all pickleball players to be adaptable and unders...

Welcome to Episode 10 of The Pickleball connection podcast! In this episode, Barrett and Danea talk about the latest in the world of pickleball, including Joola's lawsuit against USA Pickleball and what is the ethical responsibility of rec players using de-listed paddles? They also discuss the pro pickleball player who got in trouble on a hot mic during last week's PPA tournament (and what he said...

In this episode of The Pickleball Connection podcast, Barrett and Danea discuss the recent (and ongoing) controversy surrounding a number of pickleball paddles being de-listed by USA Pickleball. They also recap the PPA Texas Open, the experience of playing in tournaments, and the differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball play. PLUS - Should players be allowed to play music during rec pickl...

In this episode of the Pickleball Connection podcast, Barrett and Danea discuss the controversy surrounding the United Pickleball Association suspension of pro pickleball player Andrei Daescu for allegedly using a foreign substance on his paddle — and his official statement. Plus, learn pickleball etiquette you should know in recreational pickleball play, the banning of some paddles by USA Pickleb...

In this episode of The Pickleball Connection podcast, Barrett and Danea talk about the recent controversy over line calls in professional pickleball tournaments, and if there should be better consistency or technology for accurate calls. They also discuss the pickleball etiquette rule of paddle tapping at the end of a game, and if it's bad sportsmanship to leave without it. Plus, what is rally sco...