Pickleball Fight at Florida Country Club Ends with Felony Charges
February 13, 2026
A pickleball match at a central Florida country club turned violent after a dispute over the 'kitchen' rule. The rule says players can only hit the ball in a marked area once it lands there, or else they must avoid it. A 63-year-old man and his 51-year-old wife were playing against another married couple. The argument started over shots made in the kitchen. Insults were exchanged, and the man insulted his opponent’s wife. Words led to violence when the 63-year-old man hit his opponent in the face with a paddle and punched him on the ground. According to an arrest affidavit, up to 20 players joined the fight. The man was charged Sunday with two counts of felony battery on a person 65 or older. His wife was charged with one count of felony battery on a person 65 or older. Matt Thompson, the man's attorney, did not respond to requests for comment.
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Tags:
Pickleball
Battery
Florida
Brawl
Felony Charges
Country Club
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