We’re coming in hot with:
🔹 Pink balls vs green sparks unexpected court debates
🔹 Pickleball tech quietly changing how games get called
🔹 “Just one more game” spirals into late-night regret
Plus, Gordon Gebert from NPL joins us to talk turning casual rec games into a nationwide competitive ladder. The system gives everyday players a way to track progress and compete with purpose.
🎧 Listen now before line calls go fully automated.
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Intro
Speaker 1:
This is Big Dink Energy—the pickleball podcast that’s half insight, half nonsense, and all entertainment. If you love pickleball, don’t take yourself too seriously, and think a little trash talk makes the game better… welcome home. This is where life and pickleball intersect.
We celebrate the chaos, call out the nonsense, and put the fun back in dysfunction. You’re either in or you’re out—and if you’re still listening, you’re in.
Let’s go.
Kitchen Talk: Ball Color Debate
Speaker 1:
There are a million apps for tracking your score… but how many track your memories?
Speaker 0:
Now there’s one.
Speaker 1:
Dink & Dash is changing that—badges, journals, photos, pickle pals—your whole pickleball story in one place.
Speaker 2:
Recently, someone asked in a pickleball Facebook group: What’s the big deal with optic green balls? Why won’t people play with other colors?
Some responses:
- Neon yellow-green is easiest for the human eye.
- Orange works better indoors.
- Some players are just ball snobs.
- The bossiest person picks the ball.
Speaker 0:
I like pink balls. The green ones are ugly. Why not make pickleball more fun?
Speaker 1:
Scientifically, neon yellow is easier to track—that’s why construction vests are that color.
Speaker 2:
Sure, but if someone brings a pink ball… just play. People complain and don’t even bring their own ball.
Speaker 1:
Exactly. I don’t care what color it is.
Speaker 2:
Pickleball might be the only sport where someone brings the ball and still gets judged.
Speaker 0:
If you’re colorblind, it actually matters though.
Speaker 1:
If you are colorblind, let us know what works best.
Speaker 2:
And tell us what balls you’re using.
Speaker 1:
Send us pictures of your balls. I’m not a doctor—but I’ll take a look.
Mailbag
Speaker 1:
From our mailbag—Claire Frank says: “Great stuff.”
Claire, short, sweet, perfect. We appreciate it.
Just the Tip
Speaker 2:
Play the point in front of you.
The medal isn’t won three points from now.
Players lose when they think ahead instead of staying present. The best players stay locked into the moment.
Guest Interview: Gordon Gabbard
Speaker 1:
Our guest toured with KISS, Mötley Crüe, and Jefferson Starship… and now runs a pickleball empire.
Founder of the National Pickleball League, creator of the Slam Master Pro, and president of a pickleball TV network—Gordon Gabbard joins us.
Speaker 1:
You went from rock star to pickleball mogul—what happened?
Gordon:
I’m just trying to stay out of trouble.
Rock Story
Gordon:
Dee Snider once called out a crowd section for being lame all night…
Turns out it was the handicapped section.
His manager punched him after the show.
NASA Story
Gordon:
A fan invited me to a NASA launch. I got full access—closer than you can imagine.
Another time, I tried to get into a launch and got stopped—until Jack Nicholson stepped in and said, “Let the guy in.”
NPL (National Pickleball League)
Speaker 1:
What is MPL?
Gordon:
It’s simple—join, play rec games, enter your scores, and climb the ladder.
You can see where you rank locally and nationally.
Speaker 1:
So it gives rec play purpose?
Gordon:
Exactly. You’re not just playing—you’re progressing.
Training Paddle: Slam Master Pro
Gordon:
It’s a paddle with a cord attached that trains mechanics.
It forces compact swings and proper contact. Great for beginners through pros.
Pickleball Philosophy
Speaker 1:
Rec players need to grow the game—not gatekeep it.
Gordon:
Exactly. MPL removes the “clickiness” and brings players together across levels.
Pick 6: Pickleball Lies
Speaker 2:
“I usually play better than this.”
Speaker 0:
“That was intentional.”
Speaker 1:
“I wasn’t trying.”
Speaker 2:
“I’m a little rusty.”
Speaker 0:
“I just started playing.”
Speaker 1:
“Just one more game.”
News: Pickleball Tech
Speaker 2:
Pickleball’s next evolution might be tech—not paddles.
- Electronic line calling is coming
- Replay systems and analytics are growing
- Tools like SwingVision are expanding
Question:
Does this improve the game—or ruin the backyard feel?
Speaker 1:
For pros—yes.
For rec players—keep it simple.
Outro
Speaker 1:
That’s it for this episode.
Got a better take? Hit us up at bdepodcast.com.
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Until next time…
Keep the dink soft and the energy big.