A dispute over a rule led to a brawl during a pickleball game at Central Florida country club, officials said, when a player hit his opponent in the face with a paddle and knocked him to the ground before others intervened.
A 63-year-old man was charged Sunday with two counts of battery on a person 65 or older and one count of battery on his 51-year-old wife, 65 or older, who was involved in a fight in Port Orange, according to an arrest affidavit.
Both playing another married couple, they start arguing about hitting shots in what is known as the kitchen, a spot marked on either side of the net. As a rule, players can take a shot in that area only after the ball lands there; Otherwise they must escape.
The players exchanged insults, and at the end of the match, the man insulted his male opponent’s wife. The men exchanged words, and the 63-year-old man attacked his opponent, according to the affidavit.
Matt Thompson, an attorney for the man, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Around 20 players were involved in the brawl, the affidavit said.
