From the desk of:
PICKLEBALL COMMISSIONER CHRIS ALLEN
(with him sitting behind it)
February 7, 2023
Dear Fellow Pickleball Enthusiast,
When I humbly accepted the unanimous, lifetime appointment as your Commissioner of Pickleball, I knew many wonderful days lay ahead (or is it “lie ahead” — I can never keep those straight).
I also realized there would certainly be other days where I, as Pickleball Commissioner, might not be so universally loved by those who enjoy the sport.
Yes, I knew there would be some difficult days I would be obliged to trust my instincts, and make the “tough calls” for the good of the sport.
Today, is one of those days.
After careful study and deliberation — weighing all the options and consequences, (both intended and unintended) — I believe three things need to occur for our favorite game of Pickleball to take its rightful place in the worldwide arena of organized sports:
- 1. The future of Pickleball is Rally Scoring.
- 2. The future of Pickleball is primarily Indoors.
- 3. The growth of Pickleball will be greatly accelerated by Leagues; not tournaments.
Though my title is completely fictitious, my lifetime tenure entirely self-appointed, I nevertheless pledge to work tirelessly in an effort to continuously earn the trust you never placed in me, and to expand and evolve this great sport to levels beyond the wildest dreams of its visionary founders.
Among my highest priorities as your Pickleball Commissioner is that we achieve these monumental successes while simultaneously having a great deal of fun along the way.
We’re talkin’ lots of fun.
And my most fervent wish is that you will join me in the having of the fun.
See you on the courts,
Chris Allen,
your self-important, self-appointed, but always beloved…
Commissioner of Pickleball
P.S. As your Pickleball Commissioner, my door is always open — except for those times when it is securely closed (and dead-bolted, with a towel stuffed into the crack at the bottom). Please feel free to contact me by clicking the link below: