Posted on 02/12/2026 7:25:46 AM PST by DFG
Police arrested a couple in Florida after a game of pickleball allegedly descended into a massive brawl involving more than 20 people.
Anthony Sapienza, 63, and his wife Julianne, 51, were detained following the fight at Spruce Creek, a country club not far from Daytona Beach.
As reported by People, the Sapienzas were taking on another couple on the morning of Super Bowl Sunday when tensions came to the boil.
Before long, both police officers and fire and rescue were called to the country club in response to 'a physical fight in progress on the pickleball court' involving 'over 20 individuals.'
According to the police affidavit, the teams hurled insults at each other, with Anthony Sapienza accused of yelling: 'Your wife is a c***!'
After he was confronted by the woman's husband, Sapienza 'then approached him and punched him on the left side of the face and struck him with a pickleball paddle, causing significant bleeding,' police allege.
The man was rushed to the hospital for treatment after allegedly suffering a laceration above his eye. Anthony Sapienza is also said to have 'forcefully' pushed the man’s wife to the ground as she tried to help her husband.
Another individual, aged 70, claimed to have tried to break up the brawl, only to be punched in the face by Anthony Sapienza. Their nose reportedly began 'to bleed profusely.'
Police were called but, according to the affidavit, Anthony and Julianne Sapienza fled the scene before being tracked down and arrested.
It's said the pickleball game first became 'heated' when Anthony Sapienza accused their opponents of going into the 'kitchen,' an area at the front of the court where players are banned from volleying the ball.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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There is such a thing as being too competitive
It’s all fun nd games until someone get’s punched in the pickle balls.

"Some guys just can't handle Florida"
“Anthony Sapienza, 63, and his wife Julianne, 51, were detained following the fight at Spruce Creek, a country club not far from Daytona Beach.” They say exercise is good for the elderly.
Ortho surgeons love pickelball.
I’m going down to bike week in Daytona in a few weeks. Maybe I should worry more about violent pickle ball players than bikers.
This incident will probably renew calls to regulate this dangerous sport.
But remember, folks. When pickleball is outlawed, only outlaws will play pickleball.
LOL. That’s fun.
“Anthony Sapienza accused of yelling: ‘Your wife is a c***!’”
Florida couple?.....residential perhaps but that’s a yankee last name if I’ve ever heard one.......that’s the problem with northerners moving South.......they have the disgusting habit of trashing it up.
I actually considered joining a senior league near me. Then I had a talk with one of the workers. He mentioned all the injuries he witnessed. I think I’ll stick with bocce.
ROTFL! Prickleball. What will they come up with next? The Home Edition of curling?
Hahaha
Sounds like the Costanzas got into it with the Seinfelds.
I wonder if he is a “made” man?
Roving gangs of geriatric pickle ball gangs. I saw one old guy at a pickle ball court with a necklace made of false teeth from all his victims.
“Anthony Sapienza is alleged to have used the pickleball paddle as a deadly weapon”.
Sapienza leader of the infamous Daytona Crew. You can’t dodge the Daytonas.
Normally I’d say booze was involved but Florida senior citizens can get cranky.
Does the US have an ICE hating USA Bocce ball team for the Italian Olympics?
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