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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Let me guess. He moved south after retiring from a job in “waste management”.
Smart, besides the training is easier, just 12oz curls.
Proves it’s not ALWAYS them, BooBoo.
I’m guessing alcohol was involved.
Sports are getting violent. I went to a fight, and a pickle ball game broke out.
“waste management”.
Union representative no doubt.
Lol.
Folks who live near pickleball courts complain about the noise produced when the paddle makes contact with the ball.
Anger Issues.
These Quisp vs Quake arguments are getting out of hand.
He seems nice.
As an aside, “sapienza” is the Italian word for “wisdom.”
Yikes! Everybody thought Hell’s Grannies were tough!
Bocce is not an Olympic sport. But if curling is, why not bocce?
I strongly urge the Olympic committee to consider it. Mainly because it would be my last chance to become a famous Olympic athlete, and get my picture on cereal boxes.
These two look like they play for keeps.
Groucho said in one of his movies upon being informed his application to a country club was turned down, "I wouldn't want to be a member of any club who would have me as a member anyway."
Evidently hoity toity snobs have lowered their membership standards in the decades since Groucho's remark.
Was there betting on the games?
They should have been left alone till every last one was bleeding and lost at least one tooth. Lots of bruises on the face too. Country club indeed. LOL
Pickleball Hooligans. Good thing it wasn’t Croquet.
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