Staten Island’s Pickleball Pops at Mets House

St. George’s Mets House swung last night with Staten Island’s pickleball day, spiking NYC’s spring. Coach Jay Patel rallied 50 at Citi Field’s fan hub, a free paddle fest. It’s borough swings—rackets lent, pure SI vibe. A kid whacked a serve; a pro smashed back. ‘Staten paddles—this is it,’ Patel says, tossing balls. The courts turned lively.

The bash’s a one-off—April 5’s tie-in, it doubled since RSVPs, packing nets by 10 a.m. Patel’s a Richmond player; last night’s crowd hit max—volleys flew. A latecomer nabbed a paddle; cheers rang—NYC grit glowed. Mets swag dropped—prizes spiked hype. #SIPickle trended; Bronx wants a swing.

Some griped—’Too sweaty,’ sniped a newbie, dodging sweat. Space pinched—latecomers watched; game held. A net sagged—fixed quick; play rolled. Manhattan wants in, but St. George owns it—paddles rule. Mets House never bounced so hard.

Patel’s teasing a tourney, maybe a park if summer bites. ‘NYC’s sport—this hits it,’ he says, stacking rackets. The day’s a Staten win—grit meets swing. It’s a paddle blast; catch the next. Bring a grip—balls fly.