Taking Pickleball to New HEIGHTS with Sorry NOT Sorry!

 

Chris Cali's Unapologetic Recaps and Unfiltered Takes Captivate Fans

Chris Cali, the irreverent voice behind the popular YouTube channel "Sorry Not Sorry Pickleball," has carved out a unique niche in the world of pickleball content creation. With his unfiltered commentary and fearless roasting of players and moments, Cali has amassed a dedicated following of fans who revel in his unvarnished takes on the professional pickleball circuit.

From his humble beginnings as an avid viewer Cali has evolved into a one-man pickleball media empire. His weekly recaps of major tournaments, peppered with hilarious critiques and zero-filter analysis, have become appointment viewing for pickle ballers seeking an alternative to the traditional, sanitized coverage.

But Cali's impact extends beyond mere entertainment. His platform has emerged as a forum for frank discussions about the sport's most pressing issues, from controversial equipment rules to the never-ending debate over the merits of the PPA and MLP tours. With an everyman's perspective shaped by his own experiences as a 4.0-level player, Cali speaks the language of the amateur player base, a voice often drowned out amid the elite-level discourse.

Now, as pickleball continues its exponential rise, Cali finds himself at the forefront of a new wave of content creators shaping the narrative around the sport's ascension into the mainstream. And he's doing it all while staying, well, sorry not sorry.

1. 00:00:00, Introducing Chris Cali from Sorry Not Sorry!

In this opening segment, host Jordan Briones introduces Chris Cali, the man behind the wildly popular "Sorry Not Sorry Pickleball" YouTube channel. Cali's unapologetic approach to recapping professional tournaments and roasting players has earned him a dedicated fanbase of viewers who appreciate his candid, unfiltered commentary on the pickleball world.

2. 00:02:55, How he got started...

Cali recounts his humble beginnings as a pickleball fan, initially drawn to the sport by the unintentionally hilarious post-game interviews of monotone legend JW Johnson. Realizing that many recreational players were unaware of the burgeoning professional scene, Cali saw an opportunity to bring those high-level matches to a wider audience through concise, entertaining recaps.

3. 00:05:33, Favorite Player on the tour?

When asked about his favorite player on tour, Cali doesn't hesitate: CJ Clinger, the young lefty with a powerful game and an infectious positive attitude. Cali admires Clinger's rise through the ranks and appreciates how easy it is for fans to get behind such a likable up-and-comer.

4. 00:08:24, The nicest player on tour is...

On the subject of the tour's nicest player, Cali singles out Anna Leigh Waters, citing a fun wreck match he once played with the pro as evidence of her approachable, down-to-earth demeanor. While many see Waters as intense and even angry on court, Cali appreciates her passion and the excitement it brings to matches.

5. 00:11:14, Pro Roast Session???

In a hilarious sidebar, Cali muses about the potential for organizing an actual roast of professional pickleball players, an idea inspired by his own experiences getting playfully mocked by the likes of Zane Navratil. While one attempt fell flat, Cali seems keen to capitalize on the entertainment value of good-natured roasting within the pickleball community.

6. 00:16:55, The Superiority of the MLP Format

Shifting gears, the conversation turns to the respective merits of the PPA and MLP tours. Cali is unequivocal in his preference for the MLP format, which he sees as better designed for mainstream appeal with its focus on team identities, rally scoring, and a true playoff structure culminating in a "Pickleball Super Bowl."

7. 00:19:56, Will Ben depart from his brother Collin?

The pair dive into speculation about whether Ben Johns, widely regarded as the world's best player, will eventually split from his longtime partner and brother, Collin. Cali sees potential dream team combinations for Ben, should he decide to go a different direction in pursuit of an elite lefty-righty tandem.

8. 00:23:00, The Advantage of a Lefty

Building on the lefty-righty discussion, Cali outlines his belief that elite left-handed players offer a distinct strategic advantage by creating different angles and speed dynamics that can disrupt traditional patterns of play. He envisions a scenario of two "Ben Johnses," one lefty and one righty, as a potentially unbeatable combination.

9. 27:40 Hooks Of The Week - Sorry Not Sorry Segment

Chris discusses his new segment called "Hooks of the Week," where he highlights instances of players appearing to call balls out that were arguably in or vice versa. He explains that Close Call Replay, which offers high-frame-rate replay technology, sponsors the segment. Chris reveals that players have been reaching out to him, providing clips of alleged incorrect line calls from matches, asking him to feature them in the segment. He even mentions a clip where professional player Salome Devidze admitted in an interview to having intentionally hooked opponents on two occasions in her career, which Chris included in the segment.

The discussion highlights the ongoing issue of line calling in professional pickleball tournaments, with Chris expressing frustration at the lack of consistent and reliable line call technology being used. He criticizes the PPA for denying Close Call Replay's offer to provide their high-frame-rate replay service for free at an upcoming tournament. Chris seems to relish the controversial nature of the "Hooks of the Week" segment, acknowledging that it calls out players for incorrect line calls but also provides a platform for discussing and addressing the issue. The segment has garnered attention and feedback from players and fans alike, reflecting the passionate debates surrounding line calling and fairness in the sport.

10. 00:28:55, Issues with Line Referees in Pickleball

The episode takes a candid turn as Cali and Briones dig into the sport's persistent issues with line calls and inadequate video replay systems. Cali recounts a shocking admission from pro Salome Devidze that she has, on two occasions, admittedly cheated by wrongfully claiming a ball was out when it was in.

11. 00:31:33, Cheating in Pickleball Matches

Expanding on the cheating discussion, Cali expresses disappointment that while top-level players may occasionally engage in gamesmanship, the current replay rules essentially enable such behavior by limiting video review challenges. He argues for a more robust system to ensure fairness and integrity.

12. 00:34:38, Connor Garnett has the YIPS?

In one of the episode's most compelling segments, Cali breaks down the bemusing saga of Connor Garnett's well-documented struggles with the "yips" - a psychological affliction causing him to miss an inordinate number of serves. Cali empathizes with Garnett's plight while questioning some of the unorthodox approaches taken to address the issue.

13. 00:40:38, The Yips in Baseball, Golf, and other sports

Drawing parallels to other sports, Cali shares his own deep dive into researching the yips phenomenon, which has derailed careers across baseball, golf, and more. He reveals the psychological underpinnings often attributed to the condition and weighs potential remedies Garnett could explore.

14. 00:46:15, The Controversy with USA Pickleball Association

Shifting back to equipment, Cali unpacks the recent controversy surrounding USA Pickleball's removal of certain "Gen 3" paddles from its approved list. While the move ostensibly addressed power and grit concerns, Cali voices skepticism over potential conflicts of interest and politicking occurring behind the scenes.

15. 00:48:59, The Impact of Power Paddles in the game

On the subject of powerful paddle technology, Cali weighs the fine line between evolution and excess. While admitting the current crop of Gen 3 paddles border on being too powerful, he questions where the line should be drawn to preserve the integrity of rallies and maintain the sport's essence.

16. 00:51:46, The APP's Solution to growing the sport

Looking at the grassroots level, Cali expresses excitement over the APP Tour's experimental "Shuffle" format, where players rotate partners throughout the day in a round-robin style. He sees it as a clever way to showcase different player combinations and cater to fans' appetite for novelty.

17. 00:54:26, The Super Bowl of Pickleball

However, Cali reserves his greatest enthusiasm for the MLP's looming "Super Bowl of Pickleball" - the culmination of the tour's first-ever full regular season and playoff structure. He believes this monumental one-off event could be the catalyst to finally draw mainstream attention to the professional game.

18. 01:02:27, The Impact of Pro Players on the Game isn't what you think

In a fascinating aside, Cali teases an upcoming video experiment from fellow creator Maddie Pickles designed to quantify the true impact of elite professionals when playing against amateurs. Early statistics suggest the performance gulf is even more dramatic than most might assume - a testament to just how rarefied the skillset is at the highest levels.

With his trademark candor and unrelenting passion for the sport, Chris Cali has established himself as the voice of the every-player in the pickleball realm. As the game continues to captivate new fans across the globe, you can expect Cali's "Sorry Not Sorry" swagger to remain front and center in shaping the narrative.

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Pickleball's Provocative Pundit: Chris Cali Tells It Like It Is

In the rapidly expanding universe of pickleball content creators, few voices resonate quite like Chris Cali's. As the mind behind the wildly popular "Sorry Not Sorry Pickleball" YouTube channel, Cali has carved out a niche as the sport's preeminent provocateur, delivering unvarnished takes and candid critiques with a refreshing lack of filter.

But don't mistake Cali's irreverent persona for mere entertainment. Beneath the roasting of players and tounge-in-cheek nicknames lies a deep well of knowledge and passion that has transformed the 4.0-level amateur into an increasingly influential voice in shaping the narrative around professional pickleball's ascent.

From his humble origins as a viewer entranced by the unintentionally hilarious interviews of monotone legend JW Johnson, Cali recognized an opportunity to bring the fledgling pro scene to a wider audience through concise, fun recaps. What began as a casual hobby has blossomed into a one-man media empire, complete with weekly tournament breakdowns, lively debates, and even a signature "Hooks of the Week" segment dedicated to calling out the game's injudicious line calls and lack of video review.

It's this unabashed willingness to fearlessly mock the status quo that has endeared Cali to his legion of fans. But his impact transcends mere entertainment. His platform has emerged as a forum for frank discussions on everything from officiating disputes and equipment controversies to the merits of the rival PPA and MLP tours.

Cali is unequivocal in his preference for the ascendant MLP model, which he sees as better designed to cultivate a sustainable professional ecosystem complete with franchises, trades, and a much-anticipated year-end "Pickleball Super Bowl." His support is driven by a belief that this familiarity of structure will ultimately resonate with the mainstream sports audience in ways that the traditionalist PPA cannot.

That's not to say Cali is blindly deferential to the MLP. When the tour encountered an officiating fiasco at its Atlanta event, with players being overruled by line judges at an alarming rate, he didn't mince words in declaring the current system of adjudication woefully inadequate for the highest level of competition. His recounting of pro Salome Devidze's shocking admission to having intentionally fabricated line calls only furthered his case for urgently revamping video review protocols.

Love him or loathe him, there's no denying Chris Cali's bourgeoning influence in shaping the discourse around pickleball's inexorable march towards the mainstream. As the game continues to experience rapid expansion at both the professional and recreational levels, you can expect this uncompromising voice of the people to keep holding everyone's feet to the fire - even if he has to smugly remind you that he's, well, sorry not sorry.

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Time Code List

1. 00:00:00 - Introducing Chris from Sorry Not Sorry!
2. 00:02:55 - How he got started...
3. 00:05:33 - Favorite Player on the tour?
4. 00:08:24 - The nicest player on tour is...
5. 00:11:14 - Pro Roast Session???
6. 00:16:55 - The Superiority of the MLP Format
7. 00:19:56 - Will Ben depart from his brother Collin?
8. 00:23:00 - The Advantage of a Lefty
9. 00:28:55 - Issues with Line Referees in Pickleball
10. 00:27:40 Hooks Of The Week - Sorry Not Sorry Segment
11. 00:31:33 - Cheating in Pickleball Matches
12. 00:34:38 - Connor Garnett has the YIPS?
13. 00:40:38 - The Yips in Baseball, Golf, and other sports
14. 00:46:15 - The Controversy with USA Pickleball Association
15. 00:48:59 - The Impact of Power Paddles in the game
16. 00:51:46 - The APP's Solution to growing the sport
17. 00:54:26 - The Super Bowl of Pickleball
18. 01:02:27 - The Impact of Pro Players on the Game isn't what you think

On this episode of the "Briones Pickleball Podcast," hosted by Jordan Briones, special guest Chris Cali, creator of the "Sorry Not Sorry" Show is interviewed:

Key Points:

1. Introduction:

   • Jordan Briones introduces Chris Cali.
   • Chris discusses his background and his YouTube channel "Sorry Not Sorry Pickleball," where he provides unfiltered commentary on the pickleball world.

2. Content Creation:

   • Chris recaps major pickleball tournaments, including PPA, APP, and MLP events.
   • He highlights memorable moments and provides humorous takes on interviews and matches.
   • Chris started creating content to bring attention to professional pickleball, which many recreational players are unaware of.

3. Personal Background:

   • Chris shares his journey into pickleball, starting from a casual family game to becoming obsessed with the sport in 2021.
   • He balances his content creation with a full-time office job.

4. Favorite Players:

   • Chris enjoys watching CJ Klinger and Hurricane Tyra Black.
   • He appreciates players who bring personality and excitement to the game.

5. Challenges and Highlights:

   • Chris discusses the challenges of finding time to play pickleball while creating content.
   • One of his favorite experiences is meeting and interacting with top players and influencers in the pickleball community.

6. Tournaments and Gameplay:

   • Chris covers most major tournaments but occasionally misses some due to personal commitments.
   • He provides detailed insights into players’ performances and notable matches.

7. Serving Yips:

   • The conversation shifts to the serving yips experienced by some players, notably Connor Garnett.
   • Chris and Jordan discuss the psychological and technical aspects of overcoming serving issues.

8. Paddle Technology:

   • The podcast covers the controversy over Gen 3 paddles, which are powerful and have high grit.
   • Chris mentions the challenges in regulating paddle performance and the impact on gameplay.

9. MLP and APP Innovations:

   • Chris praises the MLP's new regular season format and its potential to make pickleball more exciting and accessible.
   • The APP is also trying new formats to engage viewers, like the shuffle format where players switch partners.

10. Future of Pickleball:

• Chris believes MLP has the potential to revolutionize the sport with its team-based, regular-season format culminating in a championship.
• The podcast wraps up with discussions about the future of pickleball, including potential changes and innovations.

11. Player Interactions and Roasts: - Chris shares anecdotes about interacting with professional players like Zane Navratil and Riley Newman. - They discuss the idea of having a roast of professional players, similar to comedy roasts, which Chris and Jordan find entertaining and potentially beneficial for the community.

    12. Notable Matches: - Chris recounts memorable matches, such as the dramatic comeback by William Sobek in the APP New York tournament. - They discuss the intensity and unpredictability of matches and how these moments contribute to the sport's appeal.

    13. Improving Broadcast Quality: - There is a conversation about the quality of pickleball broadcasts, with Chris criticizing some of the current production standards. - He mentions that a company called Close Call Replay offered to improve the quality of broadcasts for free, but the offer was declined.

    14. Statistical Analysis in Pickleball: - Chris mentions collaborating with Ben from Real Clear Stats, who provides detailed statistical analysis of pickleball matches. - The analysis helps in understanding player performance and the nuances of the game, contributing to more informed commentary and content creation.

    15. Community Engagement: - Chris talks about his engagement with the pickleball community, receiving feedback and suggestions from viewers. - He shares an anecdote about a fan named Rick, who suggested Chris join a two-day intensive training session to improve his game.

    16. Future Projects and Collaborations: - Chris expresses interest in future collaborations and expanding his content to include more varied formats, such as debates and in-depth analysis. - He is excited about the potential for new content ideas and engaging more deeply with the pickleball community.

    17. Final Thoughts: - Jordan and Chris conclude the podcast by discussing their shared enthusiasm for the growth and evolution of pickleball. - They emphasize the importance of community support and innovation in keeping the sport vibrant and engaging.

Conclusion: Chris Cali shares his journey and insights into pickleball, emphasizing the importance of making the sport engaging and accessible. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of pickleball, from paddle technology to tournament formats