Chris Bateman and Jeff Doyle, local pickleball enthusiasts, are gearing up to compete in the 2024 Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida. The tournament, scheduled for April 19 and 20, will feature a record-breaking 3,000-plus players from all 50 states and nearly 30 countries, making it the largest pickleball event globally. Bateman and Doyle will be representing their hometowns of Loogootee and Montgomery in the men’s aged 50-54, 4.5 skill level category. The championships will take place at the East Naples Community Park, which boasts the largest permanent pickleball facility globally. With a $150,000 pro prize purse, the championships are considered the most prestigious event in pickleball since 2016. The tournament will also be streamed live on Pickleball Channel, with the women’s and men’s pro matches broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20.
