What is USA Pickleball Approved?

Baddle Paddles USA Pickleball Approved
USA Pickleball Approved. What does it mean and why does it matter?
In the pickleball world, you've probably heard or read "USAPA Approved" or (more recently) "USA Pickleball Approved" somewhere. If you're unfamiliar with the term, we'll help you define it. And if you are familiar, we'll help you understand what it means for you and your pickleball play.
First, the difference between "USAPA" and "USA Pickleball." Basically, there is no difference. The United States of America Pickleball Association recently re-branded. So the two terms mean exactly the same thing. Eventually, you won't see "USAPA" anymore. But not to worry if you see it lingering in the near future. It's just an older expression of what is now USA Pickleball. 
Now, let's get into defining the term by separating it into its two parts. 
USA Pickleball. They are the national governing body for the sport. Their mission? Promote the development and growth of the sport we all love, pickleball. USA Pickleball is a great resource for tournaments, clubs, rules, and more. 
Approved. When you see USA Pickleball Approved, it simply means that the paddle or piece of gear has been inspected by USA Pickleball and deemed acceptable for official tournament play. 
What does this mean for you?
If you frequently play tournaments or leagues, a USA Pickleball Approved paddle is a must. We wouldn't recommend using anything but. This will allow you to enter into any tournament, confident that you won't run into any barriers. 
If you typically just play for fun, you're free to use whatever paddle you like, USA Pickleball Approved or not. However, we recommend having at least one USA Pickleball Approved pickleball paddle in your bag. In our experience, pickleball is a sport that the more you play, the more you want to play more. So having a tournament-ready paddle will allow you to take your game to the next level at any time. 
All Baddle pickleball paddles are USA Pickleball Approved and ready for any level of competition, from family tournaments to professional endeavors.