A Florida husband and wife are facing charges of battery after being accused of attacking their opponents in pickleball at a country club last weekend.
In an affidavit, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said that at about 11:10 p.m. Sunday, Anthony Sapienza, 63, accused his opponent of stepping into a restricted area on the side of the pickleball net at Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange, 60 miles northeast of Orlando, before insulting his opponent’s wife and going on the attack.
The sheriff’s office said Mr. Sapienza punched his opponent and hit him with a pickleball paddle, causing a laceration above the victim’s left eye. After that, Mr. Sapienza is alleged to have pushed the victim’s wife to the ground before attacking a bystander who tried to break up the fight.
Julianne Sapienza, 51, is accused of joining in on the attack on the bystander. Other witnesses called 911, and the couple was arrested.
Mr. Sapienza, who is charged with two counts of third-degree battery against a person age 65 or older and with aggravated battery causing bodily harm, bonded out of custody for a total of $4,500 on Monday, according to jail records.
Ms. Sapienza, who is charged with one count of third-degree battery against a person age 65 or older, went free on bail for $5,000.
Both pleaded not guilty, according to court records, and are due in court for arraignment on March 3.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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