Pickleball Magazine 2-6 Courtesy of PickleballTournaments | Page 84

Dinkers & Bangers
Unite
W
hether a dinker or a banger, a poacher or an
addict – Dinkers & Bangers Pickleball Shop
offers classy and cleverly themed apparel
and gear, allowing players to express their
personal style. The unique images and slogans applied to
shirts, caps and even notecards double as great recruiting
tools. Wearing a shirt that says “It’s a Dinking Game” is
undoubtedly a conversation starter.
Established in April, almost a month after co-owner
Katie Jennett Caska welcomed her third child into the
world, the concept for the business had been percolating
for over a year.
“The first time I stepped foot on a court, three years ago,
I was like a kid in a candy shop,” effused Mary Ann Castine
Sorrell, co-owner. “I couldn’t wait for the instruction to
end so that I could see if I could feel the pop of the ball for
myself. There was no real ‘pickleball style’ that I could see,
and I found myself looking a lot. I also started tracking the
fun terms used and found myself coining my own, filing
ideas as I was playing.”
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Co-owners Katie Jennett Caska and Mary Ann Castine Sorrell
At the twilight of their lives, the Sorrells are raising
three adopted children. What was once a decent retirement
income was slipping away much sooner than anticipated.
“I kind of have to blame my grown kids for kicking this
idea into fruition,” she laughs. “When Mother’s Day rolled
around after I had become a full-fledged pickleball addict,
they were looking for pickleball gifts for me. I received a
sleeve of Onix outdoor balls and complaints from my kids
that there just wasn’t anything else out there I’d like.”
Were other people looking for a way to express their
passion for the sport – on and off the court? Sorrell
started doing research and seeing who was out there, what
they were doing, and identifying a niche that seemed to
grow larger as she left her home court and ventured to
tournaments.
“I knew early on that I wanted my former employee,
Katie, to partner with me on this. I dragged her pregnant
self down to our courts last summer and made my pitch,”
added Sorrell.
Caska is a graphic designer with a very strong art
background, a degree in graphic design and a huge amount
of common sense.
“Mary Ann and I have been in business together, in one
way or anoth er, for over 10 years and when she has this
much passion for something, I know to buckle down, hold
on tight and plan for something great!” Caska said.
The women hope to one day share a court. In the
meantime, their dreams are coming true because of the
tremendous response the pickleball community has
shown to their shop. “We are so grateful to everyone who
has supported us, given us a chance, put in a good word,
or shared their happiness at discovering our shop,” said
Sorrell.
Check out what Dinkers & Bangers has to offer at
www.dinkersandbangers.com.  •
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