A Florida couple is facing felony battery charges following a heated pickleball brawl, officials said.
Deputies were dispatched to the Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange, a city about 57 miles northeast of Orlando, at 11 a.m. on Sunday after a 911 call described a fight on a pickleball court involving up to 20 people, according to a Volusia Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit.
Anthony Sapienza, 63, and his wife Julianne Sapienza, 51, were arrested after multiple people sustained injuries, including a 70-year-old man, the affidavit said.
Victims say the match got "heated" after Anthony Sapienza accused his opponent of crossing into the "kitchen" — a restricted area of the court.
The teams exchanged verbal insults before Anthony Sapienza punched one of the victims and struck him in the face with a pickleball paddle, according to the affidavit.
"It’s bleeding and swollen," a player described in a 911 call. "He’s got blood all over his face."
"It’s really ridiculous. I’ve never seen anything like this," the caller said.
When a third, 70-year-old individual attempted to break up the fight, he said Anthony Sapienza punched him. Once he was on the ground, Julianne Sapienza began to attack him too, according to the affidavit.
One of the victims was transported by EMS to a local hospital with a laceration above his eye that may result in "permanent scarring."
The couple fled the scene to their home, where they were later arrested and booked into a local jail, the affidavit said.
In charging documents, Assistant State Attorney Danielle Fields alleged that Anthony Sapienza used a pickleball paddle as a "deadly weapon" to intentionally cause "great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement" to the victim.
The couple has pleaded not guilty. A hearing in the case is scheduled for March 3.
Anthony and Julianne Sapienza were not members of the country club, Spruce Creek General Manager Matt Payne said, and they have been permanently banned from both the gated community and the club.
An attorney for the Sapienzas did not immediately respond to NBC News’ requests for comment.
