A Paddle Whisperer
By Matthew Schwartz
June 19, 2025
Kallevig has 10,000 paddles in his 1500 square foot climate controlled warehouse
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Attention paddle shoppers: If you need advice it would be a good move before buying to talk to John Kallevig.
I know this firsthand. A couple of years ago while resting from pickleball for two weeks due to a sore back, I noticed the paddle I was using for almost a year had several chips on its face. I knew virtually nothing about paddles but being a researcher at heart I began a deep dive into paddle- nerd land.
I discovered a paddle group on Facebook and read some smart comments by a guy named John Kallevig. I sent him a direct message. After a few back and forth messages John said, “Why don’t you call me?” He gave me his number, then gave me 40 minutes of great advice. He spent that much time with a total stranger who peppered him with all kinds of questions, some of them pretty naïve.
John asked me how long I had been playing, and what my play style and level were. He did not do a hard sell, he simply recommended a paddle. He does not believe in a “one size fits all” philosophy. He takes the time to find out about the individual player, then recommends a paddle. He is a paddle whisperer.
Kallevig (pronounced “Cal-uh-vig”) owns Hometown Pickleball, selling paddles and accessories. On his website of the same name, the 46-year-old Tennessee resident writes, “I strive to give everyone the personal attention they need. You are welcome to call or message me and we’ll discuss your game. With a little information about yourself and your play type I can help you determine what paddle or paddle adjustments have a good chance of bettering your play.”
When a player Kallevig has never seen play asks, “What paddle should I buy?,” Kallevig replies, “Sorry but there is no easy answer for this one. There are so many different paddles out there to choose from. Some things I will ask players to help them narrow down the options are: ‘What type of player are you? Banger or Dinker? What type of player do you want to be? Do you have any prior experience with a racquet sport? Do you have a certain price range you need to be in? What is the strongest part of your game? Weakest part of your game?
“I have dealt with pickleball companies that have experienced rapid growth and have witnessed their customer service take a nose-dive. I don’t want that to be me,” Kallevig says.
Running Hometown Pickleball has turned from Kallevig’s hobby to full-time job. He says he sold over 2000 paddles in 2023, 3000 last year and over 4000 already this year. When he first contacted pickleball companies to ask if he could sell their paddles, he says, “I had a hard time getting my foot in the door. Most companies I reached out to wouldn’t even return my call.” That’s changed. “I now have companies reaching out to me,” he says, not in a bragging way, just as a matter of fact.
He is an authorized distributor for 17 paddle brands (including Hudef). He buys paddles in bulk at discounts and sells them at list prices, but often gives discounts to customers.
Kallevig has a pickleball court in his Oneida, Tennessee home.
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Kallevig has 10,000 paddles in a 1500 square foot, insulated, temperature and humidity-controlled warehouse on his property in Oneida, Tennessee, a small town (pop. 3823) one hour north of Knoxville.
Asked why he spends so much time advising anyone who asks, Kallevig told me, “I am a people pleaser and like seeing them happy. Second, I enjoy pickleball, so if I can help someone bring their game to the next level, I feel a sense of accomplishment. The Lord has blessed me and I don't need every sale to support my family. I would rather gain the respect of a fellow pickleball player than push them into a paddle that doesn't fit their needs.”
“For more than two years I have probably consulted him almost weekly and I have referred so many pickleballer pals to him for his insights on paddles and what to purchase,” says Christy Price, a paddle fanatic and fledgling paddle reviewer from Chattanooga, Tennessee. “He’s so immediately responsive to everyone and aims to please,” Christy says.
Pickleball player Warren Anderson of San Diego (and a loyal reader of this column, thank you Warren!) also has sought Kallevig’s advice. “I asked many, many simple, obvious questions about paddles and technologies,” Warren said. “He patiently and fully answered each with no pressure to buy. He was just happy to provide the information.”
Kallevig is devoutly religious. “Since I was in high school, I always thought I would be a pastor or a missionary,” he said. “Different doors opened and I went into the business world. I bought the family car dealership and equipment rental business and started a motor sports dealership. The Lord really blessed the businesses,” he said.
Kallevig got hooked on playing pickleball in 2019. “I went to my local sporting goods store (an hour and a half away) and chose a paddle from their limited selection,” he says. “It didn’t take long to realize the paddle makes a difference in your play and it was time to upgrade. There were no quality paddles being sold in my area.”
Kallevig recently hired his first fulltime employee. That should free up more time with his wife, Lisa, and three children. Elizabeth, 18, will soon enter Liberty University; Hannah, 14, is working towards her goal of becoming the youngest USAP certified instructor; and Joshua, 11, is a terrific pickleball player who John often plays with in tournaments. John has a 4.1 DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating). He is also a certified pickleball instructor and gives lessons, often on the indoor pickleball court at their home.
Kallevig agrees with top paddle reviewers including Chris Olson, John Kew and Braydon Unsicker, who told me unless you’re a high level player there is no good reason to spend more than $150 on a paddle. “It makes me cringe when a developing player reaches out to me to buy an expensive paddle just because the best player in their facility or the pro they watched on TV uses it,” Kallevig said. “There is a good chance you’re going to increase your mistakes and hit out a lot of balls, which is even less fun if you just spent a lot of money.” He adds, “Numerous small companies have come out with paddles that have the same specifications as expensive paddles from Selkirk and JOOLA.”
You can reach Kallevig at hometownpickleball@hotmail.com.
He will give you all the time you need and in the process save you money. And maybe you will hit fewer balls out.
Thoughts of the week, not all pickleball
· Speaking of paddles, I have played rec play over the past five years in five states (Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, California and New Jersey) and on one cruise ship. Maybe five players have asked me what paddle I use. For all they know I could be playing with one that’s not approved by the USAPA. I would guess that 90 percent of the thousands of players I have played with and against don’t play in tournaments. Several prominent pickleball instructors have estimated that 75-80 percent of all pickleball players are recreational players only.
· In most locations, including Arizona, where I live, it is illegal to make a left turn directly into the right lane of a multi-lane road. Based on what I have seen lately, a lot of drivers either do not know this or ignore it. It could be dangerous.
· The college World Series is really fun to watch.
· The new Apple TV series, Your Friends & Neighbors, is now my favorite streaming show. John Hamm is fantastic as a hedge fund manager who was fired and resorts to stealing from his wealthy neighbors.
· The high temperatures in Tucson this week ranged from 106 to 111. I’m grateful to be able to play at an indoor pickleball club in town instead of having to play at 6 a.m, which is when the outdoor session starts at my local community center.
Remember, if you buy any Hudef paddle that costs $169.99, use my discount code MS30 to knock down the price by 30%, to $119.99. Any less expensive paddle, the code is MS15, giving you 15% off.