The enthusiasm for pickleball around Major League Baseball is the real deal.

ESPN.com writer Jesse Rogers published an insightful feature on Thursday entitled  "How pickleball rivalries and tournaments took MLB by storm" that describes the genuine appreciation for pickleball among several franchises, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.

"Pickleball games have become the norm throughout baseball. The fast-growing sport is replacing basketball and even golf as the preferred off-day activity among front office members, coaches, umpires -- and some players," writes Rogers. "As pickleball has gained popularity in recent years, courts have sprung up throughout the country, giving those working in baseball convenient places to exercise and exert their competitive spirit no matter what city they are in."

The piece provides a fascinating look at the way different teams have incorporated pickleball into their respective cultures.

Rogers details a recent Spring Training pickleball showdown between Dodgers assistant general manager Jeff Kingston and Triple-A manager Scott Hennessey at a Chicken N Pickle location in Arizona, for example, that drew an "estimated 80 to 100 members of the organization" to enjoy the action.

Rogers also describes how pickleball played an integral part in the Rangers' postseason run to the 2023 World Series championship.

We won't spoil the rest of the story by giving it all away here.

Enjoy the read.