Florida Man, 73, Arrested After Pickleball Dispute Involving a Slow Cooker

A disagreement over a tournament format allegedly turned physical at an Ave Maria pickleball facility, with a slow cooker becoming an unlikely part of the confrontation. Or was it?

A 73-year-old Florida man was arrested following a bizarre confrontation at a pickleball event in Ave Maria that allegedly involved shoving a woman and picking up a slow cooker.

Steven DeMaio was charged with battery following an Oct. 3 incident at the Del Webb Naples pickleball facility in Collier County, according to local reporting from Gulf Coast News.

The disagreement reportedly began over a proposed change to a pickleball tournament.

DeMaio told reporters he had brought paperwork suggesting changes to the tournament format. According to his account, a woman grabbed the papers and ran off, prompting him to follow her.

A police report alleges DeMaio shoved the woman during the confrontation. He disputes that characterization, claiming the physical contact was not an intentional shove.

Then things got even stranger.

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The Dink PickleballThe Dink Media Team

DeMaio acknowledged picking up a slow cooker during the altercation but insisted the gesture was intended as a joke. He said he eventually threw the paperwork back onto the ground.

"The emotion was overwhelming," DeMaio said in a phone call with Gulf Coast News.

Authorities arrested DeMaio on Oct. 21, more than two weeks after the incident. He was released on bond the following day.

A neighbor interviewed by Gulf Coast News described the community as normally quiet and friendly, acknowledging that while pickleball can get competitive, incidents like this are unusual.

DeMaio expressed disappointment that the situation had escalated over pickleball.

The woman involved and other witnesses had not publicly commented at the time of the original report.

The battery allegation remains unresolved, and DeMaio has disputed the account of the alleged shove.