Ree Drummond Tries Pickleball for the First Time—and Baby Sofia Is Her Biggest Fan!
The star played her first game at sunset with daughter Alex and son-in-law Mauricio on Tuesday
The Pioneer Woman herself, Ree Drummond, is always up for a new adventure, and this time, it’s pickleball! On March 18, the Food Network star shared a lighthearted Instagram video of her first-ever pickleball game, playing alongside her oldest daughter, Alex Drummond Scott, 27, and son-in-law, Mauricio Scott. But it wasn’t just a typical family match: the game had an adorable audience, including Drummond’s 3-month-old granddaughter, Sofia Marie, who watched from the sidelines in a stroller.
Ree Drummond makes her pickleball debut
In the sunset-lit clip, Drummond and Alex dashed around the court to keep up with Mauricio’s skilled shots, all while dodging their pack of dogs, who seemed just as excited about the game.
“It’s like goat yoga but it’s dog pickleball!” Drummond joked as the family’s furry friends, including hounds and Golden Retriever, George, ran freely across the court.
The video also captures Drummond’s reactions to the game, as she struggles to grasp the scoring system while sharing plenty of laughs with her daughter and son-in-law. In her Instagram caption, she playfully admitted her editing might have been a little biased.
“My very first pickleball game, as you can tell by my complete inability to understand the scoring,” she wrote. “Sofia hung in there till the end as you will see! Also, this edit is misleading. Mauricio creamed us in the first game, then we were able to eke out a small victory in a 3-point game at the end. Also, I chose to include all my decent shots and all the times Alex and Mauricio told me I was good. (I wonder what Mauricio’s edit would look like?)”
Alex even joined in on the fun, commenting on the post, “Next step: get Laddy out on the court!” referring to her dad, Ladd Drummond, who didn’t play.
What is pickleball?
For those unfamiliar, pickleball is a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Played on a smaller court with a perforated plastic ball and paddles, it’s an easy-to-learn, fast-paced game that has surged in popularity in recent years. Many love it for its accessibility; it’s low-impact and suitable for all ages, making it a great option for families like the Drummonds. Plus, it’s a great way to stay active while having fun.
If you’re like Ree Drummond and don’t quite get the pickleball scoring system, here’s a quick breakdown. The first team to reach 11 points wins, but it must be by a 2-point margin. Only the serving team can score points, which are awarded with each rally win (successfully maintaining control of the ball until a fault or out-of-bounds shot by the opposing team).
Ree Drummond embraces grandma life
While pickleball may be new for Drummond, she’s been settling into another important role: being a grandmother. Alex and Mauricio welcomed baby Sofia Marie on December 18, and the Pioneer Woman has been smitten ever since. The proud mom and dad announced their daughter’s arrival with a heartwarming Instagram post, writing, “At 2:27 am our perfect girl made her arrival a couple weeks early, just in time for Christmas! We are so in love and forever changed. Thank you, Lord.”
Drummond also celebrated the milestone with a touching post on her Pioneer Woman website, where she shared a photo of herself cradling Sofia. “Perfect,” she wrote, summing up her adoration for her first grandchild.
Fans react to Ree Drummond playing pickleball
Drummond’s followers were quick to chime in on her pickleball post, with many sharing their love for the sport. “I do love some pickleball,” one fan commented. Another joked, “Cute how many times Alex said ‘nice mom!’”
But perhaps the most relatable response came from a self-proclaimed ‘70s kid who’s fully embraced the sport. “Girl, I am there! Play weekly with my gal pals! Yes, I am a child of the ‘70s using those terms.”
With first pickleball game under her belt, it’s only a matter of time before Ree Drummond is back on the court. The real question now is: will she convince Ladd to join in?
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