After Decades of Marathons, Shane Dentinger Found His Next Finish Line
Pickleball Spotlight: Shane Dentinger
Pace, FL—He spent decades outrunning everything, marathons, half marathons, 10 Milers, and countless other runs, yet pickleball was waiting when he finally slowed down.
Shane Dentinger grew up in Maryland, and spent decades as a competitive runner through his Army career. When his body started negotiating different terms, he needed something that could still scratch that itch. In October 2023, a retired Army buddy talked him into trying pickleball. Most of the group didn't stick around but Shane hasn't stopped since.
He lives in Pace, Florida now, but if you ask us, he's never really left the islands—he’s been busy sharing the aloha spirit over in the Panhandle. We first got acquainted when Shane was here at Schofield, and he’s been one of HPM's most loyal readers from the beginning. He’s the kind of supporter who makes you remember why you started publishing in the first place. We're proud to call him an honorary member of the Hawai'i pickleball ohana, wherever he's playing.
Meet Shane!
Currently residing in: Pace (FL).
Where did you grow up, and what high school did you go to?
Grew up in the mountains of western MD in the small blue-collar city of Cumberland, MD. 1989 Graduate of Allegany High School.
How did you discover pickleball, and when did you start playing?
Never heard of pickleball until a work colleague suggested we get a group together and he would teach us to play. About 10 of us, all retired, broken down, and beat up Army retirees. It was quite comical in the beginning to see us running all over the place and just launching that stupid little wiffle ball. That was October of 2023, and I have been hooked ever since; I can't say the same for my friends who started the adventure with me.
What do you love most about pickleball?
Overall, it is the social aspect. Like many, I have met a lot of picklers from all over the US, as well as a few international folks. Just a great community. Second to that is that I was a competitive guy in a lot of sports growing up, in high school, college, and then the Army. I was a huge runner in my Army career, doing 5 marathons, 3 half marathons, 3 sanctioned Army 10 Milers, and countless other runs: 5k/10k/15k, and of course, the Great Aloha Run. But father time is trying to slow me down, and I found pickleball as a way to keep the old man out! With the right group of players at the right time, I can engage that competitive spirit and just get after it. And the follow-on aches and pains are manageable.
How often do you play?
I play about 3 times a week, 2 or 3 hours each.
What paddle are you using, and what do you like about it?
I wore out my Six-Zero Black Diamond, and I just went back to Joola last month with the Agassi Pro V. I like the head-heavy balance point on this paddle, and I am not a power player, but it does have a higher exit velocity than other paddles I have played with. Overall, it is a very balanced paddle that I feel comfortable with.
What is the next goal you’re working toward (in pickleball or otherwise)?
For pickleball, I need to get into more competitive tournaments. At 54, I can’t keep up with all the young legs, but then I am too young for many of the ‘seniors’ who want to partner up. Need to find a balance.
What do you do outside of pickleball (hobbies, work, volunteerism, school, etc.)?
My wife, Julie, and I are enjoying being empty nesters here in Florida, but the kids are just a 5-hour drive away. In my semi-retired phase, or as my wife says, get back to work phase, we enjoy yard work, walking the trails around our neighborhood, and getting to the beach before it is too unbearably hot.
Anything else on your mind?
Love what HPM does for the community and the sport. Keep it up!
