A recreational game intended to promote friendly competition and social connection escalated into a large-scale physical altercation at a country club in central Florida, leading to felony battery charges against Anthony and Julianne Sapienza. Authorities say the confrontation began as a dispute over gameplay rules but quickly intensified into a violent exchange involving multiple players, injuries, and emergency responders. The incident unfolded at Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange, drawing a rapid law enforcement response after witnesses reported a fight involving more than 20 individuals.
Anthony Sapienza, 63, and his wife Julianne Sapienza, 51, were arrested following the incident. According to investigators, the altercation occurred during a pickleball match between the Sapienzas and another married couple. What began as a disagreement over whether a player improperly entered a restricted area on the court ultimately escalated into a confrontation that left at least one victim with significant injuries and prompted criminal charges related to battery against elderly individuals. Officials say the conflict illustrates how rapidly tensions can escalate in competitive recreational settings when disputes turn personal and physical.
Deputies from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a fight in progress shortly after 11 a.m. Emergency medical services were also dispatched after reports of injuries among those involved. Investigators later determined that verbal insults, physical aggression, and attempts by bystanders to intervene all contributed to the expanding scope of the conflict.
How a Dispute Over the “Kitchen” Rule Escalated
The incident began during a routine pickleball match played between two couples. According to the arrest affidavit, the conflict initially centered on disagreement over play within the “kitchen,” a designated no-volley zone on either side of the net designed to prevent players from executing aggressive, close-range smashes. Players are generally required to allow the ball to bounce before entering this zone to return a shot, a rule that is widely recognized as fundamental to fair play.
Anthony Sapienza reportedly accused the opposing players of violating this rule by stepping into the restricted area improperly. What began as a rules dispute quickly intensified into a heated verbal exchange. Witness accounts indicate that insults were exchanged during the match, and tensions remained high even after play concluded.
Authorities say the confrontation did not end when the game finished. According to the affidavit, as the opposing couple began walking away from the court, Anthony allegedly directed an insulting remark toward the other man’s wife. That comment triggered further verbal confrontation between the two men. Investigators say that within moments, the argument turned physical.
Police allege that Anthony approached the other husband and struck him in the face, then hit him with a pickleball paddle. The impact reportedly caused a laceration above the victim’s eye and significant bleeding. Witnesses described the altercation as sudden and forceful, with both men falling during the struggle as the assault continued. The injured man was transported by emergency responders to AdventHealth Hospital for medical treatment after authorities observed visible injuries requiring care.
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According to charging documents, prosecutors allege that the paddle was used as a weapon capable of causing serious bodily harm. The confrontation quickly spread beyond the two men. When the injured man’s wife attempted to intervene, investigators allege that Anthony forcefully pushed her to the ground. A third individual, reported to be 70 years old, told deputies he attempted to break up the fight but was struck in the face, resulting in heavy bleeding from his nose.
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The presence of multiple victims—each reportedly 65 years of age or older—became a central factor in the charges filed. Under Florida law, battery against elderly individuals can carry enhanced penalties due to the increased vulnerability of older victims. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as more players became involved, either attempting to intervene or reacting to the escalating violence. Authorities say the situation expanded into a broader brawl involving numerous individuals on or near the court.
Injuries, Witness Accounts, and the Expanding Brawl
Investigators reported that the altercation rapidly grew in scale as bystanders attempted to intervene or respond to the violence. According to the affidavit, as many as 20 individuals became involved in the confrontation at various points. Some attempted to restrain participants, while others were drawn into the physical struggle. A witness told deputies she called emergency services after seeing Anthony punch the opposing husband and strike him with a paddle while both men were on the ground.
Her report described visible bleeding and escalating physical contact that appeared to spread beyond the original dispute. Authorities also documented injuries sustained by individuals attempting to intervene. The 70-year-old man who reported being struck told deputies his nose bled heavily after he was punched while trying to separate the participants. Investigators determined that his involvement was limited to attempting to stop the altercation.
Emergency responders treated individuals at the scene, and at least one victim required hospital transport. The presence of visible injuries and medical intervention contributed to the seriousness of the charges filed. Officials say that after the confrontation subsided, Anthony and Julianne Sapienza allegedly left the scene before deputies arrived. According to investigators, they were later located and arrested in connection with the incident.
Witness accounts played a significant role in reconstructing the sequence of events. Deputies gathered statements from multiple individuals present during the match and subsequent altercation. These accounts described a progression from verbal dispute to physical assault, followed by a broader group confrontation. The environment of a country club setting—typically associated with organized recreation and social interaction—made the scale of the incident particularly notable to investigators. Law enforcement described the situation as a large and rapidly escalating conflict rather than an isolated confrontation between two individuals.
Criminal Charges and Legal Proceedings
Following their arrest, Anthony Sapienza was charged with two counts of felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older, along with aggravated battery causing bodily harm. Prosecutors allege that he intentionally caused injury and used a pickleball paddle as a weapon during the assault. Julianne Sapienza was charged with one count of felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older. Authorities allege she participated in the physical altercation during the incident.
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Assistant State Attorney Danielle Fields alleged in charging documents that Anthony’s actions resulted in intentional bodily harm and involved the use of an object capable of causing serious injury. Under Florida law, aggravated battery charges may apply when a weapon is used or when the assault results in significant injury. An attorney representing Anthony Sapienza did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the filing of charges. No public statement from the couple was included in the arrest documentation.
Officials scheduled a court hearing for March 3, where proceedings related to the charges are expected to continue. As with all criminal cases, the charges represent allegations, and the defendants are entitled to due process under the law. The incident has drawn attention because of both the scale of the altercation and the nature of the activity involved. Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the United States, particularly popular among older adults.
The involvement of multiple senior participants and the filing of enhanced felony charges tied to victim age contributed to the seriousness of the case. Authorities have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed against other individuals who may have participated in the broader altercation. Investigators continue to rely on witness statements, medical reports, and physical evidence gathered at the scene.
The country club where the incident occurred did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the altercation or any potential policy changes related to court supervision or conflict resolution among players. Law enforcement officials have emphasized that disputes arising from recreational activities can quickly escalate when emotions run high, particularly in competitive settings where participants strongly contest rules or outcomes.
In this case, what began as a disagreement over court positioning evolved into a violent confrontation involving multiple individuals, injuries, and criminal charges. The legal process will now determine the outcome of the allegations against Anthony and Julianne Sapienza, while investigators and witnesses continue to provide information related to the events that unfolded during the match.