Flexible pickleball paddle and frame thereof

A frame for a pickleball paddle, the frame comprising:

• a handle portion structurally configured to form at least part of a handle of the pickleball paddle;
• a first portion disposed above the handle portion, the first portion forming at least part of a first side, a second side, and a top side to define at least part of a shape of a perimeter of the pickleball paddle, the first portion having a first thickness measured in a direction between a first face and a second face of the pickleball paddle when the frame is disposed therebetween;
• a second portion disposed between and coupling the first portion and the handle portion, the second portion having a second thickness measured in the direction between the first face and the second face of the pickleball paddle when the frame is disposed therebetween, wherein the second thickness of the second portion is less than the first thickness of the first portion thereby defining a recess along the second portion relative to the first portion;
• and
• a filler material disposed within the recess of the second portion.

A method of forming a paddle, the method comprising:

• forming a frame at least partially defining a shape of a perimeter of the paddle, the frame comprising:
• a throat portion;
• a first portion disposed above the throat portion along a first side, a second side, and a top side of the paddle, the first portion having a first thickness;
• and
• a second portion disposed adjacent to the throat portion along the first side and the second side of the paddle, and the second portion having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness;
• disposing the frame between a first face and a second face along at least a portion of the perimeter of the paddle, each of the first face and the second face structurally configured for striking a ball, wherein, when the frame is disposed between the first face and the second face, a first gap is formed above the second portion in-between the second portion and a plane disposed along the first face, and a second gap is formed below the second portion in-between the second portion and a plane disposed along the second face;
• and
• at least partially filling at least one of the first gap and the second gap with a filler material.