From First Base to the Pickleball Court: Mulivai Levu’s Dual Passion at UCLA
Highlights:
- UCLA’s Mulivai Levu balances baseball and pickleball with impressive dedication.
- Pickleball has helped sharpen his hand-eye coordination, boosting his baseball performance.
- Though baseball is the main goal, Levu keeps the door open for a potential future in pro pickleball.
If crushing home runs is Mulivai Levu’s first love, then commanding the pickleball court is a very close second.
The standout first baseman for the UCLA Bruins isn’t just making waves on the diamond—he’s also quietly building a reputation in America’s fastest-growing sport: pickleball.
At just 20 years old, Levu is a sophomore standout at UCLA, and whenever his busy baseball schedule allows, he eagerly joins the university’s Club Pickleball practices. His passion for pickleball started several years ago back home in Huntington Beach, California, when a simple backyard setup introduced him to the sport.
“One of my best friend’s moms bought a net and four wooden paddles… we put it on the street and just started playing,” Levu recalled. “We all kind of got addicted to it.”
That casual start quickly turned serious. Levu would wake up at 6 a.m. to play with seasoned players and return at night to play again with younger competition. His drive was clear early on: losing wasn’t in his DNA. Facing stronger opponents only fueled his determination to improve.
“I’m really competitive, so getting beat encouraged me to play more,” he shared.
“Pickleball took my mind off a lot of things. Even when I wasn’t playing baseball, I was doing something active—and pickleball was it.”
A Balancing Act Between Two Sports
This past fall, Levu decided to officially join UCLA Club Pickleball, squeezing practices in around his baseball commitments.
Even after long baseball practices, he would rush straight to the pickleball courts in his jersey and hat—determined to get in as many drills as possible.
“If we finish early in baseball, then I’m on my way over there,” he said with a smile.
While he’s not competing in pickleball tournaments just yet, Levu draws inspiration from pros like JW Johnson and James Ignatowich, blending seriousness with sneaky fun on the court. He enjoys facing ultra-competitive players, using clever ball placement and deceptive shots to keep opponents guessing.
“When I say sneaky, I mean turning my head as if I’m hitting it the other way, but my paddle’s going the opposite direction,” Levu explained.
Pickleball’s Impact on Baseball Success
Levu’s love for pickleball isn’t just a hobby—it’s made a tangible difference in his baseball performance.
Through 41 games in 2025, he’s batting .331 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs—impressive numbers for any college player.
“Pickleball helps a lot with hand-eye coordination, quick twitch, and reaction,” Levu said.
“It translates a lot with my wrists too, especially when facing 90+ mph fastballs.”
The agility, precision, and reflexes honed on the pickleball court have clearly paid dividends on the baseball field.
Looking to the Future
While baseball remains his primary focus, Levu admits that pickleball could play a big role in his future—whether as a backup plan or a post-baseball adventure.
“If baseball doesn’t work out, pickleball is my Plan B,” he laughed.
“Even if I retire and still have some gas left, I wouldn’t mind trying to go pro in pickleball.”
With his unmatched competitive spirit and love for both games, it’s safe to say Mulivai Levu’s athletic future is bright—no matter which court he’s on.
