The History Lesson Behind Pickleball

All pickle puns aside, there's a pretty awesome origin story to todays' fastest growing sport. Pickleball is a popular racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The game is played on a court similar in size to a doubles badminton court and uses a paddle and a perforated plastic ball. It is a game that has been around for several decades and has grown in popularity recently. In this blog post, we'll explore the history and origin of pickleball.

Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 by Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington State, and his friend Bill Bell. The two men were trying to devise a new game to play with their families, as their usual activities were canceled due to a lack of equipment. They began improvising with various equipment, using a badminton court, a perforated plastic ball, and wooden paddles.

Initially, the game was played with a net lower than a typical tennis net and a court only half the size of a tennis court. They also used a ball similar to a Wiffle ball but with more holes. The name "pickleball" is said to have originated from Pritchard's wife, who thought that the game reminded her of the "pickle boat" in crew racing, where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats. But according to Barney McCallum, they named the game after Pritchard’s dog, who was named Pickles! The family dog was infamously known for grabbing the ball between plays and running off to halt the match.

Pickleball gained popularity quickly, especially among families and retirees, and by the 1970s, it had spread beyond the Pacific Northwest to other parts of the country. The game's popularity continued to grow, and in 1984, the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) was formed to promote the sport and establish rules and regulations for competition. Today, the USAPA estimates that there are over 3 million pickleball players in the United States alone, and the sport is played in countries worldwide.

In conclusion, pickleball has come a long way since its invention in 1965. What began as a fun family activity has become a popular sport that millions of people worldwide enjoy. Its unique combination of elements from other racquet sports has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer to the game, there's never been a better time to pick up a paddle and try pickleball!