Rapidly Blossoming Sport Carries a Humorous Moniker: Pickleball
In the summer of 1965, on Bainbridge Island, Washington, three dads—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—created a new sport that would eventually captivate millions around the world. They improvised using ping-pong paddles and a wiffle ball on a badminton court, blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into a game they named pickleball[1][2][4].
The name "pickleball" is believed to have originated from Joel Pritchard's wife, Joan Pritchard, who compared the game's combination of different sports to the pickle boat in crew. However, another story suggests that the name was inspired by Pritchard’s dog, Pickles, who often chased the ball, though the dog was born after the sport was invented[1][3][5].
Designed with simple rules, pickleball was accessible for all ages and quickly became popular beyond its original backyard setting. The game was played on a badminton-sized court, with a net similar to that used in tennis, and players used paddles smaller than tennis racquets but larger than ping-pong paddles to bat a whiffle-type ball[1][2][5].
The evolution of pickleball included the first permanent court built in 1967 in a friend’s backyard and the formation of a corporation in 1972 to protect the sport. The first known tournament happened in 1976 in Tukwila, Washington, marking the start of organized competitive play. The game grew steadily through community centers, schools, and parks, especially across the United States and Canada, reaching nearly 3 million players today and expanding internationally with growing venues in Europe and Asia[1][2][5].
The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) aims to make pickleball ubiquitous around the world. The popularity of pickleball may be attributed to its accessibility, as it requires minimal equipment and can be played on a badminton-sized court. The game has been introduced to kids in middle school and high school physical education classes and is an intramural sport on many college campuses[1][4].
Pickleball is played as singles or doubles, with doubles being the most popular. Serves must be made underhand, with the paddle below the waist, and diagonally. The receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it, while the serving team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it after the first two bounces[1][4]. The ball must clear a 7-foot (2-meter) "non-volley zone" that's in front of the net during service, and most games are played to 11 points, with a two-point spread needed to win, and each game typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes[1][4].
As of 2021, IFP membership includes over 60 countries, such as the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Spain[1]. The world's first pickleball-themed restaurant, Chicken N Pickle, opened in Kansas City in 2016 and now has six locations with three more scheduled to open in 2022[1].
With its growing popularity and international presence, there are hopes that pickleball may potentially become an Olympic sport in the future, depending on the efforts of the International Federation of Pickleball[1]. The rise of pickleball is a testament to the power of a simple, accessible, and entertaining game that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.
People who enjoy sports might consider trying pickleball, a game that evolved from tennis, badminton, and table tennis, which originated in the United States in the 1960s. For those who prefer golf or tennis tournaments to sports betting, they could watch pickleball competitions instead, as it has grown into an organized and competitive sport with more than 3 million players globally.
