Pickleball, Anyone?.. Everyone?

Pickleball “mania” has been sweeping the nation for some time now: a sport originally founded by a group of dads looking to entertain their families on a summer afternoon now has legendary athletes like Labron James and Tom Brady owning teams or joining a Pickleball syndicate. 

Pickleball has an interesting history: It was devised by Congressman Joel Pritchard and successful businessman Bill Bell. On a Saturday in the summer of 1965, the pair returned to Pritchard’s home to find that their families were sitting around with nothing to do. There was an old badminton court on the property, and the group improvised due to lack of equipment – they started playing with ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. They placed the net at 60 inches, but as the weekend progressed, lowered the net to 36 inches. The following weekend, fellow friend Barney McCallum was introduced to the game. The three created the rules relying heavily on the base of badminton, while remembering that the goal was to have a game the whole family could play together.

Two years later, Joel Prichard constructed the first pickle ball court in his friend Bob O’Brian’s backyard. In 1972, a corporation was created to protect the new sport… And in 1975, the National Observer published an article, introducing Pickleball as America’s newest racquet sport. 

In 1984, The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (U.S.A.P.A) was organized to help with the growth and advancement of the sport; their first rule book was published in March of 1984. As of 2015, USAPA has amassed over 10,000 members. Currently, the sport is exploding in popularity: there are nearly 8,500 locations on the USA Pickleball “Places2Play” map.

Some of the popularity of the sport is attributed to its accessibility, and as a result, Pickleball has often been played in community centers, PE classes, YMCA facilities, and retirement communities. 

The name itself has gained attention, too: In the Summer of 1965, Joan Pritchard came up with the name in a reference to a rowing term “pickle boat”. A “pickle boat” is when a crew is thrown together to give all rowers an opportunity to compete. Pickleball was named as the reference to using the “leftovers” from tennis, ping pong, badminton and platform tennis… So, if you are looking for a holiday gift for the family or something to do together, think Pickleball! The sport originated with the odds and ends found around the house, has evolved into its own industry. There are now matching paddles, carrying cases and even celebrity Pickleball players! It can be played indoors or outdoors, and is fun for the entire family.