The history of pickleball: Why is it pickleball?
Picture a sport that combines the elements of badminton, tennis, and ping pong. Now add a dash of accessibility and a pinch of fun play. What do you get? Pickleball – the fastest-growing sport that combines pleasure with social interaction and simplicity.
But where exactly does Pickleball come from, and how did it end up as a widely recognizable and appreciated athletic pursuit? Read on as we uncover the history of pickleball, how it was born and what lies ahead, including the story behind its name.
Pickleball Creators: How and When was Pickleball Invented?
If you are wondering when and in which state Pickleball was invented, you have came to the right place. Pickleball origins start in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, outside of Seattle, Washington. Yes, you heard it right, pickleball was invented in Seattle Washington. After playing a round of golf, Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell arrived back at Pritchard’s house to find their families sitting around bored with no way to pass the time.
They had a badminton court, but they couldn’t locate sets of rackets. So, they decided to get creative by using a spare ping pong paddle and a ball with holes in it instead. They initially positioned the net at 60 inches high. They later lowered it to 36 inches upon realizing how effectively the ball bounced on the asphalt court surface.
The following weekend, they invited another family friend, Barney McCullum, to the game, who crafted some proper paddles out of plywood – sturdier and bigger than ping-pong ones. In 1967, Joel constructed the first permanent pickleball court in another friend’s backyard. As time went by, pickleball moved from their backyard to the neighbourhoods and extended families.
The Pickleball Craze: How It Became an Internationally Recognized Sport:
Let’s trace the game’s impressive journey to a widely recognizable sport that’s turning heads everywhere.
1972: The Pickleball Corporation
As the game started to make headway in the Pacific Northwest, a corporation named Pickleball Inc. was established in 1972 for its protection. Its purpose was also to make the sports equipment, including nets, paddles, and balls, easily accessible.
Setting up Pickleball Inc. helped nudge this local hobby towards becoming a real, honest-to-goodness sport.
1975: The First Media Coverage
Pickleball scored its first major media spotlight in 1976. The National Observer kicked things off with the very first article about Pickleball! Tennis magazine jumped on the bandwagon that same year, dubbing it “America’s Newest Racquet Sport.”
Then, in 1978, Pickleball landed a spot in a book called “The Other Racquet Sports.” These media hits? They were like rocket fuel for already growing Pickleball popularity.
1976: The First Pickleball Tournament
Spring of 1976 marked a big moment for pickleball – its first official tournament! The South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington, played host to this groundbreaking event. David Lester came out on top in the Men’s Singles, with Steve Paranto snagging second place.
1984: The First Governing Body
The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (USAPA) was founded by Sid Willams, an avid player to advance the game on the national level. They published an official rulebook for the game and hosted several tournaments.
One of its memorable events was a national doubles championship in Tacoma, Washington – a real first for the sport.
1990s: The Traction of Pickleball
Pickleball had made its way to all 50 states of the US by the end of 90s. In 1992, Pickleball, Inc started making and providing their own pickleballs right in-house, using a fancy custom drilling machine.
Then, as the world geared up for the new millennium, pickleball hit another milestone. In 1999, it’s very first website was created – Pickleball Stuff.
2000s: The Continued Growth of Pickleball
In 2001, Earl Hill brought pickleball to the Arizona Senior Olympic Committee’s attention. The result? A tournament at Happy Trails RV Resort that drew 100 players!
In 2005, the amateur alliance was renamed the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). By 2008, they’d set up a rules committee, specifying the law for gameplay and tournaments.
The first USAPA National Tournament was held in Buckeye, Arizona in 2009. Nearly 400 players, even some from Canada, showed up to compete. Pickleball was officially making waves on the national stage!
2020s: The Pickleball Sport Today
As 2020 rolled in, pickleball kept picking up steam. Despite of the COVID-19 pandemic, pickleball experienced growth due to its outdoor, socially distant nature. Folks trapped at home found their escape on local courts and in backyards.
In fact, it bagged the claim of being one of the fastest growing sports in America for the third year in a row as per Topline Participation Report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). It also stated that Pickleball has total of 8.9 million players in the US.
The Name Theory: Why Is It Called Pickleball?
Pickleball’s name has quite the history – or should we say histories? There are two popular tales out there, and they couldn’t be more different. One involves a boat, the other is related to a dog. Let’s hear these competing tales and see which one you think holds water!
The Pickle Boat Pickleball Origin Story
First theory is that Joan’s wife named it pickleball after the term “pickle boat” in rowing. In crew, a pickle boat refers to weaker boats made up of mismatched or leftover rowers. The name might have been inspired by how pickleball combines equipment, ideas, and rules from various racquet games, much like how pickle boats are assembled.
The Mushy Dog Story
Second is the famous pickleball dog name story – it’s the tale most people know about how the game got its name. The story goes that Pickles, Pritchard’s’ dog, loved chasing stray balls during games and that’s what inspired the name.
But here’s the twist: according to certain sources, the pup was named after the game, not the other way around! The game was named the same summer in 1965 when they started with it. But it wasn’t until 1968 that the Pritchard’s youngest daughter brought home a cute cockapoo – who they named Pickles.
And living up to his name, the pup loved to chase around the stray balls that would come into bushes during pickleball games. Despite being disputed by Joel’s wife and their children, the pickleball dog name story is still quite popular!
Wrapping it Up:
And there you have it – the history of pickleball and the interesting stories on pickleball origins! What began as a backyard pastime has turned one of the most beloved paddle sports worldwide. Today, the sport has its professional league (Major League Pickleball) and numerous national tournaments.
But pickleball’s journey is far from over. As it continues to win hearts and courts, it’s clear this isn’t just a fad. With its knack for bringing people together, promoting fitness, and fostering social interaction, pickleball has here to stay and win hearts.
