What is Pickleball?
We are going to cover the burning questions here. What is pickleball? and why is it called that? there will also be a Video History you can watch. If you would like the long version click the link at the bottom of the page to read the complete history of pickle-ball.
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What is Pickleball?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.
Why is it called Pickle-ball?
Pickleball has a very interesting name, especially since no pickles are used. There are two accounts of how the name originated differ.
Account 1
A Pickle Boat
According to Joel Pritchard’s wife (Joan), she started calling the game pickleball because “the combination of different sports reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.”
Joan Pritchard
Account 2
A Dog named Pickles
According to Barney McCallum, the game was officially named after the Pritchards’ dog Pickles, who would chase the ball and run off with it. According to McCallum, “The Pritchards had a dog named Pickles, and you’re having fun at a party, right? So anyways, what the hell, let’s just call it pickleball.”
Barney McCallum
Others claim both accounts may actually be true. In the early years, no official name was assigned to the game. However, a year or two after the game was invented, the Pritchards purchased a cocker spaniel and named it Pickles. As the game progressed, an official name was needed and “pickleball” was it.
A Video History of Pickleball
For the last several years, the sport of pickleball has been dubbed the “fastest growing sport in America.” According to the 2019 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Participant Report, there are currently approximately 3.3 million players in the United States.
Still till looking for more info? Click HERE for a full history of the game including timeline.
How To Play Pickleball?
Because you know the what and why, it’s time to learn the how. Read our post on How to Play Pickle-ball.
References:
- Pickle Ball featured on Morning show By JOAN PRITCHARD, Local Columnist, July 27, 2008
- “The Other Racket Sports” by Dick (Richard C.) Squires – published in 1978 by McGraw-Hil