Imagine combining the elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton into one game. That’s pickleball—a dynamic sport sweeping across communities and courts everywhere. Played on a badminton-size court with small paddles and a perforated ball, pickleball’s straightforward rules make it not only accessible but also incredibly fun for players of all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just looking for a new way to stay active, pickleball promises excitement in every match.
In 1965, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum created pickleball on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The idea for the game began when the Pritchard and Bell families decided to play badminton but realized they didn’t have a complete set of rackets. Improvising, they used ping-pong paddles and a holed plastic ball. As they played, they discovered that they could lower the net, allowing the ball to bounce on the ground. Soon, they introduced their friend Barney McCallum to the sport, and the three men created rules influenced by badminton. Many believe the game was named after the Pritchard family’s dog, Pickles, but in fact, Pickles was born three years after the game was invented. The name actually comes from the “pickle boat” in rowing regatta, referring to the leftover non-starters.
According to USA Pickleball, in 2023 there were 8.9 million pickleball players in the United States over the age of six, an impressive increase from 4.8 million in 2022. It earned the title of the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year in a row by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
Pickleball is becoming an increasingly popular sport for a variety of reasons. One of the sport’s greatest appeals is its accessibility, suitable for all ages and skill levels. Not only can the game’s difficulty be tailored to different intensity levels, but pickleball is relatively easy to learn, and features like the aerodynamic ball allow for greater control and make it less intimidating for beginners while still offering challenges for experienced players. But most importantly, pickleball is a lot of fun. It combines social interaction, strategic play and physical activity into an engaging and fresh sport.
Riley Jennings ’28 states, “I love pickleball because it’s such a fun way to be active and it feels like a fun mix between tennis and ping pong.” She goes on to say, “I think pickleball and tennis are two different types of enjoyment, but pickleball is so fun because I feel like people can learn how to play much faster than tennis, meaning more people can play with each other. For me, I appreciate having something competitive so I can play with all of my friends and family!”
As pickleball continues to surge in popularity, it’s clear that this sport is more than just a passing trend. Whether you’re an athlete or just looking to try something new, pickleball offers a unique opportunity to engage in an enjoyable and exciting sport.