The Amazing Story of Pickleball: From a Backyard Game to a Global Phenomenon

The History of the Sport

Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. You can play it indoors or outdoors on a court similar to a badminton court, with a net, a paddle, and a plastic ball with holes.

It is a fun and easy sport that anyone can learn and enjoy, regardless of age or skill level. But how did pickleball come to be? Who invented it and why? And how did it grow from a backyard game to a global phenomenon?

In this blog post, we will explore the history of pickleball, from its origins in 1965 to its current status as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

The Origins of Pickleball

Three friends created pickleball in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. They were Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They had been college buddies who had reunited for a weekend at Pritchard’s summer home.

They returned to the house after playing golf one Saturday afternoon and found their children bored and restless. They decided to look for some outdoor activity to entertain them. They had an old badminton court on the property, but they could not find enough rackets or shuttlecocks to play.

They improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball that they found in the garage. They lowered the badminton net from 60 inches to 36 inches and began hitting the ball back and forth over the net. They soon realized that they had invented a new game that was fun and easy to play.

The next day, they invited their neighbor Bob O’Brien to join them. O’Brien was an avid tennis player and suggested some rules and modifications to the game. He also helped them mark the boundaries of the court with chalk. They named the game “pickleball” after Pritchard’s dog Pickles, who loved to chase the ball and run away with it.

The Development of Pickleball

Pickleball quickly became popular among Pritchard’s family and friends, who played it regularly at his home. Pritchard, Bell, and McCallum also continued to refine the game and establish the rules, relying heavily on badminton as a model. They wanted to create a game that was easy to learn, fun to play, and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The First Pickleball Court and Tournament

In 1967, Pritchard’s friend Bob O’Brien built the first permanent pickleball court in his backyard. He also hosted the first informal pickleball tournament with about 20 participants. In 1972, Pritchard, Bell, McCallum, and O’Brien formed a corporation called Pickle-Ball Inc. to protect their creation and promote its growth. They also patented the name “pickleball” and registered it as a trademark.

The First Rulebook for Pickleball

In 1978, Pickle-Ball Inc. published the first rulebook for pickleball, which standardized the rules and regulations for the sport. The rulebook also included diagrams of the court dimensions, equipment specifications, scoring system, and etiquette guidelines. The rulebook has been revised and updated several times since then to reflect the changes and innovations in the sport.

The First Composite Paddle

In 1984, Arlen Paranto, an industrial engineer at Boeing, made the first composite paddle using fiberglass and honeycomb panels that were used for commercial airplanes. He later switched to graphite as a lighter and stiffer material for his paddles. Paranto made about 1,000 paddles until he sold his company to Frank Candelario in 1990. Candelario continued to produce composite paddles under various brand names until he sold his company to Pro-Lite Sports in 2000.

The Expansion of Pickleball

By 1990, pickleball was being played in all 50 states of the United States. It was also introduced to other countries, such as Canada, Australia, Japan, and India. Pickleball was especially popular among senior citizens, who enjoyed its low-impact and social nature. Many retirement communities, senior centers, and recreation centers adopted pickleball as a regular activity for their residents and members.

The Death of Joel Pritchard

In 1997, Joel Pritchard passed away at the age of 72. He was honored as the co-founder of pickleball and as a distinguished public servant who had served as a congressman and as the lieutenant governor of Washington. His legacy lives on in the sport that he helped create and in the millions of people who play it today.

The First National and International Tournaments

In 2001, the first USAPA National Championships were held in Buckeye, Arizona. The tournament attracted over 400 players from 26 states and Canada. The tournament has been held annually ever since, with increasing numbers of participants and spectators. In 2019, the USAPA National Championships had over 2,000 players from 46 states and 14 countries.

In 2005, the first US Open Pickleball Championships were held in Naples, Florida. The tournament was organized by Terri Graham and Chris Evon, who wanted to create a premier event for pickleball players of all skill levels and ages. The tournament has been held annually ever since, with growing popularity and prestige. In 2019, the US Open Pickleball Championships had over 2,100 players from 48 states and 20 countries.

The Formation of International and Professional Organizations

In 2013, the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was established by the USAPA and other national pickleball associations to govern the sport internationally and to promote its development around the world. The IFP also organizes international competitions, such as the Bainbridge Cup and the World Pickleball Championships. The IFP has over 40 member countries and regions as of 2020.

In 2016, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) was founded by Connor Pardoe and Scott Moore to create a professional tour for pickleball players. The PPA Tour features several tournaments throughout the year, with cash prizes and ranking points for the players. The PPA Tour also showcases the sport to a wider audience through live streaming and media coverage.

In 2019, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) was founded by Ken Herrmann to create another professional tour for pickleball players. The APP Tour also features several tournaments throughout the year, with cash prizes and ranking points for the players. The APP Tour also aims to grow the sport globally through partnerships and sponsorships.

In 2020, Major League Pickleball (MLP) was launched by Morgan Evans and Zane Navratil to create a professional league for pickleball players. The MLP features eight teams of four players each, who compete in a round-robin format followed by a playoff bracket. The MLP also provides entertainment and excitement for the fans through team names, logos, uniforms, and personalities.

The Future of Pickleball

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with an estimated 4.8 million players as of 2020. The sport has been recognized by various organizations and media outlets as a phenomenon that is transforming the landscape of sports and recreation.

Pickleball is also evolving and innovating as a sport, with new rules, equipment, formats, events, and players emerging every year. The sport is also attracting more attention and support from sponsors, celebrities, influencers, and fans.

Pickleball is more than just a sport; it is a lifestyle, a community, and a passion for many people who play it. It is a sport that brings people together across generations, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities.

Pickleball is a sport that has a rich history and a bright future.

Conclusion

We hope this blog post has helped you learn more about the history of pickleball: how a backyard game became a global phenomenon.

If you have any questions or comments about this topic or anything related to pickleball, please leave them below.

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