Pickleball: The Fast-Growing Sport You Need to Know About

If you haven't heard of pickleball yet, you're missing out on one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It's easy to learn, provides a great workout, and is fun for all ages and skill levels. In this blog post, we'll explore what pickleball is and where it originated.

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is played on a court that is similar in size to a doubles badminton court. The game is played with a perforated plastic ball and paddles that are similar to oversized table tennis paddles. The objective of the game is to hit the ball over the net and land it within the boundaries of the opposing team's court. Like tennis, pickleball can be played as singles or doubles.

One of the things that makes pickleball so appealing is that it is easy to learn. Unlike tennis, which can take years to master, most people can pick up the basics of pickleball in just a few minutes. However, don't let its simplicity fool you - pickleball can be a fast-paced, intense game that provides a great workout.

Where Did Pickleball Originate?

Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three dads from Bainbridge Island, Washington. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum were trying to come up with a game that would keep their children entertained during the summer months. They started with badminton, but soon realized that the shuttlecock was too light and the racquets were too heavy for the kids to handle. They then tried using a perforated plastic ball, which was easier to hit, and paddles that were similar to table tennis paddles. They set up a court in Pritchard's backyard, and pickleball was born.

The game got its name from the Pritchard family's dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball and run off with it. The family would often joke that they were playing "pickleball" because they were "picking up the ball" after Pickles.

Pickleball began to spread throughout the Pacific Northwest, and by the 1970s, it had made its way to other parts of the country. Today, pickleball is played in all 50 states and in countries around the world. In fact, it has become so popular that there are now professional pickleball players and tournaments.

In Conclusion

Pickleball is a fun, fast-paced sport that is easy to learn and provides a great workout. It was invented in 1965 by three dads from Bainbridge Island, Washington, who were trying to come up with a game that would keep their kids entertained. Today, pickleball is played all over the world and is one of the fastest-growing sports around. So why not give it a try? Who knows - you might just fall in love with the game!