All About Pickleball 

By: Davis Hill 

 

You might have heard of pickleball and might be wondering what pickleball even is. Well, you’re in luck because this article will inform you about what pickleball is, how it started, and some fun facts! 

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a 1hr and 5 min car and ferry ride from Coe. Three dads (Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum) whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities wanted to make a game that their kids could play. Luckily their property had an old badminton court, but when they tried to look for equipment to play, they found nothing but ping pong rackets and a set of wiffle balls. They turned it into a new game and decided to name it Pickleball, after Joel’s dog Pickle. The dog loved to chase the white balls on the court whenever they played. It has evolved from a fun game with simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada as well as internationally.  

Here are some fun facts about the game: 

• Pickleball players are better known as "picklers."  

• Pickleball can be played inside or outside. 

• The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (U.S.A.P.A.) had more than 1,900 registered pickleball ambassadors who teach and promote the sport across the country.  

• A lot of people start playing pickleball to meet people and make new friends. 

• Pickleball is a game for people of all ages, but only 32% of picklers are under the age of 60.  

• The city of Naples, Fl. is the Pickle capital of the world. Every year it hosts the US Pickleball Open Championships. 

 

As you can see, pickleball is a growing sport and maybe you’ll play one day. There are even courts here in Queen Anne! Hope to see you on the court this summer! 

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