What is pickleball?
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Pickleball is a fun game that is played on a badminton-sized court (indoors or outdoors) with the net lowered to 34 inches at the centre, 36 inches at the posts. It is played with a perforated plastic ball (similar to a whiffle ball) and wood or composite paddles. It is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Regardless of skill level, it develops quickness of mind, faster reflexes, and uniquely activates portions of the brain that few other sports do. It is a highly social game, bringing players into an environment where contact with others is a requisite part of the sport. Its benefits for exercise and as a social experience are unparalleled. |
History of pickleball
First up: a Short Film on the Birthplace and Inventors of Pickleball by Mark Woytowich:
And another on the origins of Pickleball as recounted by its inventors at its 50th Anniversary from the PICKLEBALL Channel:
Why call it pickleball?
Pickleball has a very interesting name, especially since no pickles are used. Accounts of how the name originated differ:
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 recent KOMO News story on the "Eric's Heroes: The Birth of The Boom" further describes the circumstances of the inception of our wonderful sport. In fact in March 2022, Gov. Jay Inslee in the pic below, juggles a plastic ball on the Bainbridge Island court where pickleball first originated. Inslee signed a bill into law designating pickleball as the official Washington State sport.
- 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 rowing where the crew were chosen from the leftovers of other boats”.
- However, according to Barney McCallum, the game was officially named after the Prichards’ 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.”
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 recent KOMO News story on the "Eric's Heroes: The Birth of The Boom" further describes the circumstances of the inception of our wonderful sport. In fact in March 2022, Gov. Jay Inslee in the pic below, juggles a plastic ball on the Bainbridge Island court where pickleball first originated. Inslee signed a bill into law designating pickleball as the official Washington State sport.
Growth of Pickleball
2022 marks Pickleball's 57th anniversary where every State in the US and every Canadian Province now have multiple venues totalling approximately 1100 locations, adding 70+ every month in 2021 alone. This has resulted in a growth rate of 39.3% over 2 years, which prompted the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) in it's February 2022 Topline Participation Report to pronounce that Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US and we say, Canada.
Pickleball BC forecasts a membership of 11,000+ pickleball enthusiasts, increased sponsorship, further school grants, acoustic studies, adaptive programs, and more clubs (both dedicated and mixed sports) joining as Affiliate or Associate members. See "About Us" for more details. A 2022 survey by Pickleball Canada showed that the number of players has tripled in two years, with eight per cent of Canadian households reporting at least one household member playing pickleball once a month. That translates into about one million Canadians playing pickleball (5M in the US as reported by Pickleball US), 45 per cent of whom play four or more times per month. Baby boomers were some of the earliest adopters of the sport, though the number of 18–to-34-year-olds taking up the game is rising steadily. With fun and fitness often cited as the reason so many have picked up a racquet, it’s worth finding out just how much of a workout you get during a game of pickleball (800 to 1,000 calories is common for a "strong" match according to players we talk to).
Pickleball is ready for prime time. A recent story by Todd Plummer published originally in the NY Times, talks about the fact that he has found from his research that Pickleball is ready for prime time and everyone is trying it. Besides Leonardo DiCaprio as reported by Vanity Fair, celebs like Ellen Degeneres, Reese Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian and George Clooney (with his own home court), Canadian actor Matthew Perry, and even Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) have this healthy addiction. But it's not just the celebs who are driving participation in this sport!
Why is everyone giving Pickleball a try? Its appeal is that it is a "mashup" of all the racquet sports that we love and probably have participated in at one time or another - tennis, badminton, squash/racketball and ping pong. The court is smaller than a tennis court so not as much territory to cover. The ball is easy to hit, but with practice and skill, can be made to be much more difficult to return. Rules are simple (but scoring is probably not): rules made up to make it difficult to smash the ball for easy winners such as the "no-fly-zone NFZ" of the kitchen (7' no volley zone at the net); one bounce rules; and, underhand serves. Pickleball can be played inside or outside, singles or doubles (our educated guess is that approx 90% of the recreational games are doubles), mixed or not, and only a paddle and plastic ball needed if you have the court - or bring one with you via a portable net. And finally, doubles play can be as mind bending and strategic as a chess match as you improve.
And the best part is that Pickleball's avid followers are a very friendly group, social and multi-generational. Find a court where there is a group playing (the joyous sounds will lead you there as the neighbours go in the opposite direction), and you will be invited to join! Meet new friends and be prepared to have fun and laugh no matter whether you win or lose (changing partners is one of the best Pickleball game levellers), make great shots or not, and the best long lasting result is leading a healthy and social lifestyle.
Co$t & Ease of play
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