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Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a
short ferry ride from Seattle, WA. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and
Barney McCallum -whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities
are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original hand made
equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada.
The game is growing internationally as well with many European and Asian
countries adding courts.
The Basics
1. A fun sport that
combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.
2. Played both
indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis
net.
3. Played with a
paddle and a plastic ball.
The Court
A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton
court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both
singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34
inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right
and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net
(referred to as the “kitchen”). Courts can be constructed specifically for
pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.
Equipment
When playing pickleball, each player will need a pickleball
paddle, which is smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a ping-pong
paddle. Originally, paddles were made only from wood, however today’s paddles
have evolved dramatically and are primarily made of lightweight composite materials,including
aluminum and graphite. Players will also need a net and a pickleball. The ball
itself is unique, with holes through it like a wiffleball and there are
different ball models intended for indoor and outdoor play. The ball travels at
1/3 the speed of a tennis ball and is usually white or yellow in color. New
bright color balls are also gaining in popularity.
A Game for Everyone
- The USAPA currently estimates there are now over 400,000 players actively playing pickleball
- Pickleball facilities are located in all 50 states.
- Many kids and teenagers play it in physical education classes in middle and high schools.
- Seniors enjoy the social aspects and the ability to stay active in towns and retirement communities.
- Tennis, racquetball and ping pong players love the competitive nature of the sport and regularly participate in competitive tournaments.