Why Is It Called Pickleball
To understand it in a better way first we should know about Pickleball. What exactly is pickleball? People more often ask what is Pickleball. Let’s have a glimpse
Pickleball is a super fun and social game that’s easy to pick up and play, It is a mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong games, which seems to be a more laid-back and accessible format to play.Here’s the scoop:
Pickleball is played on a small court (20 x 44 feet), about one-fourth the size of a tennis court. In the middle is a net that looks like a lower version of a tennis net. You can play it either one-on-one (singles) or two-on-two (doubles)—doubles is the more popular version.
Origin of Pickleball: From Scratch to Popularity
The story of pickleball’s origin is considered as one of the sense of creativity, family fun, and a simple desire to entertain children. It all began in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when three dads, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, unintentionally created a game that would later become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
The Beginning: A Summer’s Day on Bainbridge Island
In 1965, Joel Pritchard’s and his friend Bill Bell returned to Pritchard’s home after completing the round of golf. Their families were looking for a way to pass the time, so they decided that they would like to play badminton. But by coincidence, they couldn’t find a shuttlecock or the right equipment. So, Pritchard and Bell decided to involve some creativity in the game to spend the time.
They lowered the badminton net, picked up some table tennis paddles, and found a perforated plastic ball (similar to a waffle ball). The impromptu game that was emerged by a combination of several sports—tennis, badminton, and ping-pong—but it was much simpler and easier for everyone to play.
Barney McCallum Joins the Fun
The next weekend, another friend, Barney McCallum, was invited to join and play the new game. He helped to formalize some initiated rules. They kept the badminton net at a lowered height (36 inches at the edges, 34 inches at the center), designed the court dimensions to be smaller than a tennis court, and continued to use wooden paddles and a plastic ball.
Their goal was to create a game that was easy for everyone—regardless of age or athletic ability—to enjoy. The simplicity of the game allowed it to be fun and competitive without being too physically demanding.
How the Name Pickleball Came to Be
As the three families were playing consistently while updating some sort of rules in the game, they needed a name for it. The story origin of the name “pickleball” has the two popular stories associated with it:
The Pickle Boat Theory
According to Joan Pritchard, Joel Pritchard’s wife, the name “pickleball” was derived from the term pickle boat. In rowing, a pickle boat is made up of leftover oarsmen who were not chosen for the main crew. Similarly, Joan Pritchard felt the sport of pickleball was a “mishmash” of different sports, borrowing some elements from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, just like how a pickle boat is a hodgepodge of rowers. The idea was that pickleball, as a sport, was a combination of leftovers from other games.
The Dog Named Pickles Story
Another charming story, which has become widely told, is that the game was named after the Pritchard family dog, Pickles. As the tale goes, Pickles would chase after the ball and run off with it during games, leading the family to jokingly name the game after him. However, it turns out that the dog was actually adopted after the game was invented, so this story, while fun, is more folklore than fact.
Which Story is True?
While the dog-named Pickles story is more beloved and frequently told, Joan Pritchard clarified that the name “pickleball” actually came from the pickle boat analogy. Interestingly, the Pritchard family did have a dog named Pickles, but he was adopted after the game was created, which may have added to the confusion over time.
Developing the Rules and Equipment
As the game grew in popularity among family friends, McCallum, Pritchard, and Bell formalized the rules. The key rules included:
- Serve underhand: This was meant to make the game more accessible and less intimidating than tennis.
- Non-volley zone (the kitchen): A 7-foot area near the net where players couldn’t hit the ball before it bounced, making the game less about power and more about strategy.
- Simplified scoring: A point is only won by the serving team, and games are typically played to 11.
The game also required relatively little space. Pickleball courts could be set up in driveways, backyards, or gyms. The equipment evolved too: wooden paddles were the norm early on, but eventually lighter composite materials became available as the game spread.
The Spread Of Pickleball
Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, pickleball was largely a local game played among friends and families in the Pacific Northwest. Barney McCallum and his family were instrumental in promoting the game. He started making paddles in his basement and selling them, helping to spread awareness.
By the mid-1970s, the game’s popularity had spread beyond Washington state. Local parks and recreation departments began incorporating pickleball courts into their facilities, and the first known pickleball tournament took place in 1976 at South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington.
Pickleball Becomes Official
In 1984, the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) was formed to standardize the rules and promote the game across the country. This was a turning point in the sport’s growth. The first official rulebook was published, and organized tournaments began to pop up nationwide.
The sport’s accessibility and low cost made it popular in schools, retirement communities, and recreation centers. Players of all ages could pick up a paddle and start playing, making it a beloved pastime for families and communities.