Pickleball??
The game with the funny name!
Once upon a time, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, two friends, Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell, returned home after playing golf to find their families bored and restless. They searched for some badminton equipment to entertain themselves but found only ping-pong paddles and a plastic ball with holes. They started playing with what they had, improvising the game as they went along.Initially, they set the net at a height of 60 inches, similar to badminton. However, as they played, they found that the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface, so they lowered the net to 36 inches. The game became more fun and exciting as they continued to play.The following weekend, a new player, Barney McCallum, joined the game, and together they created rules for their new invention. They took inspiration from badminton but kept in mind that the game should be suitable for the whole family to play together.Thus, pickleball was born - a game that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. It has become a popular sport played by people of all ages and abilities.Who knew that a simple game of improvisation could turn into such a phenomenon? Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell certainly didn't, but their ingenuity has left a lasting legacy. So, the next time you find yourself with nothing to do on a lazy afternoon, grab some ping-pong paddles and a plastic ball and see what kind of game you can come up with. Who knows, you might just invent the next big thing!
Pickleball was created in 1965.
The USAPA, which was formed in 2005, is the governing body of Pickleball in the United States. Its primary objective is to promote the sport and provide a platform for players to compete at a national level. The organization is led by an Executive Director and a volunteer board of directors, with the support of thousands of dues-paying members. In March 1984, the first rulebook was published, which has since been updated to reflect the evolution of the sport. In 2020, the USAPA rebranded as "USA Pickleball" to align more consistently with other US sports governing bodies and the USA Pickleball National Championships. The organization maintains the official rules, sanctions tournaments, provides player rankings, and produces the annual National Pickleball Tournament.
popularity!
According to the SFIA report of 2021, the total number of participants playing pickleball has exceeded 4,004,113, which is a significant increase from the 2017 report of 2,815,000 participants. It is noteworthy that there has been a 21.3% increase in the number of pickleball participants from 2019 to 2020. The average age of all players is reported to be 41 years old, as per the SFIA report of 2019. Furthermore, the SFIA report of 2021 states that there were 2,578,000 male pickleball participants and 1,193,000 college graduate pickleball participants in 2020. These statistics highlight the growing popularity of pickleball as a sport among people of different age groups and educational backgrounds.
Where to play?
We would like to inform you that there are currently over 9,707 places to play Pickleball in North America alone. If you are interested in finding these locations, you may click "Where/When to play?" on our website or download our "Pickleball Locator" app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Pickleball, The Name
We would like to bring to your attention the interesting history behind the name of the sport called Pickleball. Despite its name, no pickles are used in the game. There are two accounts of how the name originated, and both are quite intriguing. The first account comes from Joan Pritchard, wife of Joel Pritchard, who started calling the game Pickleball because it reminded her of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats. The second account, according to Barney McCallum, is that the game was officially named after the Prichards’ dog Pickles who would chase the ball and run off with it. As per 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.” It is believed that both accounts may actually be true. During 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.
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Pickleball Cares on #GivingTuesday Pickleball Channel on November 28, 2023 at 7:59 am
❤️ Pickleball Cares is trying to help grow the sport of #pickleball among youth. Consider helping them outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More and/or players that a live ballThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More has not touched in the required courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More space. The preferred word to indicate a line callA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More is
-> Continue reading Pickleball Cares on #GivingTuesday Pickleball Channel on November 28, 2023 at 7:59 am
Columbus Sliders v Brooklyn Aces – MLP DALLAS 2023 Pickleball Channel on November 18, 2023 at 1:45 am
Brooklyn Aces fight for the point against Columbus Sliders during MLP Dallas. Andrea Koop/Catherine Parenteau v Megan Fudge/Megan Dizon. #pickleballaddict #pickleballislife #pickleballhighlight #pickleballplayers #wheelchairpickleball #parapickleball _______________________________________ Connect with Pickleball Channel Online: Visit the Pickleball Channel WEBSITE: http://www.pickleballchannel.com Like Pickleball Channel on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pickleballchannel/ Follow Pickleball Channel on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PickleballChan Follow Pickleball Channel on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballchannel/,
-> Continue reading Columbus Sliders v Brooklyn Aces – MLP DALLAS 2023 Pickleball Channel on November 18, 2023 at 1:45 am
Pickleball Channel is live @ USA Pickleball Nationals Pickleball Channel on November 6, 2023 at 11:11 pm
Join Rusty on a walk through!, Post Content,
Pickleball Net Doctor: The Perfect Repair Solution…
In conclusion, the Pickleball Net Doctor Center Post Repair Kit is an innovative, easy-to-use solution for maintaining portable Pickleball net systems. Whether for emergency repairs, permanent solutions, or simply as a preventative measure, this kit proves to be a game-changer in ensuring an uninterrupted and enjoyable Pickleball experience.
Kawamotos unstoppable at MLP Dallas Pickleball Channel on November 4, 2023 at 4:32 am
Jade and Jackie Kawamoto have so much consistency with their shots as displayed here in the Women’s Doubles matchup at MLP Dallas. Watch more this weekend at @MajorLeaguePickleball! Don’t miss it. @dcpickleballteam #pickleball #pickleballaddict #pickleballislife #pickleballhighlight #pickleballplayers _______________________________________ Connect with Pickleball Channel Online: Visit the Pickleball Channel WEBSITE: http://www.pickleballchannel.com Like Pickleball Channel on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pickleballchannel/
-> Continue reading Kawamotos unstoppable at MLP Dallas Pickleball Channel on November 4, 2023 at 4:32 am
➡️ Brendon Long with the ATP at APP Houston Open Pickleball Channel on October 29, 2023 at 4:07 am
Brendon LongA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More and/or players that a live ballThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More has not touched in the required courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More space. The preferred word to indicate a line callA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More is “OUTA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line callA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More. Words such as
-> Continue reading ➡️ Brendon LongA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More with the ATP at APP Houston Open Pickleball Channel on October 29, 2023 at 4:07 am
English Nationals 2023 Men’s Doubles Final Pickleball Channel on October 29, 2023 at 4:04 am
➡️ Check outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More and/or players that a live ballThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More has not touched in the required courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More space. The preferred word to indicate a line callA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More is “OUTA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line callA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More. Words such
-> Continue reading English Nationals 2023 Men’s Doubles Final Pickleball Channel on October 29, 2023 at 4:04 am
Picklebowl 2023 – Phillip Phillips Jump Smash Pickleball Channel on September 22, 2023 at 5:15 am
The 2023 Picklebowl took place this past week in Atlanta, Georgia to benefit the Wuerffel Foundation created by NFL Superstar Danny Wuerffel. Sports Icons, Celebrities and Pickleball Pros all got together to bring attention to the Wuerffel Foundation’s life mission to Inspire Greater Service and Unity in Local Communities. While the 2023 PickleBowl event is
-> Continue reading Picklebowl 2023 – Phillip Phillips Jump Smash Pickleball Channel on September 22, 2023 at 5:15 am
New MLP Teams for these players! #pickleball Pickleball Channel on September 18, 2023 at 5:55 pm
Who will Irina, Catherine, Anna Leigh and Lea play for this week in Season 2 of @MajorLeaguePickleball? Watch this amazing point from Season 1 to see remember how great MLP events are and see the team each player will be playing for starting this Friday. Watch Challenger League starting Thursday and Premier League starting Friday
-> Continue reading New MLP Teams for these players! #pickleball Pickleball Channel on September 18, 2023 at 5:55 pm