Key Points
- Research suggests Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum to entertain their families.
- It seems likely the game started as a backyard pastime, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and grew into a national sport by the 2000s.
- The evidence leans toward significant growth, with over 8.9 million players by 2023, making it the fastest-growing sport in the US.
- There is controversy over the name “Pickleball,” with some believing it comes from the term “pickle boat” in crew races, while others claim it was named after a dog, Pickles, though this is likely a myth.
Origins and Early Days of Pickleball
Pickleball began as a simple solution to boredom in 1965, when the founders improvised with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball, lowering the net for accessibility. This backyard game quickly evolved, blending multiple sports to suit all ages.
Growth and Formalization of the Game
By 1976, the first tournament was held, marking its expansion beyond Washington. The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (now USA Pickleball) was formed in 1984, formalizing rules and equipment, with growth surging in the 2000s, especially after its introduction to the Arizona Senior Olympics in 2001.
Modern Popularity and Unexpected Appeal
Today, Pickleball boasts over 8.9 million players and is played in thousands of locations across the US, with professional tours and international interest. An unexpected detail is its appeal to seniors, starting with the Arizona Senior Olympics, now also attracting younger players and even discussions about Olympic inclusion.
A Detailed Exploration of Pickleball’s History in the US
Pickleball, now a cultural phenomenon in the United States, traces its roots to a serendipitous moment in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. This exploration delves into its origins, evolution, and the personal stories that shaped its journey, offering a comprehensive look for enthusiasts and historians alike.
The Birth of Pickleball: A Backyard Invention
In the summer of 1965, Joel Pritchard, a Washington state congressman, Bill Bell, a successful businessman, and Barney McCallum, an entrepreneur, faced a common parental challenge: entertaining bored families during a vacation. After a golf game, Pritchard and Bell returned to find their children restless. Lacking a shuttlecock for badminton, they improvised with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a Wiffle ball, lowering the net to about 36 inches for accessibility. The following weekend, McCallum joined, and together, they crafted rules, aiming for a game that was easy to learn yet engaging, blending tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
This backyard creation, initially a family pastime, was born out of necessity. Frank Pritchard, Joel’s 13-year-old son, challenged them to “make up a game,” adding a personal touch to its inception. The first permanent court was built in 1967 in Bob O’Brian’s backyard, signaling early community interest.
The Name Debate: Pickle Boat or Pickles the Dog?
The name “Pickleball” has sparked debate, reflecting the sport’s quirky charm. Research by USA Pickleball suggests it likely derives from Joan Pritchard’s reference to the “pickle boat” in crew races, where oarsmen were chosen from leftovers, mirroring the game’s hybrid nature (History of Pickleball). However, a popular story claims it was named after the Pritchard’s dog, Pickles, who chased the ball. This myth was debunked, as Pickles was born in 1968, three years after the game’s invention. Barney McCallum held onto the dog story until his death, and a 1969-early 1970s interview saw Joel Pritchard jokingly suggest it, adding to the confusion. This controversy highlights the sport’s evolving narrative, with Joan Pritchard’s crew connection seeming more historically grounded.
Early Growth and Formalization
Pickleball remained a local phenomenon until 1972, when Pritchard, Bell, and McCallum formed Pickle-Ball, Inc., to protect and promote it. The first tournament in 1976 at the South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington, drew college tennis players, using large wood paddles and a softball-sized plastic ball, marking its competitive beginnings. Participants like David Lester, who won Men’s Singles, and Steve Paranto, who came second, were early adopters, practicing with rudimentary equipment.
The 1980s saw formalization with the United States Amateur Pickleball Association (USAPA, now USA Pickleball) organized in 1984, led by Sid Williams as Executive Director until 1998, followed by Frank Candelario until 2004. Arlen Paranto made about 1,000 composite paddles using fiberglass and nomex honeycomb, improving equipment quality. Joel Pritchard, who passed away in 1997 at age 72, was also known for his political roles, including Washington Lieutenant Governor (1988-1996). Bill Bell passed in 2006 at 83, leaving McCallum as the last living founder until his death in 2019 at 93.
Surge in Popularity: The 2000s and Beyond
The turn of the millennium marked Pickleball’s national ascent. In 2001, Earl Hill introduced it to the Arizona Senior Olympics at Happy Trails RV Resort in Surprise, Arizona, starting with 100 players and growing to nearly 300 over the years, highlighting its appeal to seniors. The first USAPA National Tournament in 2009 in Buckeye, Arizona, drew almost 400 players from 26 states and Canada, reflecting its broadening reach.
By 2013, Justin Maloof joined USAPA as the first full-time Executive Director, with membership at 4,071. Barney McCallum, a special guest at the 2013 and 2018 National Championships, shared history and rules in videos like “The Pickleball Story” (7 min, Aug 11, 2013) and an interview (14 min, Dec 3, 2009) (History of Pickleball). His presence, court-side and at ambassador dinners, brought tears seeing the sport’s advancement.
Membership surged, reaching 10,000 in 2015, 17,000 in 2016, and 30,000 in 2018, with the 2018 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships at Indian Wells Tennis Garden drawing over 2,200 participants, a $75,000 cash purse, and reaching over 1.5 million viewers on ESPN3 and ESPNEWS. By 2021, membership hit 53,000, with media coverage on NBC’s The Today Show, CNBC, and publications like The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.
Current Landscape and Unexpected Reach
As of 2023, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association reported 8.9 million players, up from 4.8 million in 2022, with USA Pickleball membership at 70,000, a 30% growth in 2022. The 2023 Championships in Dallas, presented by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, underscored its professionalization. An unexpected reach is its transformation from a senior-focused activity to a multi-generational sport, with professional tours and discussions about Olympic inclusion, reflecting its global ambition.
Key Figures and Personal Anecdotes
Barney McCallum, known as “The Ambassador of Pickleball,” was pivotal in manufacturing early paddles by hand, starting Pickle-Ball, Inc. in 1972, and promoting the sport. Anecdotes include him and his son David tinkering with the kitchen line placement in 1966, moving it to seven feet to prevent a tall player from dominating, shared during a nostalgic lunch at the Seattle Yacht Club in 2017 (Lunch with Barney McCallum). His videos, like the 2009 interview, detailed rule reasoning and name origin, adding depth to the sport’s history.
Joel Pritchard’s son Frank’s challenge to “make up a game” in 1965 encapsulates the familial roots, while Joan Pritchard’s crew connection to the name adds a cultural layer. Earl Hill’s introduction to seniors in Arizona was a turning point, and Arlen Paranto’s paddle innovations supported growth.
Statistical Growth: A Table of Milestones
| Year | Milestone | Membership/Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Invented on Bainbridge Island by Pritchard, Bell, McCallum | N/A |
| 1976 | First tournament at South Center Athletic Club, Tukwila, WA | N/A |
| 1984 | USAPA organized, first rulebook published | N/A |
| 2001 | Introduced in Arizona Senior Olympics | ~100 players initially |
| 2009 | First USAPA National Tournament in Buckeye, AZ | ~400 players |
| 2015 | Membership surpassed 10,000, SFIA reported 2 million players | 10,000 members |
| 2018 | Membership at 30,000, Championships drew 2,200 participants | 30,000 members |
| 2021 | Membership at 53,000, Championships had 2,300 players | 53,000 members |
| 2023 | SFIA reported 8.9 million players, membership at 70,000 | 70,000 members, 8.9M players |
This table highlights the exponential growth, from a backyard game to a national sport, with significant milestones in membership and player numbers.
Conclusion
Pickleball’s history is a tapestry of innovation, community, and personal stories, from its 1965 inception to its 2023 prominence. It remains a game for all, embodying the spirit of its founders and the unexpected reach into professional and international arenas, promising a vibrant future.
