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A Wiffle ball was the original ball used when the game was invented. USA Pickleball (USAP) has since adopted specific ball standards unique to pickleball. Balls must be made of a durable molded material with a smooth surface and must have between 26 and 40 evenly spaced circular holes.
Congressman Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell invented the game of pickleball one summer afternoon in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA. In Barney's own words, here is the story, along with views of the original (and oldest) pickleball courts in the world. The second video is 14 minutes and was recorded December 3, 2009 at Barney ...
Jan 8, 2024 · Pickleball History Summary. ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Pickleball emerged in the United States in 1965, invented by three friends seeking a family-friendly game. Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, it quickly gained popularity as a versatile and accessible sport.
- Overview
- Equipment and rules of play
- History, organization, and expansion
pickleball, fast-paced sport that has many similarities to tennis, badminton, and table tennis (Ping-Pong). It is played on a level court with short-handled paddles and a perforated hollow plastic ball that is volleyed over a low net. Matches feature two opposing players (singles) or two pairs of players (doubles), and the sport can be played eithe...
Pickleball equipment is relatively simple. An official court measures 20 by 44 feet (6.1 by 13.4 metres) for both singles and doubles matches; these are the same dimensions as a doubles court in badminton. The pickleball net is 34 inches (86 cm) high at its centre and 36 inches (91 cm) high at the sides of the court. Players use solid, smooth-surfaced paddles, typically made of wood or composite materials. Paddles may be no longer than 17 inches (43 cm). The combined length and width of a paddle may not exceed 24 inches (61 cm). There are no restrictions, however, on the thickness or weight of a paddle. The balls are lightweight and measure from 2.87 to 2.97 inches (7.3 to 7.5 cm) in diameter.
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Play starts with a cross-court serve from behind the baseline (the boundary line at each end of the court). Players must serve with an underhand stroke. The aim is to make the ball clear the net and land in the service area diagonally opposite the server, avoiding a designated non-volley zone (known as “the kitchen”) that extends 7 feet (2.1 metres) on either side of the net. The receiving player must let the ball bounce once before returning the serve. After one initial bounce on each side of the court, players can choose whether to volley the ball directly in the air or let it bounce before hitting it.
Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 by a group of neighbours on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The group included Washington state representative Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. Looking for a game to play with their families but lacking a full set of badminton equipment, the neighbours created a new sport using an old badminton court, Ping-Pong paddles, and a Wiffle ball (a perforated ball used in a version of baseball). They lowered the badminton net to roughly the height of a tennis net and also modified the other equipment.
Soon the group formulated the basic rules for pickleball. According to one account, the name pickleball was suggested by Pritchard’s wife, Joan Pritchard. The mixing of elements and equipment from several different sports reminded her of a “pickle boat,” which is a boat made up of rowers from different crews who race together for fun at the end of a rowing competition. Another account claims that the sport took its name from the Pritchards’ dog Pickles, though the family has stated that the dog was named after the sport.
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In 1972 the founders of pickleball established a corporation to advance the sport. The first pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington, four years later. The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (later known as USA Pickleball) was organized as a national governing body for the sport in 1984. That year the organization published the first official rulebook for pickleball. By the 1990s the sport was being played in every U.S. state. In the early 21st century it has seen incredible growth, and its wide appeal across age groups led community centres, YMCAs, and retirement communities to add pickleball courts to their facilities. The sport was also included in many physical education classes in schools. By 2022 pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the United States, with nearly five million participants. That year also saw a number of athletes, including Tom Brady and LeBron James, investing in Major League Pickleball.
Pickleball also became popular in other countries. In 2010 the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was organized to help develop the sport and promote it around the world. The original member associations were located in the United States, Canada, India, and Spain. Over the next decade the number of countries with IFP member associations and groups increased to more than 60. The IFP has specified one of its main goals to be gaining the inclusion of pickleball as a sport in the Olympic Games.
Pickleball history is a fascinating tale of the sport’s journey from a backyard pastime to a beloved international game. Founders of Pickleball. The story of pickleball begins with three friends, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, who invented the game in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Jan 10, 2024 · The Origin of Pickleball Story. The year was 1965, and the place was Bainbridge Island, Washington. Joel Pritchard, a congressman, and Bill Bell, a businessman, were trying to develop a new game to entertain their families during summer. They had a badminton court in their backyard, but the shuttlecocks kept getting lost in the grass.
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Apr 17, 2024 · Pickleball was invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in 1965. How did pickleball get its name? The name "pickleball" originated from Joel Pritchard's wife, Joan, who compared the game to a "pickle boat" race in which non-starters competed for fun.
