Pickleball is a popular racquet sport that was invented in the mid 1960s by three fathers on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, and is played with a smaller court, lower net, and a smaller ball. It can be played indoors or outdoors, and is often played on a badminton-sized court with a specialized paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
But why is this sport called pickleball? The story goes that the game was originally named “Pritch-ball,” after one of the fathers who invented the game, Joel Pritchard. Pritchard was a Representative in the US Congress at the time, and the game was invented as a new activity for their families to play.
However, Pritchard’s wife reportedly suggested the name “pickleball” because the combination of different sports reminded her of the way a pickle is made by mixing different ingredients together. The name “pickleball” stuck, and the game has been called pickleball ever since.
But there is an additional layer to the name “pickleball.” According to some accounts, the Pickle family’s dog, Pickles, was also involved in the naming of the sport. The Pickles were reportedly playing the game in their backyard, and the dog chased the ball and retrieved it, leading to the name “pickleball.”
Regardless of the exact origin of the name, “pickleball” has become a well-known and widely used term for the sport. It is played by people of all ages and has gained popularity in the United States and beyond. It is a fun and inclusive activity that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels and fitness levels.