Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Ever wondered how a game invented by three friends to amuse their families on a lazy day could become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States and beyond?
That’s the story of pickleball, created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Joel Pritchard — a congressman from Washington state — together with an engineer named Bill Bell and businessman and WWII Navy veteran Barney McCallum, combined a badminton court, a lowered net, ping-pong paddles, and a perforated plastic ball to craft a game anyone could enjoy.
WHAT ABOUT THE NAME?
Blending elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, pickleball is designed to be accessible for all ages and skill levels. And if you’ve ever wondered about its quirky name, you’re not alone. Some say it’s named after Pritchard’s dog, Pickles, who loved chasing the ball.
Others believe, according to pickleballCabin.com, the game was named pickleball by Pritchard’s wife, Joan Pritchard, who compared the sport to the “pickle boat” in rowing — a crew made up of leftover rowers — nonstarters who would race for fun.
Regardless of its odd name origin, pickleball is sweeping the nation, winning hearts and paddles everywhere — even right here in Granbury!
A LANGUAGE ALL ITS OWN
Pickleball has developed a unique jargon that adds to the sport’s charm and strategy. Terms like “dink,” a soft shot played close to the net, and “Erne,” named after a player who perfected the move involving jumping over the corner of the kitchen (nonvolley zone) to intercept a shot before it bounces, are standard terms bandied about.
Another popular term is the “ATP” or “Around the Post,” a shot that players use to send the ball around the net post rather than over it, creating an unexpected angle.
The game uses comical language, such as “bangers” for players who hit the ball hard and “third shot drop” for a soft shot intended to neutralize aggressive play, reflecting its blend of strategy, skill and fun.
“Pickleball is perfect for all ages,” retired teacher and coach Miles Broughton said. “I was one of the early people that started pickleball here in the county.” He has organized leagues, clinics and fundraising for the local pickleball association. He emphasized the sport’s accessibility: “Pickleball is perfect for all ages. Grandparents can play with their grandchildren, and it’s a game that brings people together, regardless of their age or skill level.”
In pickleball, the “kitchen” refers to the nonvolley zone, which is a 7-foot area on either side of the net. Players are not allowed to hit the ball while standing in this zone unless the ball has already bounced in the kitchen.
The kitchen rule in pickleball makes the game easier for more people by balancing things out. It prevents stronger players from dominating with powerful shots at the net and encourages longer rallies and different types of shots, which is excellent for beginners and those still learning.
The rule also adds a strategic element, requiring players to think carefully about where they stand and how they hit the ball. It also reduces the risk of injuries from fast play near the net, which is essential for casual players.
One common misconception about pickleball is that it is easy for tennis players to master without adjustments.
CROSSING OVER FROM TENNIS
Mickey Daniel, a retired minister of music and a former avid tennis player, said, “It’s a lot like tennis, but with a different strategy,” he noted. “The ball doesn’t bounce as high, and the smaller court requires more strategic play. But the game of pickleball is evolving, and each generation brings new tactics.”
Broughton adds, “It’s not hard, but it’s not just an instant crossover. Tennis players often need to adapt their techniques.”
Pickleball’s scoring system is similar to table tennis, where the top score is 11; however, the winner must win by two points.
A WELCOMING SPORT
Damon Berry, a retired Delta Airlines pilot, recalls his first encounter with pickleball at a local gym. “As soon as they see someone come in, somebody hands you a paddle and says, ‘Come on over here and try it out,’” Berry said. “You make friends the first time you step onto a court.”
Berry, now a regular player and referee, attributes pickleball’s notoriety to its inclusive nature. “The ball travels more slowly, and the paddle is short, so you don’t have to chase it like in tennis,” he explained. “It’s very easy to become fairly good in a short time.
“But,” Berry emphasized, “it’s not just the ease of play that makes pickleball appealing: The social aspect is just as important. You spend a fair amount of downtime waiting for a court to open up, so you sit there and talk. People you’ve never known before — you spend most of your time talking, laughing and giggling.”
Daniel agrees. “Once you start playing pickleball, you get hooked,” he said. Daniel has traveled across the country to participate in tournaments, finding joy in the game and the friendships he’s made. “I’ve met so many new people,” he shared. “Now that I’m retired, I play a lot in Dallas, and the people are super friendly.”
Eva Myers, who turned to pickleball to regain strength after cancer treatments, also highlights the sport’s camaraderie. “Most of our friends since we started playing pickleball are all pickleball friends,” she said. “The people we socialize with all the time are from the game.”
BECOMING YOUNGER
Initially seen as a pastime for retirees, the sport increasingly attracts younger players. “Now, anywhere you go, it’s about 60/40, people over 50 versus people under 50,” Berry noted. Young players are joining professional ranks, some receiving coaching and training as they would in more traditional sports.
A standout moment in Broughton’s pickleball journey was the national championship held in Dallas, where he volunteered. “It was a highlight for me,” he said. “I’ve also had memorable experiences like hosting a professional player from Croatia. He played two hours with us which was a great experience for everyone.”
GROWING LIKE A WEED
Locally, the sport is making waves in Hood County, with churches and new facilities opening up courts. “We’ve been playing pickleball mainly at churches like First Methodist and Granbury Baptist,” Daniel said. “It’s still in its infancy here but growing fast.”
Pickleball’s growth isn’t just limited to small communities; it’s a sport on the rise globally, with more than 70 countries now playing the game — a significant step toward its goal of becoming an Olympic sport. “There’s talk about the Olympics,” Berry noted. “The professional ranks are evolving, with more tournaments, more sponsorships and more money involved.”
Organizations like USA Pickleball and the International Federation of Pickleball are working to standardize rules and promote international competitions. Big-name sponsors like Skechers and healthcare companies are also backing the sport, further fueling its growth.
A SPORT FOR ALL
Unlike many sports, pickleball requires minimal investment to get started. Myers noted that pickleball is not an expensive hobby unless one opts for travel. “We do travel to tournaments and try to go to areas where we want to visit, so it becomes both a vacation and a pickleball tournament,” she explained.
Broughton also emphasizes the sport’s accessibility. “Pickleball attire is as varied as its players, with no specific dress code required. Players can wear anything from long pants to shorts or tennis skirts.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY AND CONNECTIONS
At its core, pickleball is about more than just the game. It’s about community and connection. “You can’t be alone in this sport,” Berry said, smiling as he spoke about the friendships formed on the court.
Daniel echoed this sentiment. “It’s accessible to everyone, and once you try it, you’re hooked. I always tell people just to give it a try — it only takes once.”
With its blend of strategy, skill and social interaction, pickleball thrives, bringing people of all ages together and creating lasting connections on and off the court. As Broughton observed, “It’s an equal opportunity sport. When you show up with your paddle, you’re embraced by the community.”
Pickleball’s renown is due to its low cost, easy entry and inclusive nature, and it shows no signs of slowing down. And as local players like Berry, Daniel, Myers and Broughton can attest, it’s not just about the game itself but the people and the community that keep them coming back.
The sport’s rapid rise in popularity has led to a unique problem: a shortage of courts. In the famous baseball movie Field of Dreams, a voice tells Kevin Costner’s character, “Build it, and they will come,” referring to a baseball diamond in the middle of nowhere.
But with pickleball, it seems the opposite has happened — they have come and are coming in droves. PickleballCabin.com states, “It’s the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with over 36 million players in 2023.” Cities and towns are scrambling to build enough courts to keep up with demand.
Pat Tammaro reported on PickleballDinks.com that the 2023 Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) Topline Participation Report announced that pickleball continued to be America’s fastest-growing sport for the third year in a row out of 124 sports tracked.
In its Annual Growth Report, USAPickleball.org revealed that six out of every 10 pickleball players is male, and the 18-34 age bracket represents the largest age bracket of pickleball players, totaling 28.8% of all players.
All indications are that pickleball is getting younger every year.
WHERE TO PLAY
Looking ahead, Broughton sees the sport’s continued growth and its potential inclusion in schools. “Granbury has already painted pickleball markings on their middle school courts,” he noted. “I think it’s coming to more schools soon.”
PickleballDinks.com is just one of a wellspring of pickleball-related websites offering everything from statistics to history, rules and places to play.
It states that California has the highest number of places to play pickleball at 794, followed by Florida at 770 and Texas at 519.
Brandon Mackie reports on Pickleheads.com that as of 2024, there are 13,929 known places in the U.S. to play pickleball and that 130 new courts are constructed monthly.
Notable membership-only spots in Hood County include private clubs like DeCordova Bend Estates and Pecan Plantation. Granbury’s YMCA offers public play through membership.
Still, some facilities may have limited access or require users to bring their own nets, according to Pickleballify.com, a handy site where visitors can access a map and details of pickleball court locations nearby.
For the industrious player with a sizeable driveway, instructions for taping off a pickleball court can be found at: www.nycpickleball.com/blog/how-to-tape-a-pickleball-court#:
From public parks to community centers, players of all ages and skill levels are clamoring for space to play. This surge in enthusiasm has left cities like Granbury racing to catch up as pickleball fever continues to spread across the nation with no signs of slowing down.
With its low cost, easy entry and inclusive nature, pickleball continues to thrive, reflecting its rapid popularity and positive impact on communities everywhere.
Pickleball’s rich history and myriad benefits make it a sport that may well stand the test of time. From its humble beginnings in the 1960s to its rise as a beloved pastime for people of all ages, pickleball offers a unique blend of fun, fitness and community.
