Pickleball at 60: From a Bored Family Game to a National Phenomenon

 

Celebrating Six Decades of Innovation, Community, and Unprecedented Growth in America and Beyond

In the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, a chance improvisation on an old badminton court gave birth to what is now one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports. When Congressman Joel Pritchard, businessman Bill Bell, and neighbor Barney McCallum gathered to entertain their families with a makeshift game using ping-pong paddles, a spark was lit that would transform backyard fun into a global phenomenon. As we mark the 60th anniversary of pickleball in 2025, we look back on its humble origins, chart its remarkable growth, and consider what the future may hold for this uniquely American pastime.

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A Timeline of Pickleball’s Growth

• 1965: Inception on Bainbridge Island
  After a round of golf left their families idle, Pritchard and Bell improvised a game using an old badminton court, table tennis paddles, and a perforated plastic ball. The game—later dubbed “pickleball” (a name inspired by the “pickle boat” concept, not the family dog, as research shows the dog was born later)—was born in that carefree summer afternoon. en.wikipedia.org

• 1967: The First Dedicated Court
  A permanent pickleball court was constructed in the backyard of Bob O’Brian, a neighbor of Pritchard, cementing the game’s transition from spontaneous play to an organized sport. playpickleball.com

• 1972–1976: Early Media and Tournaments
  By 1972, a corporation was formed to protect the game’s innovation, and soon after, major publications like the National Observer and Tennis Magazine began chronicling pickleball’s rise. In 1976, the first official tournament was held at South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington, heralding the sport’s competitive future. playpickleball.com

• 1984: National Organization and Rulebook
  The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (USAPA) was established in 1984, publishing the sport’s first official rulebook and launching a national movement that would soon see pickleball played in all 50 states. en.wikipedia.org
  
  

• 1990s–2000s: Expansion and Innovation
  As pickleball spread across the country, innovations such as composite paddles and dedicated facilities emerged. The sport’s increasing popularity was underscored by the launch of the first pickleball website in 1999, connecting players and enthusiasts nationwide. onixpickleball.com

• 2010–2023: Record-Breaking Growth
  With millions of players in the United States and an ever-expanding international presence, pickleball’s momentum has continued unabated. In 2023, estimates put the number of U.S. players at over 13.6 million, and the sport was named the fastest-growing sport in America for three consecutive years. en.wikipedia.org

• 2025: The Diamond Jubilee of Pickleball
  As the sport celebrates its 60th anniversary—a milestone often associated with diamond jubilees—the world is watching pickleball’s continuing evolution, both as a competitive pursuit and a unifying recreational activity.

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The Evolution of a Game: From Backyard Play to Global Recognition

Origins and Innovation:
What began as a simple, improvised game to relieve boredom has evolved into a structured sport with a governing body, dedicated courts, and professional tournaments. The ingenuity of early pioneers has led to standardized equipment, comprehensive rulebooks, and organized competitions that have united communities from small towns to major cities.

Community and Culture:
Pickleball’s appeal lies in its accessibility and its low barrier to entry. It is a game that welcomes players of all ages and fitness levels—a sport that has fostered social interaction and community engagement across the United States and increasingly around the globe. Its rapid adoption has transformed local parks, community centers, and even private clubs into hubs of athletic activity.

Professionalization and Media Exposure:
The establishment of professional tours and leagues in recent years has further propelled the sport into the mainstream. With televised tournaments, sponsorship deals, and celebrity endorsements, pickleball now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with more established sports, capturing the imagination of millions and inspiring a new generation of athletes.

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Global 60th Anniversaries in 2025: A Year of Reflection and Celebration

2025 is not only the year of pickleball’s diamond jubilee but also a landmark for countless historical anniversaries around the world. As nations and institutions commemorate 60 years since pivotal events in civil rights, science, and culture, pickleball’s milestone offers a unique lens through which to view global progress. For instance:

• Civil Rights and Social Change:
  Many significant social reforms and movements that reshaped societies in the mid-1960s—such as the Voting Rights Act and landmark court decisions—reach their 60th anniversary in 2025, reminding us how far communities have come and how sports like pickleball embody the spirit of inclusion and unity.

• Scientific and Cultural Milestones:
  Innovations and discoveries from the 1960s, spanning from space exploration to advancements in civil liberties, are celebrated this year alongside sports achievements. These anniversaries highlight an era of creativity and transformation, mirroring pickleball’s own journey from improvised game to celebrated sport.

• A Broader Global Context:
  With more than 3,600 historical anniversaries listed for 2025, the pickleball celebration joins a chorus of global commemorations. This collective reflection underscores a worldwide commitment to progress, remembrance, and the celebration of human ingenuity across disciplines—from politics and art to technology and athletics.

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Summary and Future Projections

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of pickleball in 2025, the sport stands as a testament to the power of innovation born out of necessity. What began on a simple backyard court has grown into a multi-million participant sport that not only provides physical fitness but also fosters social connection and community pride. The timeline of pickleball’s evolution—from its improvised beginnings in 1965, through rapid national expansion in the 1980s and a media-fueled boom in the 21st century—illustrates a dynamic trajectory marked by inclusivity, technological advancement, and competitive spirit.

Looking forward, the future of pickleball appears brighter than ever. Projections indicate that the sport will continue its rapid expansion globally, with increasing investments in infrastructure, professional leagues, and international competitions. Innovations in equipment and training methodologies are expected to refine the game further, while initiatives to include pickleball in multi-sport events and possibly the Olympics could elevate its status to new heights. As the world commemorates not only pickleball’s diamond jubilee but also a host of 60th anniversary milestones across history, this year serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a herald of exciting possibilities on the horizon.

In the words of early pioneers, what started as a game to “end summer boredom” has evolved into a symbol of collective creativity and community spirit. In 2025, as we honor 60 years of pickleball, we also celebrate the broader tapestry of human progress—a legacy that continues to inspire innovation and unity across the globe.

2022 Pickleball the official state sport of Washington State

 

SENATE BILL 5615

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Bill would declare pickleball the official state sport of Washington

KXLY Spokane, WA December 29, 2021

OLYMPIA, Wash – Two Washington senators want the legislature to declare pickleball as the official state sport.

A Washington congressman named Joel McFee Pritchard and his friends invented pickleball on Bainbridge Island in 1965, according to USA Pickleball.

“These men created the game at Pritchard’s summer cabin after they ‘persuaded’ their abnormally hyper children to go outside to play a few games of badminton, but there was no pickleball equipment to be found,” reads Senate Bill 5615. “Instead, these fathers did some brainstorming and created a new game using ping-pong paddles, a net, and a neighbor’s plastic Wiffle ball.”

The bill says the rules they created are still in use today by the USA Pickleball Association.

Senators John Lovick of Mill Creek and Sam Hunt from Olympia pre-filed the bill for the legislative session, which gets underway in early January.

“The legislature intends to honor and recognize the Washingtonians who created, popularized and continue to enjoy this sport by designating pickleball the official sports of the state of Washington.”

Here's a sporting idea: Make pickleball the official state sport

Mill Creek Beacon December 30, 2021 

Like other states, Washington claims its share of official symbols: the state flower is, of course, the rhododendron. The state bird? American goldfinch. Fish? Steelhead. Tree? Western hemlock. Fruit? Apple (natch).

We even have a state dance (square dance) and folk song ("Roll On, Columbia, Roll On"). Thank you, Woody Guthrie.

It might be a surprise to some, then, that Washington doesn't have an official state sport.

With the help of newly-appointed state Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, pickleball enthusiasts hope to fix that oversight.

Yes, pickleball.

To the uninitiated, pickleball – a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong – is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., with more than 4.2 million players.

Sen. Lovick just dropped Senate Bill 5615 for consideration in the upcoming legislative session to make pickleball the official state sport of Washington. Sen. Sam Hunt of Olympia has signed on, and other legislators are interested, Lovick said.

Lovick didn't pick pickleball out of a hat. He said he and Mill Creek Beacon columnist Chuck Wright were talking last summer about the lack of an official state sport, and Wright encouraged Lovick to consider pickleball.

Wright, a fount of knowledge about all things Washington, noted that pickleball was actually invented here.

The movement's momentum really took off following a chance encounter in Kate Van Gent's driveway. She was arriving at her Mill Creek home a few months ago, just as Lovick was walking away from her front door. He was doorbelling for City Council candidate Melissa Duque at the time.

They began to chat, and she explained she was exhausted from playing five hours of pickleball. Seeing an opportunity, Lovick told her he was considering the pickleball legislation and asked for her help. Kismet.

Van Gent had taken up the sport at the start of the pandemic. She had been a pilates enthusiast, but COVID forced the closure of indoor gyms and other workout facilities, so she was looking for an alternative. (Read More)

Senate Bill 5615 Press Reports

1. Bill would declare pickleball the official state sport of Washington KXLY Spokane, WA December 29, 2021
2. Here's a sporting idea: Make pickleball the official state sport Mill Creek Beacon December 30, 2021
3. Local-led effort trying to make pickleball official state sport Everett Herald January 8, 2022
4. Bill would name pickleball official Washington state sport KING 5 News January 12, 2022
5. Pickleball to be Touted as the Official Sport of Washington State The Island Wanderer January 12, 2022 
6. State senators propose making pickleball Washington's official sport USA TODAY January 13, 2022
7. Legislature looks to honor pickleball’s Washington origins as official state sport The Spokesman-Review January 13, 2022
8. Pickleball Points: State senators propose making pickleball Washington's official sport Palm Springs Desert Sun  January 13, 2022
9. Governor Jay Inslee Press Conference January 13, 2022 Clip
10. What's happening with schools, snow, and... pickleball? We've got you covered KUOW Public Radio NPR January 14, 2022
11. Push to make pickleball the official state sport FOX 13 Seattle January 14, 2022

Senate Bill 5615 Newsletters

• February 2022: Senate Bill 5615 Newsletter
• March 2022:  Washington State Sport Newsletter

Green Lake Pickleball

 

Green Lake Pickleball: Where Community and Sport Collide Discover the Inclusive World of Pickleball at Green Lake and Forge Friendships on the Court

The name derives from the term “pickle boat,” a crew moniker for the boat comprised of the rowers left over after everyone else has picked a boat. That name was, supposedly, in reference to the hodgepodge combination of equipment used in those early pickleball games (Ping-Pong paddles, a badminton net and a perforated plastic ball) but in some ways is appropriate to the players themselves; with pickleball, your partner or opponent can be anyone. The game is intimate, essentially like full-size table tennis, with players thwacking a little hollow plastic ball over a small net, close enough to look each other in the face and even have conversations while playing without having to shout.

Local pickleball enthusiast Peter Seitel is the unofficial mayor of this ersatz community of like-minded ball picklers; he makes the required reservations during prime play time (weekday afternoons and weekend mornings) working around individual tennis reservations and school tennis groups, and champions their cause with the Parks Department and the city, campaigning for things like more visible court lines and lighting, and collecting numbers on the players and court usage. According to Seitel’s surveys, the scene at Green Lake is a bit younger than what is generally perceived as the average pickleball player — it is sometimes seen as a sport for senior citizens — and perhaps due to its centrality or its openness, is surprisingly diverse and youthful; some numbers from Pete’s unofficial survey suggests that roughly 70% of the people who show up to play are between the ages of 20 and 40, and the average age is 36.

And when they come, they come to both play and bond with each other, a somewhat unique situation in a city increasingly built around “networking events” which, with their implied pecuniary ulterior motives, make it difficult to actually build authentic connections. During peak times (afternoons and weekends, the best time to come as a drop-in beginner) there are 70 to 100 players out on those courts on a given afternoon, playing or waiting their turn, passing the time by chit-chatting. True community building can be a lost art in urban centers with skyrocketing rent, but the people showing up at Green Lake with their rackets are there because they like playing pickleball and, as with children, the desire to play is often enough to make a friend. (Source: Seattle Times, Pickleball at Green Lake is a great way to meet new friends, March 18, 2024)

Swingin' on Green Lake: A Pickleball Jam

In Seattle's heart, where the vibe's just right, At East Green Lake Park, where days turn to night, Pickleball's the game, since 1965 it's been the spark, A Washington invention, where players embark.

With rackets in hand, and spirits so high, Underneath the sunny, open sky, Friends are made, as the balls do fly, In this jazzy scene, where the spirits don't die.

No need to fret if you're new to the game, At Green Lake, all are treated the same, From the seasoned pros to the rookies just in, Each rally and match is a chance to begin.

The courts may be tennis, but they're pickleball through, A fusion of sports, where friendships accrue, In this melting pot of yellow and blue, Where the game's not just pickle, it's a rhythm anew.

Peter Seitel, the maestro, orchestrates the show, With data and passion, he makes sure it'll grow, He's the heart and soul of this vibrant flow, Where the sound of laughter is the status quo.

So come on down to Green Lake's shore, Where the pickleball vibes are forevermore, In this place where friendships soar, And the game's not just pickle, it's an open door.

Jumbo's Pickleball opens in Beaverton

 

 

Jumbo's Pickleball opened in Beaverton on Friday. KGW Sunrise meteorologist Rod Hill had the chance to learn some skills on the court.

What is Pickleball? A Student Report

 

Mastering Pickleball: A Beginner's Guide to the Fast-Growing Sport

Learn the Basics, Rules, and Techniques to Enjoy Pickleball with Friends and Family

Introduction: Pickleball, a fusion of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, has emerged as a popular sport offering both recreation and competition. Originating in 1965, it has rapidly gained momentum worldwide, appealing to diverse age groups. In this instructional guide, we'll delve into the fundamentals of pickleball, including its history, rules, equipment, and strategies, to help you kickstart your journey into this exciting game.

How-To Guide: Pickleball, a blend of fun and strategy, requires minimal equipment and can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. Here's how to get started:

1. Understanding the Basics:

• Pickleball is played on a court similar to a tennis court but smaller, with a net that's lower.
• The game can be played singles or doubles.
• Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials and a plastic ball with holes, similar to a whiffle ball.

2. Learning the Rules:

• Serving: The ball must be served underhand, below the waist, and diagonally cross-court.
• Scoring: Games typically go to 11 or 15 points, and points can only be scored by the serving team.
• Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, each team must let the ball bounce once on their side before volleys are allowed.
• Non-Volley Zone: A seven-foot area near the net where players cannot volley the ball.

3. Mastering Techniques:

• Grip: Hold the paddle with a firm yet relaxed grip, allowing for control and flexibility.
• Footwork: Move swiftly and anticipate the ball's trajectory to position yourself effectively.
• Volleys: Practice hitting volleys with precision, aiming for accuracy and placement rather than power.
• Strategy: Utilize angles, placement, and teamwork to outsmart your opponents and control the pace of the game.

4. Choosing the Right Equipment:

• Paddles: Select a paddle that suits your playing style and skill level, considering factors such as weight, grip size, and material.
• Balls: Opt for high-quality pickleballs designed for durability and consistent bounce.

5. Playing the Game:

• Start with friendly matches to get a feel for the game and improve your skills gradually.
• Attend clinics or watch instructional videos to refine your techniques and learn advanced strategies.
• Join local pickleball communities or clubs to connect with fellow players and participate in organized events and tournaments.

Summary:

Pickleball, a dynamic and inclusive sport, offers a blend of physical activity, social interaction, and strategic gameplay. By mastering the basics, understanding the rules, and honing your skills, you can enjoy countless hours of fun and camaraderie on the court. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned player, pickleball welcomes all who seek an exciting and engaging recreational activity. So grab your paddle, rally with friends, and experience the thrill of pickleball firsthand!