A pickleball paddle with pickleballs.

Pickleball History: What is it and Why is it Called Pickleball

Have you been hearing about the latest trend? It’s called pickleball. This engaging and addictive sport has got everybody buzzing, and now, it has got your attention too.

So, what exactly is pickleball?  And why is it called pickleball, of all names, right?

Stick around and we’ll discuss this further.

First off, let's start with the basics. 

What is Pickleball?

Imagine if tennis, badminton, and ping-pong had a child together, that would be pickleball. Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court using solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. It usually involves two (singles) or four (doubles) players. However, three people can also play at the same time (King of the Hill Pickleball).

Pickleball: The Basics

Pickleball is a very simple game, actually. Here are the basic things you need to know to play the game.

  • Pickleball Court: The court is 44 feet x 20 feet in size.

    • Pickleball Kitchen: The 7-foot area on each side of the net and is also called the “ Non-Volley Zone” or NVZ oftentimes.

A pickleball court with labels and dimensions.

  • Pickleball Equipment

Phantom pickleball paddle and pro control ball by 101 Pickleball

    • Pickleball Paddles: Made of solid (and usually synthetic) materials.
    • Pickleball Balls: Made of plastic and have perforations. Indoor pickleballs have fewer and bigger holes (26), while outdoor pickleballs have more, smaller holes (40).
  • Pickleball Rules
    • Pickleball Serve: The server must stay behind the baseline and hit the ball below the waist.
    • Pickleball Scoring: This rule is unique to pickleball. Only the serving team can earn scores. If the serving team commits a fault, the serve will go to the opponent. Rally Scoring was made official in 2024 for singles. In the 2025 pickleball rules update, rally scoring was approved for doubles (except in doubles double-elimination); however, it is still in a provisional period.
    • Double Bounce-Rule: The ball must bounce on the first two shots before a volley is allowed. 1. After the serve and before the return of serve. 2. After the return of serve and before the third shot drops.
    • Non-Volley Zone: Volleys are allowed from anywhere in the court, except in the non-volley zone or kitchen. 

These are the basics you need to remember when playing pickleball. Stick to these and you'll be fine. Don't worry, you'll learn more as you play. 

Now, let's learn a little bit about the history of pickleball. 

History of Pickleball

The history of pickleball is very interesting to learn about. It was one summer afternoon that pickleball was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. What started as a remedy for boredom will soon turn into one of the fastest-growing sports in the USA. Using an old badminton court, ping-pong paddles, and a perforated plastic ball, pickleball was born.

Black and white photo of kids playing the first pickleball game using a badminton court.

Why is it Called Pickleball? 

Now comes the question that is probably burning in your mind. Why is it called pickleball? 

Are there pickles involved?? Lol, no. 

The name actually has a very interesting history. There are two theories as to why it is called pickleball. 

  • Pickles, the dog: There were also rumors before that pickleball was named after the Pritchards’ dog, Pickles. However, USA Pickleball (USAP) debunked the idea that pickleball came from the dog theory. They found out that Pickles was actually born three years AFTER pickleball was invented.

  • Pickle boat: There's a theory that the name for pickleball came from pickle boat. A pickle boat is the last boat to finish the race and usually has “leftover” crews. This means that the crew is just thrown together at random from whoever is available. The first pickleball equipment was random sport equipment thrown together (as mentioned above). This is the reason why it is called pickleball.

Cool, right? It's interesting to know the history of pickleball and learn how it came to be. But, when exactly did pickleball become popular?

When Did Pickleball Become Popular?

Pickleball didn’t become very popular overnight; it happened over time. The first-ever pickleball tournament was held in 1976, so that means that pickleball has reached enough number of people to be able to host this kind of event. In 2005, pickleball gained more attention, and a new corporation called the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) was formed to govern the sport. USAPA rebranded to USA Pickleball in 2020, probably the time when pickleball really boomed in popularity since people looked for social interactions during the pandemic, but there are still social restrictions.

But then, why is pickleball so popular? 

Why is Pickleball Popular?

Why pickleball is popular is an interesting question. I mean, if you look at it, it's just another racket sport. What makes it so different (and better?) than tennis, badminton, or any other racket sports?

Let's break it down. 

Pickleball Has Many Health Benefits and is Low-Impact

One of the reasons why pickleball is so popular is that it's a low-impact sport, meaning you don't have to exert that much force and energy to play. Pickleball is ideal if you're looking for an active lifestyle without straining your body. It's easy on the joints, so even older people can enjoy it. 

Pickleball has many health benefits. It's a good workout for all ages and can improve your hand-eye coordination, agility, and cardiovascular health. 

Pickleball is a Social Game

Pickleball, as we all know, is a competitive game. Many players train to be an expert and get a higher pickleball score. However, pickleball is a social game too. 

You can play pickleball as a casual game, whether with your friends, family, or even as a team-building activity. It can be just a friendly competition. Pickleball is also a great way to meet new people and make connections by joining pickleball clubs or tournaments. 

Pickleball is Very Inclusive

Another reason why pickleball is so popular is that it's a game for all. EVERYONE can play pickleball at all ages and genders. There's pickleball for seniors, so older people can play with their age group. There's also junior pickleball for kids as young as six to eight years old. 

There's also adaptive pickleball or para pickleball. This is for players who are in a wheelchair. Pickleball accepts all kinds of players, and there are even pickleball tournament brackets now that are either exclusive to para pickleball players or hybrid. 

*Hybrid is for doubles where one player on the team is in a wheelchair and the other isn't.

Of course, other people with different disabilities can still play pickleball. Even if you have vision, hearing, or mental impairment, you're welcome to play pickleball. Adjustments can be made to accommodate the impairment of the players. 

Pickleball is Convenient 

Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors. Its convenience is also why it's so popular among players. If you want to be outside, there are courts dedicated to that. If you want to be inside where the environment is more controlled, then indoor pickleball is for you. Indoor pickleball is even more suitable for those in wheelchairs since indoor courts usually have ramps, wider entrance/exit, and handicap bathrooms. 

There are also portable pickleball courts that you can set up anywhere for when you have a sudden urge to play and there's no court around (of course, make sure to play in a safe and appropriate space). 

Pickleball is Easy to Learn, but Hard to Master

Now, you might think, “How is it a good thing if it's hard to master?”. Let's look at it this way. Pickleball is easy to learn, which means you will be able to play the sport right even as a beginner. If you want to level up your game, of course, it's not going to be easy (as with any sport), but you'd already have a solid foundation. You just need to improve. 

Playing pickleball can improve your strategy and skills. You'll just learn how to be better at the shots and use them to your advantage. You'll even learn how to read your opponents so you can use their strategies against them (just remember that they can also do this to you).

These are the reasons why pickleball is so popular and is still gaining more attention. 

In a Nutshell

So, there you have it. Pickleball is a fun and active sport that doesn’t really require a lot of straining, making it perfect for everyone. Pickleball was invented in 1965 and has since gained so much popularity. Its unique name came from “pickle boat”, the last boat to finish a race, where the crew is thrown together from whoever is available. The first-ever pickleball equipment used was random sports equipment that was thrown together. 

What are you waiting for? If you’re looking for a sign to play pickleball, this is it. Grab your pickleball paddles and take your shot now!

Frequently Asked Questions about Pickleball and Its History

What exactly is pickleball?

  • Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

  • It's played on a badminton-sized court with solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball.

  • It can be played in singles (two players) or doubles (four players), and even with three players in "King of the Hill" format.

What basic equipment is needed to play pickleball?

  • Pickleball Paddles: Solid, usually synthetic material.

  • Pickleball Balls: Plastic with perforations. Indoor balls have fewer and larger holes (26), while outdoor balls have more, smaller holes (40).

  • Net: The court is divided by a net.

What are the key dimensions of a pickleball court?

  • The court is 44 feet long by 20 feet wide.

  • The "pickleball kitchen" or "Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)" is a 7-foot area on each side of the net where volleying is prohibited.

What are some fundamental pickleball rules?

  • Pickleball Serve: The server must stay behind the baseline and hit the ball below the waist.

  • Pickleball Scoring: Only the serving team can score points. If the serving team commits a fault, the serve goes to the opponent. Rally scoring was made official for singles in 2024 and was provisionally approved for doubles in 2025 (except in doubles double-elimination).

  • Double Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on the receiving side after the serve, and once on the serving side after the return, before players can volley.

  • Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) / "Kitchen": Players cannot volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) while standing in or on the lines of this 7-foot zone near the net.

When and how was pickleball invented?

  • Pickleball was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum to cure boredom on a summer afternoon.

  • They improvised using an old badminton court, ping-pong paddles, and a perforated plastic ball.

Why is it called "pickleball"?

  • There are two main theories:

    • Pickle Boat Theory: The most accepted theory is that the name comes from "pickle boat" in crew racing, which refers to the last boat to finish, often made up of a random assortment of "leftover" rowers. This mirrored how pickleball equipment was initially a random collection of items.

    • "Pickles" the Dog Theory: An older rumor suggested it was named after the Pritchards' dog, Pickles. However, USA Pickleball has debunked this, stating Pickles was born after the game was invented.

When did pickleball become popular?

  • The first tournament was held in 1976.

  • The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) was formed in 2005 to govern the sport (rebranded to USA Pickleball in 2020).

  • Its popularity significantly boomed around 2020, partly due to people seeking social and active outlets during the pandemic.

Why is pickleball so popular?

  • Health Benefits & Low-Impact: It's a low-impact sport, easy on joints, suitable for all ages, and provides good cardio, improved hand-eye coordination, and agility.

  • Social Game: It's great for friendly competition, meeting new people, and building connections.

  • Highly Inclusive: It's for all ages and genders, with specific options for seniors and juniors, and adaptive/para-pickleball for players with disabilities.

  • Convenience: It can be played indoors or outdoors, and portable courts allow for play almost anywhere.

  • Easy to Learn, Hard to Master: Beginners can quickly pick up the basics, while experienced players can continuously improve their strategy and skills, keeping the game engaging.

Key Takeaways

 

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