PICKLEBAL Racquet Sport Report: An Introduction to Pickleball
We have written much in this magazine about not only the growth of tennis, but also the increased participation in other racquet and paddle sports over the last couple of 8
years. There is perhaps no better example of this expansion than Pickleball, the fun, easy-to-learn sport that has become the go-to sport of choice for many. Pickleball was invented in 1965 near Seattle, Washington, the brainchild of thee dads, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, who were looking for a new activity for their bored sons during the summer. More than five decades later, the game has grown to feature 4.8 million players in the United States alone. Played on the same size court as doubles badminton, the playing surface measures 20x44 feet, with a net 36 inches high and 34 inches in the middle, and you can create your own pickleball court, or convert a tennis or badminton court into a pickleball court. The ball used is similar to a wiffle ball with about 26-40 round holes. “Because pickleball rules are so similar to ping-pong, it can be easy for practically anyone to learn how to play the game,” says USAPickleball.Org, the governing body for pickleball here in the States. “Whether you're a beginner who just wants to learn a new sport for fun, or you're a seasoned player who craves the thrill of more competitive play, pickleball offers something for everyone.” The game is simple enough for anybody to begin playing and participate in recreationally, but at its highest levels is an extremely fast-paced and competitive sport. That dynamic has made it an overwhelmingly popular activity for people of all ages, and is at the heart of why
Long Island Tennis Magazine • May/June 2022 • LITennisMag.com
