The Curious Story of Who Invented Pickleball & How it Got its Name
Who Invented Pickleball and Why is it Called Pickleball?
Pickleball is an increasingly popular sport played by millions of people in the United States and beyond. But many don’t know who invented Pickleball or why it was called Pickleball. Learn more about the game's origins and its bizarre name, as well as tips for playing better and having more fun!
How Pickleball was Invented by a Group of Friends.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum near Seattle, Washington on Bainbridge Island. The group realized that the badminton court in their backyard was too small for four people to play doubles badminton and the light plastic ball used for paddle tennis lacked bounce and intensity. So they improvised with a wooden platform and constructed a net over it to create the game of Pickleball!
How the Name "Pickleball" Was Decided on?
As to how the game got its name, it was Joel Pritchard's wife who, according to legend, joked that the sport should be named after their dog Pickles because he liked to chase the ball all over the yard. She suggested "Pritch-ball" as a name for the game but it was quickly changed to Pickleball instead.
The name stuck and remains with us today! Pickleball has since become extremely popular around world due to its versatility and rules that can accommodate all skill levels. Today, pickleball is played on both indoor and outdoor surfaces, making it an ideal sport year-round!
The Role of Joanna Conti in the Early Days of Pickleball.
In the early days of the sport, Joanna Conti was an integral part of Pickleball’s development. She coined the game’s name and even helped to spread the word about Pickleball through her frequent travels around the country, inspiring others to take up the sport. America. She was even appointed as a National Spokesperson for Pickleball by The USA Pickleball Association and frequently speaks at pickleball events to spread awareness of the sport.
Joanna Conti will forever be remembered as one of the founding members that led to our current love affair with pickleball today! Joanna's involvement in promoting and supporting Pickleball can still be seen today as she is affiliated with The USA Pickleball Association and works on behalf of her beloved sport!
