How Did Pickleball Get It's Name?

‍Pickleball is a sport that has been enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels for many years. Despite its popularity, however, few people are aware of the history behind how this unique sport got its name. No it doesn’t have to do with the pickles you eat…

Yes, there is a little bit of controversy surrounding the unique name.

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How Did Pickleball Get It's Name?

There are a couple of theories about how pickleball got its name, but the most commonly accepted theory is the pickle boat theory.

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The Pickle Boat Theory

One theory is that the name 'pickleball' comes from the term 'pickle boat', which is a term used in rowing to describe a boat made up of leftover oarsmen from other boats. According to the Prichard family, Joel's wife (Joel Richard being one of the co-founders of pickleball) came up with the name as it reminded her of a pickle boat, consider how they were piecing together other gear and elements from various sports, sort of like the leftover oarsmen.

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The Family Dog Theory

Another theory is that the game was named after Pritchard's family dog, whose name was Pickles. According to this theory, the dog would often run off with the ball during games, and the players would jokingly refer to the game as 'pickle's ball'.

Over time, this name became shortened to 'pickleball'. The McCullum family, the family of one of the three co-founders - Barney McCullum, swears that the game was definitely named after the dog. They say they remember the specific night when they named it after "Pickles" while sitting in the living room of the Prichard family cabin.

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The McCullum family is so certain that the game was named after Pickles, as mentioned in this interview with Pickleball 411.

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Debunking Common Misconceptions

Despite these popular theories, some experts argue that the name does not come from either of these origins.

Some researchers suggest that the name may have been inspired by other words with 'pickle' in it, such as 'pickle boat' from rowing or 'pickle relish' from the food industry. Others believe the name may have simply been chosen because it was catchy and memorable.

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The Origins of Pickleball

The game of pickleball was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. The three men were looking for a new game to play with their families, and after experimenting with various equipment and rules, they developed what would later become known as pickleball.

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The Inventors of the Game

Joel Pritchard was a US congressman from Washington state who had previously played badminton and tennis. Bill Bell was a successful businessman who had an interest in sports, and Barney McCallum was a retired engineer who had a passion for solving problems.

Together, they combined their skills and knowledge to create a fun and accessible game that could be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Fun fact, it was Barney who had the idea to use a perforated plastic ball to help slow the game down and make it more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.

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Barney McCallum (co-founder of Pickleball)

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The First Pickleball Game

The first game of pickleball was played on Pritchard's driveway, using handmade equipment including a perforated plastic ball and wooden paddles. The rules were simple and easy to follow, making it an ideal game for families and friends to enjoy together.

The game was an instant hit with Pritchard's family and friends, who quickly spread the word about this new and exciting sport. Before long, other families in the neighborhood were playing pickleball on their own driveways, and the sport began to gain traction in the local community.

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The Initial Response to the Sport

Pickleball quickly gained popularity in the Pacific Northwest, and before long, its popularity spread throughout the country. The game was particularly popular among retirees and people looking for a low-impact form of exercise. As the sport grew in popularity, the question arose - how did it get its unique name?

There are a few different stories about how pickleball got its name. One popular theory is that it was named after Pritchard's dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball during games. Another theory is that the name comes from the term "pickle boat," which refers to a boat that is made up of leftover oarsmen from other boats. Whatever the origin of the name may be, there's no denying that pickleball has become a beloved sport enjoyed by millions of people around the world.

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The Evolution of Pickleball

Since its creation, the game of pickleball has come a long way. What started as a simple backyard game has now become a popular sport played by thousands of people around the world. The evolution of pickleball can be seen in the changes that have been made to its rules, equipment, and overall popularity.

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Changes in Rules and Equipment

One of the most significant changes in pickleball has been the creation of a standardized set of rules. In the early days of the game, rules varied from court to court and from player to player.

However, as the sport became more formalized, a set of rules was established to ensure consistency and fairness in gameplay. Today, players must adhere to these rules in order to compete at a professional level.

In addition to changes in rules, equipment has also been improved over the years. Modern pickleball paddles are made from lightweight materials such as graphite and aluminum, making them easier to handle and more durable.

I can recall using wooden paddles in gym class growing up and couldn’t imagine giving up my Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 now. The balls used in the game have also been improved, with newer models designed to provide better bounce and spin.

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The Growth of Pickleball's Popularity

As the popularity of pickleball has grown, so has its presence in the media. The sport has been featured on television, in magazines, and on websites, helping to spread awareness of the game to a wider audience.

According to USA Pickleball, the first published article about pickleball dates all the way back to 1975.

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First Pickleball Magazine Article - 1975

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In addition, pickleball has become a popular activity for people of all ages and skill levels. Many parks and recreation centers now offer pickleball courts, making it easy for anyone to try the sport.

Plenty of tennis courts now have pickleball lines and full courts are being converted. Speaking on personal experience, it is not uncommon for me in Raleigh to drive by empty tennis courts and packed pickleball courts.

Pickleball is a great social activity, with many players forming clubs and leagues to play with others. These groups provide a sense of community and camaraderie among players, further fueling the growth of the sport.

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Pickleball as a Professional Sport

Today, pickleball is played competitively at a professional level, with tournaments being held around the world. The sport now has a teams-based league called Major League Pickleball (MLP) as well as several tours, the most prominent of which is run by the Pickleball Professional Association. Professional players train rigorously to compete at the highest level, and the sport continues to gain recognition as a legitimate athletic pursuit.

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