Pickleball is Taking Over Courts Near You

Even if you haven't tried pickleball by now, it's likely that you have seen or heard about it. The popular game has the basics of other racquet sports like tennis with equipment and shots similar to table tennis.

The History of Pickleball

According to USA Pickleball, the game was the brainchild of Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell who were looking for entertainment on a summer afternoon in 1965 at Pritchard's home outside Seattle. The duo found an assortment of old equipment – ping pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball and an old badminton net – and set up on the Pritchard's badminton court. They quickly realized how much fun they were having with the new game.

Along with another friend, Barney McCallum, the group eventually developed rules, official equipment and strategies and dubbed their new game "Pickleball."

With social media, new marketing strategies and increasing media coverage, pickleball has exploded in popularity over the last five years. Tennis courts are being transformed into pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor leagues are forming in cities across the nation and membership in the USA Pickleball Association has skyrocketed. Today, more than 70,000 people are USA Pickleball members as compared to just over 17,000 in 2018.

Reasons Pickleball Has Become So Popular

Why are so many people trying – and loving – the game of pickleball?

• Easy to Learn – The rules of pickleball are simple and resemble those of other racquet sports so people have a familiarity before they even pick up a paddle.
• Easy to Play – The game isn't overly challenging at the beginner level which makes it more fun for a variety of people.
• No Age Restrictions – While some other sports and games aren't suitable for young or old participants because of strength and mobility issues, pickleball can be enjoyed by individuals of almost any age. The court isn't overly big, the equipment isn't heavy and the net isn't too high.
• Accessible and Affordable – For a pickup game of pickleball, very little is needed to get started. A pair of paddles and plastic balls can be purchased for under $40 and a court can consist of any flat hard surface. Use chalk or masking tape to mark boundaries and other court features.
• Ability to Grow – While pickleball can be enjoyed at a basic level for beginners, different ball spins, strokes and strategies make it a game a player can develop and grow into expert levels.
• Social Opportunities – Pickleball games can be played as singles or pairs so there is often interaction between teammates and opponents. Pickleball tournaments are a great place to meet new friends.

Equipment

As mentioned, not much pickleball equipment is needed. Paddles come in simple wooden models for beginners and range up to elite fiberglass and graphite models for ultimate power and control. Balls are required to be made of a smooth, molded material and must have between 26 and 40 evenly spaced, circular holes. Often balls with smaller holes are used outdoors because of their wind resistance.

Schools In is happy to offer a wide range of pickleball paddles, balls, nets and court markers for the game's newcomers and pros. Shop online today or call our sales team at (877) 839-3330 for assistance.