Ever catch yourself in the middle of a game, paddle in hand, and think “Wait a minute… how did pickleball get its name?”
Trust me, you’re not alone! I’ve wondered about this too…hence, this blog post.
Here’s the thing about pickleball’s name – it’s got quite the story behind it. Actually, make that two stories! And they couldn’t be more different from each other.
Story #1: It’s all about a dog named Pickles. S
tory #2: It has something to do with boat racing and something called a “pickle boat.”
Pretty random, right?
When I first heard these two completely different explanations, I knew I had to dig deeper. And boy, did I find some interesting stuff!
So grab your paddle (metaphorically, of course), and let’s solve this mystery together. Let’s find out once and for all – how did pickleball get its name?
How Did Pickleball Get Its Name?
It all started back in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. And not just anywhere on the island – this all went down at Joel Pritchard’s summer home on Wheeler Road. (Fun fact: That home is now considered the birthplace of pickleball!)
Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum – were dealing with a classic summer problem. Their families had just returned from a round of golf, the kids were getting antsy, and everyone wanted to play badminton. Just one tiny problem… they couldn’t find a complete set of badminton equipment!
So what did these creative dads do? They raided their garage and found:
- An old wiffle ball (which turned out to be perfect for the windy island conditions)
- Some ping pong paddles
- A badminton net (which they later lowered to 36 inches at the sides – a height we still use today!)
They set everything up on their old badminton court, which measured 20′ x 44′ (yep, the exact dimensions we still use!). Then they started experimenting with rules, like keeping the ball low and adding the no-volley zone. Pretty smart thinking, right?
Without even realizing it, they had just created something special – a perfect mix of badminton, tennis, and ping pong all rolled into one awesome game. A game that literally anyone could pick up and play, regardless of their age or athletic ability.
Now, here’s the mind-blowing part: This totally random game they invented to cure some summer boredom would eventually become one of the fastest-growing sports in America! We’re talking millions of players today – all because three dads got creative one Saturday afternoon.
While everyone pretty much agrees on this origin story (and the families have photos to prove it!), there’s one detail that still gets people talking at every tournament and pickup game…
Just how exactly did pickleball get its name?
That’s where things get really interesting…
The Two Stories on How Pickleball Got It’s Name
The Great Pickleball Name Debate: Tale #1 – The Dog Named Pickles
Let’s start with probably the most famous story – and honestly, it’s the one that most people love to tell at their local courts.
Picture this: The Pritchard family is playing this new game they’ve created, and their family dog, Pickles, is running around the court having the time of his life. Every time the ball would bounce away, Pickles would chase after it, snatch it up, and dash off with his prize!
“Pickles! Drop the ball!”
“Has anyone seen where Pickles took our last ball?”
“Looks like it’s Pickles’ ball now!”
According to this version, the game naturally became known as “pickleball” because, well, it was literally Pickles’ ball! It’s such a charming story that it’s easy to see why it became so popular. I mean, who wouldn’t love the idea of this playful pup accidentally naming one of America’s fastest-growing sports?
But here’s where things get interesting…
Is this adorable dog tale actually true? Or is it just one of those feel-good stories that’s too good to fact-check?
Hold onto your paddles, because the answer might surprise you…
The Pickle Boat Story
Speaking of pickle boats… let’s dive deeper into Joan Pritchard’s version of how pickleball really got its name. And trust me, this is where things get really interesting!
You see, Joan wasn’t just any casual observer of the game’s creation – she was a serious crew enthusiast. Like, REALLY into crew racing. And when she saw this mishmash of a game her husband and his friends had created, something clicked in her mind.
“Hey, this reminds me of the pickle boats!” she said.
Now, if you’re scratching your head wondering what a pickle boat has to do with anything, here’s the scoop:
In crew racing, you had your star boats with all the top rowers. But then… you had the pickle boat. Think of it as the “everything but the kitchen sink” boat. It was crewed by:
- The backup rowers
- The alternates
- Basically, anyone who didn’t make the main boats
Just like their new game was pieced together with:
- A badminton court
- Some ping pong paddles
- A random wiffle ball
- Made-up rules from different sports
Get where this is going? Their new game was literally the “pickle boat” of sports – a beautiful mixture of leftover pieces that somehow worked perfectly together!
But here’s the million-dollar question…
Is this REALLY how pickleball got its name? Or is this just another great story that makes for good conversation between games?
Well, hold onto your paddles, because the truth might just surprise you…
So Which Version Is True?
After years of debate and plenty of back-and-forth, we finally have an official answer. And it comes straight from the most reliable source possible – the Pritchard family themselves.
The pickle boat story is the winner! š
I know, I know – if you’ve been telling everyone about Pickles the dog at your local courts, this might come as a bit of a shock. But here’s the timeline that proves it:
The game was invented in 1965. Pickles the dog didn’t join the Pritchard family until around 1967. The family actually named their dog AFTER the game, not the other way around!
Joan Pritchard (who was there from day one) set the record straight in multiple interviews. She confirmed that the name came from her connection to crew racing and those scrappy pickle boats with their mixed-up crews.
But here’s a fun twist – the Pickles the dog story became so popular that even some of the original players started believing it! It just goes to show how a good story can sometimes become part of a sport’s folklore.
And honestly? Both stories tell us something pretty special about pickleball:
- Like a pickle boat crew, it was pieced together from different sports
- And like that playful dog Pickles, it’s all about having fun and not taking things too seriously
From Backyard Game to National Phenomenon
Who would’ve thought that a game pieced together by three dads would become America’s fastest-growing sport? But here we are – and pickleball is absolutely exploding!
Let’s talk numbers for a second, because they’re mind-blowing:
In 2024, we’ve got over 48 million players hitting the courts! That’s not a typo – this backyard game has gone seriously mainstream. And get this: the sport grew by nearly 160% between 2020 and 2023 alone.
Even celebrities can’t resist the pickleball fever:
- Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted on the courts
- Larry David is a regular player
- George Clooney and Tom Brady have joined the fun
- Ellen DeGeneres loves the game so much she built her own courts!
But it’s not just about the famous faces. Communities everywhere are catching pickleball fever:
- Parks are converting tennis courts to pickleball courts
- Dedicated indoor facilities are popping up everywhere
- Private clubs are adding pickleball to their offerings
- Even breweries and restaurants are getting in on the action with “pickle and play” venues!
The professional side of the sport is booming too. We’ve got Major League Pickleball, the Professional Pickleball Association, and tournaments offering serious prize money. ESPN is even broadcasting major tournaments!
Not bad for a game that started with a wiffle ball and some ping pong paddles, right?
So what makes pickleball so addictive? Maybe it’s because anyone can play it – whether you’re 8 or 80, a former athlete or a complete beginner. Or maybe it’s just because it’s the most fun you can have while getting some exercise!
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks – the full scoop on how pickleball got its quirky name! From pickle boats to a beloved family dog, this sport’s origin story is just as unique as the game itself.
While we now know the pickle boat story is the real deal, both tales capture something special about this amazing sport. It’s a game pieced together with creativity and fun, just like those pickle boat crews. And like Pickles the dog, it brings out the playful side in all of us!
But maybe the best part of pickleball’s story is that it’s still being written – by all of us. Every time we step onto the court, we’re part of this incredible journey that started with three creative dads on Bainbridge Island.
From a makeshift family game to America’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball has come a long way since 1965. And whether you’re a longtime player or just getting started, you’re now in on the secret of how this awesome sport got its name.
Next time someone asks you, “Why is it called pickleball?” you can tell them both stories. Just remember to mention which one is really true! š
So what are you waiting for? Grab your bag and get ready to play one of America’s favorite sports – Pickleball!
See you on the courts!
