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Continue Shopping10 LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT PICKLEBALL
With its recent rise in popularity, pickleball has quickly become one of the country’s most popular sports!
The Basics
- A fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.
- Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net.
- Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
- Played as doubles or singles.
- Can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.
Brief History
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.
Equipment
A couple of paddles, a ball and a net, and you’re ready to get started.
What to wear when playing
Players wear just about anything comfortable and appropriate for the climate: athletic shorts, sweatpants, wicking apparel, t-shirts, etc. Tennis-style dresses and skirts for females are common. Comfortable court shoes are a must; sneakers or running shoes do not supply the right kind of support for the side-to-side action inherent in pickleball. Eye protection is highly recommended. As for accessories, players may wear hats, visors, sweatbands and light jackets or sweatshirts for cold outdoor play. We are offering a new line of Pickleball Bolder skirts, shorts and shirts. Check here.
Whether you’re familiar with the sport or not, pickleball has an interesting history and an even more interesting rise to popularity. Prepare your paddles and widen your knowledge of this new sports craze with these interesting facts about America’s new favorite paddle sport.
1. Pickleball is One of the Most Popular Sports in the Country:
Today, pickleball is played all over the world—in fact, the USAPA recently estimated that over 400,000 people actively play this addictive game on a regular basis.
2. It’s Been Around for 50 Years:
Pickleball is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, as it was invented in 1965.
3. It All Started With Three Men, a Few Bored Kids and a Dream:
Pickleball was first invented by three dads up in Washington state. They created the game as a solution to their children’s boredom during the summertime.
4. The Evolution of the Pickleball Paddle:
Initially, pickleball paddles were made entirely of wood, however in recent years, lightweight materials like graphite and aluminum have been incorporated to lessen the weight of the paddle. The typical pickleball paddle is larger than a ping-pong paddle, but smaller than a tennis racket.
5. Not Your Average Ball:
Unlike tennis or pingpongping-pong balls, pickleball balls have holes (similar to the holes found in Wwiffle balls).
6. Slower Than a Speeding Bullet:
Due to the inferior aerodynamics of the pickleball ball, (thanks to its large holes), pickleball balls travel approximately 1/3 the speed of a tennis ball.
7. The Best Picklers Are Never “Pickled”:
In pickleball, players are referred to as “Picklers”, and those who have lost did not “lose”, they have “Pickled”.
8. When in Doubt, Stay Out of The Kitchen:
The 7-foot non-volley zone directly in front of the pickleball court’s net is called “The Kitchen”.
9. That’s a “Dink” Shot:
The term “dink shot” is used when a soft shot narrowly arcs over the pickleball net and lands in the Kitchen (also known as the non-volley zone).
10. The True “Pickle” Behind Pickleball:
Pickleball was named after one of the inventors, Congressman Joel Pritchard’s dog, whose name was Pickles.
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Betting Exchange
Dec 08, 2022
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The Pickleball
Dec 08, 2021
I found this article very informative about “10 LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT PICKLEBALL”. Looking forward for more informative articles like this related to The Pickleball Paddles
Jeff Carbine
Oct 26, 2021
I appreciate that you mentioned that with its recent rise in popularity, pickleball has quickly become one of the country’s most popular sports! My kid said that he loves playing pickleball with his friends. I will surprise him with a custom-made pickleball paddle in support of him with his chosen sports. https://www.saltedcitysports.com/collections/custom-pickleball-paddles