• Article Photo. Kelyn Rickels, Max Griffith
    Kelyn Rickels, Max Griffith
  • Article Photo. Logan Williams, Travis Libbert Pickleball Champions
    Logan Williams, Travis Libbert Pickleball Champions
  • Article Photo. Brody Beatty, Brian Fischer
    Brody Beatty, Brian Fischer
  • Article Photo. Josh Ferguson, Drew Pearson
    Josh Ferguson, Drew Pearson

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball, while easy for beginners, can also develop into an intense competition for high-level players. With a low net, a court smaller than a tennis court, and a no-volley zone, the pace of the game can escalate with four experienced players. Many pickleball leagues around the country feature experienced players with high-levels of competitiveness.

Pickleball was created in the Puget Sound area off of Seattle in the state of Washington in the 1960s. It was named for the dog of one of the co-creators, Pickles. Pickles, legend has it, would chase after and retrieve the balls and hide them. The family began to play a game with Pickles’ ball. And so they named the game after the dog. The co-inventor and owner of Pickles, U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard, originally played the game as a family sport for fun. Over 20 years, though, the game developed a set of standard rules and a following around the country.