If you’ve ever played pickleball, you’ve probably wondered:

Why is it called pickleball?

I mean, does it have anything to do with actual pickles?

Spoiler alert: Nope!

But the real story is even crazier.

Back in 1965, three dads—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—were hanging out on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Their kids were bored (no smartphones back then, obviously), so they got creative.

Using a wiffle ball, some paddles, and an old badminton court, they made up a game.

It was fast, fun, and surprisingly competitive.

And just like that, pickleball was born.

There are two main theories about how pickleball got its name…

The “Pickle Boat” Theory:

Joel Pritchard’s wife, Joan, was a rowing fan.

In rowing, the “pickle boat” is made up of leftover rowers who don’t have a set team.

Since pickleball was a mix of different sports (tennis, ping-pong, and badminton),

Joan thought the name pickleball was a perfect fit.

The Dog Story: Some say the Pritchards had a dog named Pickles, who loved chasing the ball around.

People claim the game was named after him.

But here’s the twist—Pickles the dog didn’t actually exist when the game was invented!

The Pritchards got him later, and he was named after the game, not the other way around.

Why Pickleball Is More Than Just a Fun Name

Today, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., especially among people who want a fun, social way to stay active.

It’s easy to learn, great for all ages, and—unlike tennis—you don’t need to be a pro athlete to have fun.

Whether you’re playing with friends or competing in tournaments.

The name might be weird, but the game is seriously awesome.

Why Pickleball Is More Than Just a Fun Name

Are you already a passionate Pickleballer and Dinker? Or maybe your new to this amazing game.

Whether you know your kitchen from your third shot drop or not…

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