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Summer of '65: How Pickleball Began on Bainbridge Island

Summer of '65: How Pickleball Began on Bainbridge Island

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 On July 6th in pickleball history, one interesting highlight is connected to the origins and early development of the sport, which began in the mid-1960s. While there might not be a famous specific event exactly on July 6th itself, this date sits in the heart of summer—the season when pickleball was invented and quickly gained momentum.

Pickleball officially began in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Joel Pritchard, a congressman, along with his friend Bill Bell, returned from a golf outing and found their families bored without an engaging activity. They improvised a game using ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a badminton court, giving life to a new sport that creatively combined elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. This game was designed to be accessible for all ages and skill levels, a key factor that fueled its growing popularity. The name “pickleball” was coined shortly after by Joan Pritchard, referencing the “pickle boat” leftover crew team term, not the family dog as some amusing legends suggest. This invention was the start of what would become a worldwide phenomenon.

By the summer months following 1965, pickleball was already building momentum with early adopters and the first courts being constructed. In 1967, the first known permanent court specifically designed for pickleball was built by Bob O’Brian. Only a couple of years after the game’s initial creation, those early summers saw the sport transform from a casual backyard pastime to a more formalized game with growing interest.

The summers since 1965 have continued to mark important milestones in pickleball’s history. For example, the first pickleball tournament in the world was held in 1976 at the South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington, introducing competitive play that year-round beginners could aspire to. Moving forward, USA Pickleball Association was later founded, official rulebooks published, and the sport grew to be the fastest-growing activity in America across all age groups.

So, while July 6th itself may not be the anniversary of a single famous pickleball game or tournament, it sits symbolically during the peak summer months when pickleball was first created and enjoyed outside on those early courts. Those summer days in the mid-1960s marked the birth of a sport that would go on to captivate millions worldwide, becoming synonymous with fun, community, and active living.

Thank you for tuning in and exploring this slice of pickleball history. Make sure to subscribe for more fascinating stories and insights about the sports and activities you love. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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