Pickleball's Summer Origins: From Backyard Game to Global Phenomenon

On September 3, a significant moment in pickleball history is tied to the sport’s growth after its invention in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Though no specific event occurred precisely on this date in the earliest years, September falls within the seasonal period when pickleball’s original founders—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—began developing and refining the game during the summer of 1965, which led to a lasting impact on the sport’s culture and community.

Pickleball started as a casual backyard game created to entertain their families. They used improvised equipment like ping-pong paddles and perforated plastic balls on a badminton court, gradually lowering the net from badminton height to 36 inches to find the best play conditions. By the end of that summer, they had formalized the rules, drawing mainly on badminton but incorporating elements of tennis and table tennis, creating a new family-friendly sport. The name "pickleball" was coined around this time by Joan Pritchard, a key figure in the sport’s early community, referencing the term "pickle boat" from crew rowing, describing the hodgepodge nature of the game’s origins rather than the family dog Pickles, who arrived later in 1968.

The creativity and spirit of those early days in that summer played a crucial role in shaping pickleball’s identity as a sport made from borrowed pieces but evolved into its own unique and exciting competition. The summer of 1965, covering months like June, July, August, and early September, was the time when the founders laid down the meaningful foundation stones of pickleball’s rules, culture, and social heart, creating an enduring legacy that has blossomed worldwide.

Following the summer of invention, in 1967, the first permanent pickleball court was built by Bob O’Brian in his backyard near Joel Pritchard’s home. This gave the game a permanent venue and a community hub, leading to growing interest. The sport then spread steadily, supported by key moments such as the formation of Pickleball Inc. in 1972 to protect the game’s integrity, the first pickleball tournament in 1976, and later the establishment of governing bodies and professional circuits.

Pickleball’s journey from a family pastime in 1965, shaped during warm summer days like early September, to a modern fast-growing sport is fascinating. It grew out of innovation, friendly competition, and social connection, characteristics that hold true today. The legacy started around this time continues to inspire millions who pick up paddles across the globe.

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