IN GOOD FORM AT THE BAPA COMPLEX

Pickleball was invented in 1965 by two dads looking to give their bored kids something fun to do Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington State and Bill Bell, a successful businessman, designed the game so different ages could play together Like ping pong, kids can even play with grandparents The name of the game has been the subject of much "controversy," but we're sticking with the story that the name is a reference to the throwntogether leftover non-starters in the “pickle boat” of crew racing Pritchard and Bell made the game up over one weekend using an asphalt badminton court, some ping-pong paddles and a perforated ball they had on hand The name had nothing to do with the family dog Pickles which may or may not have been named for the game years later.

The Bastrop Area Pickleball Association (BAPA) currently has six lighted courts and they are currently working on six more at the previous Tahitian Village tennis courts There is a pro shop called the Pickle Jar where BAPA swag and of course, paddles and balls are available for purchase A practice board is also in the works

With 35 million Americans playing the sport on some level in 2022, it's no wonder BAPA has grown to 270 paying members in just a year Home courts are also becoming more and more popular because the net is lightweight and removable and the smaller size court can fit more easily on residential lots

BAPA offers beginners' clinics regularly at no charge Catch one by following them on Facebook. For more go to USpickleball.org or Bastroppickleball.org.