Pickleball

BY ADAM BAILEY

Out of nowhere, pickleball is everywhere. This sneaky, fastOut of nowhere, pickleball is everywhere. This sneaky, fastpaced mixture of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong has been embraced by celebrities, athletes, and everyone in between.

First, it’s important to remember that pickleball is just a goofy-sounding game featuring plastic balls (which are usual-goofy-sounding game featuring plastic balls (which are usual ly yellow) and composite paddles (which are usually ugly) on a hard surface roughly a third the size of a tennis court. Three a hard surface roughly a third the size of a tennis court. Three numbers are called before each serve in a doubles match, second shots must bounce, “bangers” are players who drive hard shots, shots must bounce, “bangers” are players who drive hard shots, and the area on either side of the net is known as “the kitchen.” and the area on either side of the net is known as “the kitchen.”

You don’t want to be in the kitchen until the ball has bounced in You don’t want to be in the kitchen until the ball has bounced in it. After that, you dink.

Confused? Don’t be. — Intrigued? Absolutely! Confused? Don’t be. — Intrigued? Absolutely! ally been around for over 50 years. The game was invented in 1965 when Joel Prichard, a US congressman from Washington state, and a friend returned to Prichard’s home on Bainbridge

Island after a golf outing. Dismayed that their families were lounging around, bored, they decided to initiate a game of bad all the necessary equipment, they started playing with pingpong paddles and a Wiffle ball. Once they discovered that the the net. The next weekend, another friend joined the group, and

There is a raging controversy about the origin of the sport’s name. Some contend it was named after the Prichard family dog, Pickles. Others argue that the derivation stems from a pick le boat in crew—which is composed of random rowers picked from the leftovers of other boats. No one knows for sure except, today, 50 years later, it’s a very, very popular sport to play. ation, as of 2020, more than 4 million people play it in the US—an increase of 21 percent from 2019. There are numerous pickleball

YouTube channels, podcasts, and books. There’s even a new maga is said to be the “the Vogue of Pickleball,” printed on heavy stock and appeals to the mostly older and well-off Americans who live for the game. Several cruise lines have added courts to their ships to appeal to devotees. And while the sport is a low-key diversion for many, pickleball is be CBS Sports Network, ESPN3, and the Tennis Channel. reason the intergenerational stuff works—is because pickleball is very easy to learn, very easy to play and it’s super social,” says in drop-in open play promotes ever-changing player combina tions because a new foursome takes the court after each set. A “That’s what makes pickleball so great. I love all the people I get to interact with,” Brightwell says. “It’s an inclusive community

While it’s recently become really popular—pickleball has actually been around for over 50 years. The game was invented in 1965 when Joel Prichard, a US congressman from Washington state, and a friend returned to Prichard’s home on Bainbridge Island after a golf outing. Dismayed that their families were lounging around, bored, they decided to initiate a game of badminton because the home had a court. When they couldn’t find all the necessary equipment, they started playing with pingpong paddles and a Wiffle ball. Once they discovered that the ball bounced well, they moved the game to asphalt and lowered the net. The next weekend, another friend joined the group, and then another. Due to its newfound popularity, they created a set of rules, and the game was born. There is a raging controversy about the origin of the sport’s name. Some contend it was named after the Prichard family dog, Pickles. Others argue that the derivation stems from a pickle boat in crew—which is composed of random rowers picked from the leftovers of other boats. No one knows for sure except, today, 50 years later, it’s a very, very popular sport to play. How popular? According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, as of 2020, more than 4 million people play it in the US—an increase of 21 percent from 2019. There are numerous pickleball YouTube channels, podcasts, and books. There’s even a new magazine, solely dedicated to it. In Pickleball is said to be the “the Vogue of Pickleball,” printed on heavy stock and appeals to the mostly older and well-off Americans who live for the game. Several cruise lines have added courts to their ships to appeal to devotees. And while the sport is a low-key diversion for many, pickleball is becoming increasingly competitive. There are tournaments in almost every major city, and professional tournaments are aired on CBS Sports Network, ESPN3, and the Tennis Channel. What makes pickleball so addictive? “The secret sauce—and the reason the intergenerational stuff works—is because pickleball is very easy to learn, very easy to play and it’s super social,” says local pickleball enthusiast Laurel Brightwell. The social aspects are baked in. The small court size encourages chit-chat between partners and opponents. A single-match rule in drop-in open play promotes ever-changing player combinations because a new foursome takes the court after each set. A paddle queuing system keeps track of who’s up next. If you show up alone, your paddle is randomly paired with another in the queue, sparking new friendships. “That’s what makes pickleball so great. I love all the people I get to interact with,” Brightwell says. “It’s an inclusive community that welcomes anyone who wants to experience the joy of play-

ing. The minute you step onto a court, you can have a good time. It’s something we need in our culture.” But one shouldn’t be fooled by pickleball’s ease of play. As one grows into the sport, strategy and technique become crucial— which is why hard-bitten competitors like Brightwell can never get enough. “For me, if you play it well, you’re moving all the time,” she says. “While it’s exhausting, I still can’t play it enough!”

According to Brightwell, the game of pickleball, is extremely easy to learn. It’s also accessible, affordable, and allows an almost unparalleled competitive balance across generations and genders. While some people consider pickleball similar to tennis, except for a smaller area of play, there are many differences. Singles or doubles pickleball is played on a 20’ x 44’ court with a net. Paddles are made up of a composite of materials, which may include polymers, fiberglass, aluminum and graphite. They are smaller than tennis racquets and larger than ping pong paddles. The game is played with a plastic ball with holes, similar to a Wiffle ball. Games are played to 11 points, and many of the rules are the opposite of those in tennis. These include only getting points when you (or your doubles partner) are serving, no second serve and the service return must bounce before being hit. Today, you can enjoy pickleball in any state in the U.S., as well as in 60 countries around the world. There are currently more than 35,000 courts across the U.S., across 9,000 locations. Still intrigued? Here are a few more interesting aspects of this rising global sport. ing. The minute you step onto a court, you can have a good time. It’s something But one shouldn’t be fooled which is why hard-bitten “For me, if you play it exhausting, I still can’t play it enough!” According to Brightwell, the game of pickleball, is extremely genders. While some people consider pickleball similar to tenSingles or doubles pickleball is played on a 20’ x 44’ court with a net. Paddles are made up of a composite of materials, which may The game is played with a plastic ball with holes, similar to a Games are played to 11 points, and many of the rules are the op posite of those in tennis. These include only getting points when you (or your doubles partner) are serving, no second serve and the service return must bounce before being hit. Today, you can enjoy pickleball in any state in the U.S., as well as in 60 countries around the world. There are currently more than 35,000 courts across the U.S., across 9,000 locations. Still intrigued? Here are a few more interesting aspects of this

1. Pickleball isn’t just for old people. Pickleball isn’t just for old people. While it became popular in senior communities, today the fastest growing pickle lar in senior communities, today the fastest growing pickleball-playing demographic is people ages 18-54. 2. You can get a workout playing pickleball. You can get a workout playing pickleball. While there is definitely less running in pickleball (especially if you play doubles), it’s pretty easy to work up a sweat while playing. doubles), it’s pretty easy to work up a sweat while playing. 3. Naples, Florida, is The Pickleball Capital of the World. The Naples, Florida, is The Pickleball Capital of the World. term is actually trademarked by the Naples Pickleball Center, located at East Naples Community Park, with good rea ter, located at East Naples Community Park, with good reason. It’s home to the largest dedicated pickleball facility in son. It’s home to the largest dedicated pickleball facility in the world, with an amazing 64 pickleball courts, and is also the world, with an amazing 64 pickleball courts, and is also where the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships tourna where the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships tournament is held. The largest spectator and participation pickle ment is held. The largest spectator and participation pickleball tournament in the world, the tournament attracts over 25,000 visitors over a seven-day period. 25,000 visitors over a seven-day period. 4. Gold Medal, anyone? According to the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), the world governing body of eration of Pickleball (IFP), the world governing body of pickleball, officials are working to get more countries inter pickleball, officials are working to get more countries interested in pickleball, and ultimately seeks official recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in order to by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in order to establish pickleball as an Olympic sport and, hopefully, be introduced at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. introduced at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 5. Need a court? While many new pickleball courts are being built, due to pickleball’s popularity, some tennis courts have built, due to pickleball’s popularity, some tennis courts have been repurposed as pickleball courts. In fact, you can fit four pickleball courts in the same area as one tennis court. pickleball courts in the same area as one tennis court. 6. Tennis anyone? Tennis pros of all ages and abilities are moving to pickleball—as pros and players. Pam Wilkinson was a teaching tennis professional in New Jersey and Flor was a teaching tennis professional in New Jersey and Florida for over 20 years when she signed up to learn pickleball at a local tennis center. “I was hooked,” she says. Soon she at a local tennis center. “I was hooked,” she says. Soon she started playing pickleball and became certified as an instructor. Today, three years later, she is the pickleball pro structor. Today, three years later, she is the pickleball pro at Patch Reef Tennis Center, in Boca Raton, Florida. Tyson at Patch Reef Tennis Center, in Boca Raton, Florida. Tyson

McGuffin was a tennis pro-teacher and is now one of the top-ranked tournament pickleball players in the world. 7. Celebrities love pickleball. Larry David, Melinda Gates, JaCelebrities love pickleball. Larry David, Melinda Gates, Jamie Foxx, the Kardashians, Owen Wilson, Jillian Michaels,

Zach Braff, Giuliana Rancic, George Clooney, and Leonardo

DiCaprio. Even pro athletes from Russell Wilson to Annika DiCaprio. Even pro athletes from Russell Wilson to Annika

Sörenstam have mastered the dink and drive. Sörenstam have mastered the dink and drive. 8. Where to play locally? According to USA Pickleball, there are more than 34,000 pickleball courts in America. Here are more than 34,000 pickleball courts in America. Here are some options in the Shreveport-Bossier area: are some options in the Shreveport-Bossier area: �������� BHP Billiton YMCA of NWLA BHP Billiton YMCA of NWLA �������� East Ridge Country Club East Ridge Country Club �������� Querbes Tennis Center Querbes Tennis Center �������� Pierremont Oaks Country Club Pierremont Oaks Country Club �������� Southern Hills Tennis Center �������� Southern Trace Country Club �������� The Training Ground of NWLA