On August 28 in pickleball history, a significant and exciting event took place in 2025 when Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts hosted a celebrity pickleball event known as "Mookie's Smash for Good Celebrity Pickleball Challenge" in Los Angeles. This event gathered top athletes and celebrities to compete in pickleball matches, with proceeds going to charity. It highlighted not only Betts' enthusiasm for the sport but also the continued rise of pickleball as a cultural and social phenomenon across the United States. Betts, well known for his passion for the game, has been an enthusiastic pickleball player who enjoys the sport's community spirit and competitive edge[8].
Pickleball originated in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum improvised a new game to entertain their children on a summer afternoon. They created the first course on a badminton court with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The invention of the sport was humble and spontaneous but quickly took shape, evolving from informal backyard play to official competition. The name “pickleball” is surrounded by two competing stories. Most credible accounts credit Joan Pritchard, Joel’s wife, with coining the name after the term "pickle boat," used for a rowing crew made up of leftover rowers from other teams. The charming but incorrect narrative says the game was named after the family dog named Pickles, who did not join the family until three years later in 1968[1][2][3].
The formalization of pickleball happened gradually. By 1972, Pritchard, Bell, and McCallum had incorporated to protect their creation, and in 1976 the first official rulebook was written. This established a consistent framework for playing and judging the game anywhere, enabling the sport to grow from the Pacific Northwest to warmer regions such as Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Florida. Pickleball steadily expanded, gaining momentum into the 21st century as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States with a dedicated fan base, competitive tournaments, and celebrity enthusiasts[1][6].
Mookie Betts’ celebrity pickleball event on August 28, 2025, represents a modern milestone for the sport. Betts has been vocal about how much he loves pickleball, emphasizing its social aspects and intense competitive spirit. His event helped showcase pickleball to a broader audience and cemented its reputation as a serious sport with a fun community element[8].
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