On September 24 in pickleball history, one interesting highlight is the enduring story and debate about how pickleball got its unique name, which ties back to its origins in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. While the exact date the name was first used is not precisely documented, September 24 invites us to remember the colorful tales surrounding the naming of this now wildly popular sport.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, a Washington congressman, Bill Bell, a businessman, and their friend Barney McCallum. The three were looking for a fun activity that their families could enjoy together, blending elements from badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It started with makeshift equipment—a badminton court, a lowered net, wooden paddles, and a perforated plastic ball known today as a pickleball.
The naming of the sport, which often sparks lively discussion among enthusiasts, has two main stories. According to Joan Pritchard, Joel's wife, she coined the name “pickleball” because the game reminded her of the "pickle boat" in crew races where leftover team members—called "pickles"—from other boats were gathered to form a team. This explanation connects directly to the sport’s origin as a mixed, improvised game created from leftover equipment and players from different sports.
However, another popular and endearing story credits the Pritchard family's dog, Pickles, for the name. This mischievous dog reportedly liked chasing the ball during play, inspiring the idea to name the sport after him. The twist is that this dog, Pickles, was actually born three years after the game's invention and naming, indicating that the dog was likely named after the sport and not the other way around. Despite this, the dog story has persisted in popular culture and adds charm and personality to the sport’s legacy.
The decision to give credit to Joan Pritchard for naming the game highlights an important piece of pickleball’s heritage, recognizing the family and community spirit that helped develop and spread the game. The rivalry between the two naming stories is well documented, with the official USA Pickleball organization supporting the “pickle boat” origin based on historical evidence. Meanwhile, many players today delight in the playful idea that a dog helped inspire the name of one of America’s fastest growing sports.
This naming story continues to resonate every year on this date as pickleball players worldwide enjoy the game created from simple beginnings, now played by millions. September 24 is a reminder of pickleball's grassroots birth and the personal stories behind its unique name, enriching the sport’s sense of fun and history.
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