When Was Pickleball Invented? The 1965 Origin Story

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, near Seattle, according to The Washington Post. The sport was created by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum as a family game that could keep their children entertained during the summer. What started on a backyard badminton court soon developed its own equipment, rules, and identity.

When was pickleball invented?

Pickleball was invented during the summer of 1965. Historical accounts generally place its creation in July or August 1965, although the exact day is unknown.

HistoryLink notes that the founders gave different dates in later recollections, but July-August 1965 became the accepted period used by USA Pickleball and other organizations connected with the sport.

The location is much clearer. Pickleball began at the Pritchard family’s property on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, across Puget Sound from Seattle. USA Pickleball also identifies 1965 and Bainbridge Island as the sport’s official origin.

Who invented pickleball?

Three men are credited as the founders of pickleball:

• Joel Pritchard, a Washington state legislator who later served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Washington’s lieutenant governor
• Bill Bell, a businessman and friend of Pritchard
• Barney McCallum, who joined them as they developed the game and its early rules

Pritchard and Bell started experimenting with the game after returning from golf and finding their families looking for something to do. McCallum became involved soon afterward and helped turn the improvised activity into a consistent game.

How was pickleball invented?

The first version of pickleball used equipment the founders already had available.

Pritchard’s property had an old badminton court. Unable to find a complete set of badminton rackets, Pritchard and Bell experimented with ping-pong-style paddles and a perforated plastic ball. They initially kept the badminton net at its normal height.

After playing, they noticed that the plastic ball bounced well on the hard court. They lowered the net to about 36 inches and began developing a style of play that allowed players to hit the ball more aggressively.

McCallum joined the following weekend. The three founders then created rules influenced heavily by badminton while keeping one major goal in mind: the game should be enjoyable for the entire family, as reported by The Guardian.

Early pickleball feature	What the founders used
Court	Backyard badminton court
Paddles	Ping-pong or paddle-style rackets
Ball	Perforated plastic ball
Net	Badminton net lowered to about 36 inches
Main goal	A game the whole family could play

Why is it called pickleball?

The origin of the name pickleball has produced two well-known stories.

According to Joan Pritchard, Joel Pritchard’s wife, the mixture of elements from different sports reminded her of a pickle boat in rowing, which could be made up of leftover crew members from other boats. USA Pickleball has documented this explanation.

Another story claimed the game was named after the Pritchard family’s dog, Pickles. However, research published by USA Pickleball reports that Pickles arrived in the family around 1968, several years after the game was created and named. That chronology supports the pickle-boat explanation.

How did pickleball begin to grow?

Pickleball did not remain a backyard game for long.

By 1967, a permanent pickleball court had been built on Bainbridge Island. The game also spread to Olympia, Washington, as Pritchard introduced it to friends and fellow politicians.

On February 13, 1968, Pritchard and several associates incorporated Pickle Ball Inc. to help develop, sell, and promote the sport.

The sport gradually reached community centers and recreation facilities around the country. HistoryLink reports that pickleball was being played in all 50 U.S. states by 1990.

Its beginnings, however, remained simple: three fathers, a badminton court, improvised paddles, and a plastic ball.

Pickleball history FAQs

Where was pickleball first played?

Pickleball was first played on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at Joel Pritchard’s family property. The original game used an existing backyard badminton court.

What year did pickleball officially start?

1965 is recognized as the year pickleball began. Most accounts place the first games during July or August of that year.

Who are the three fathers of pickleball?

The three founders of pickleball are Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They developed the game and its early rules together on Bainbridge Island.

Was pickleball invented before or after tennis?

Pickleball was invented long after tennis. Modern lawn tennis developed during the 19th century, while pickleball was created in 1965.

Conclusion

So, when was pickleball invented? The accepted answer is summer 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum turned a simple family activity into the sport now known as pickleball.