About ten years ago, located in the middle of Lake Sebago, a group of tennis-playing adults tried a new type of paddle sport. People enjoyed it. More and more time began to be devoted to this thing called Pickleball, rather than to tennis. Yet, having to re-tape the lines on a tennis court was tedious. During the next couple of years, a set of tennis courts was converted to nine Pickleball courts. Now each season, at least five times per week, these courts are filled with players, with more on the sidelines waiting to rotate in!
In those early days of our playing, my husband Patrick began to recall an incredible Pickleball-related childhood memory. Raised in the Seattle area in the early 1950s-60s, his dad’s side of the family, political enthusiasts whom they were, owned thirteen houses in and around Seattle and frequently held political fundraisers. These gatherings were in support of candidates such as (soon-to-be Senator) Joel Pritchard. These gentlemen are known as having been the original inventors of the game in 1965.
Patrick’s story, however, was earlier than that date: between 1961 – 1963. Patrick specifically remembers being at his aunt’s home on when the adults would take out a bunch of ping pong paddles or paddles fashioned out of plywood, set a badminton net on the lawn, and play what they then called “Picklepong”! At that time, the rules were such that the Whiffle ball needed to be kept in the air, no bouncing! Pat’s aunt Gretchen served her famous homemade gherkins pickles. The adults imbibed as they played this fun game, drinking (quite a bit of) high-ball scotch.
As Patrick’s story pre-dates Pickleball’s currently known 1965 origin story, we have reason to believe that Patrick’s family and their politically connected friends influenced the Pritchard’s ultimate “invention” and were initially responsible for the game’s inception, inventing the original version of what is now known as Pickleball! Senator Joel Pritchard ultimately popularized and fine-tuned the sport, bringing it onto his tennis courts on .
Pickleball is an amazing sport. It is accessible to most all ages and levels of ability. There is a fun element to the game, along with skill, hand-eye coordination, and some chutzpah! From “dinking” to slamming a pickleball down the court’s midline during doubles play, there is satisfaction in this activity, as well as great enjoyment related to the social aspect of the game. Does it bring adults back to a sense of childlike playfulness? With all the stressors and challenges life tends to bring, Pickleball is a way to relax and release. It is a social sport. People laugh, joke, and generally not take themselves or one another too seriously on the courts. So many people adore Pickleball. Of course, there are now professional teams and high levels of play, should one choose that path.
I see such potential for Pickleball to bring people together, build bridges, and break barriers. Pickleball etiquette is one of friendliness. Often people rotate in, constantly changing up the “teams” of two, so that at once a person may play against someone and become a doubles partner for the next game.
It is ironic, to say the least, that Patrick is a descendent of someone who influenced this game’s invention as it happens that his dad’s side of the family was not fully accepting of Patrick. While that’s another story, Pickleball happens now to be a main feature in both our lives. For me, as a player and as part of my career as travel advisor. For Pat, he has almost completed a book on the topic. Is all this a bit of redemption? Perhaps.
Patrick’s book, Pickleball! The Curious History of Pickleball From Its Origins As Picklepong, 1959 – 1963 details some hilarious early Picklepong-playing stories, featuring his scotch-filled rotund relatives along with some history of Washington State and contains food/drink recipes to host the perfect Pickleball party!
It is available worldwide at bookstores worldwide, and online retail. Signed copies can be available from the author by contacting Patrick directly at YellowBirdInfomration@gmail.com.
As a travel agent/advisor, I organize exciting Pickleball-focused vacations! My vision for this endeavor is ultimately to allow travel and Pickleball to bring people together. Travel is a way to see the world, learn, have new experiences and Pickleball, a sport where people “play” together! I have a passion to utilize the social elements of Pickleball as a way to build bridges and understanding.
Thank you, Happy Pickling all!
Let’s Seize the Dink together – join an upcoming Carpe Dink’em Pickleball group trip! Melinda offers services to work with your pickleball group to design an amazing and custom pickleball experience. You may also contact Melinda for travel inspiration of any type.
