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What’s with All the Nicknames for Pickleball? (And How did the Sport Actually Get its Name?)

pickleball names pickle tag cloud

Of all the sporting activities that people take part in, none are as humorously named as pickleball. Why would a sport that has nothing to do with pickles take on such a name?

Pickleball, which was invented at the residence of Joel Pritchard on Bainbridge Island in the state of Washington in 1965, is now a sport enjoyed by many thousands of people all over the world. It’s a bit of a quirky game as it’s a combination of many different sports including tennis, table tennis (Ping-Pong), Wiffle Ball and badminton.

It’s fitting that it has a quirky name, which has led to people misremembering or mishearing what it’s called. It has also led to many people coming up with their own hybrid names.

Pickleball Balls: Which is the Best for Indoor & Outdoor Play?

Pickleballs on court

To enjoy the game of Pickleball you will at least need a paddle and a pickleball ball. While there are huge pickleball paddle selection, it’s way easier to find the right ball to play. Pickleball ball is made out of plastic and beginners often assume that balls last forever, but it’s simply not true.

Durability is one of the most important characteristics as some balls need replacement just after a few games. Plastic tends to crack or ball develops a wobbling which will make the game less enjoyable.

Pickleball Court on Tennis Court

2 pickleball courts set on a tennis court

If you can’t find a pickleball court near you, you might have to consider setting up one by yourself on an existing tennis court.

It’s very important to remember that for any permanent changes, you must get a permit from your city or town. Don’t paint any lines, drill holes or do any other permanent changes to the court without written permission, because it’s illegal.

How to Pick Pickleball Paddle (Pickleball Racket Guide 2019)

Pickleball paddle is one single most important piece of equipment that you will need to enjoy the game.

With Pickleball growing fast in popularity, many new paddles are introduced to the market making it quite difficult to choose the right one. While it’s easy to get dazzled by different design and shapes of the paddles, we recommend you stay focused on the main specifications while choosing the right paddle: material of the paddle, weight, size of the head and grip.