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How Pickleball Became America's Fastest-Growing Sport: The game's popularity has led some to speculate that it may someday become an Olympic sport.
Dogo News ^ | 01/17/2024 | Jono Sison

Posted on 02/21/2024 10:15:44 AM PST by SeekAndFind



Move over, tennis! There is a new recreational sport in town — pickleball. In 2023, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) deemed it the fastest-growing sport in America for the third consecutive year. They estimate that about 36.5 million people have played the game at least once in the year.

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three friends. The first game was played on a badminton court with a pair of ping-pong paddles. It followed the same rules as those of court tennis.

However, after playing the game over a few weekends, the inventors made a few changes. They lowered the net, moved to a tennis court, and simplified the scoring. The origin of the game's name is unclear. But some believe it may have been named after one of the inventors' dogs, who went by the name Pickles.


Pickleball's popularity has grown since the COVID-19 Pandemic (Credit: Pickleheads/ CC-BY-SA-2.0)

Pickleball remained a local secret for almost 20 years. In 1984, Washington residents Sid Williams and Bryon Olson formed the United States Amateur Pickleball Association and released an official rulebook. The sport saw some success in the following years. However, it really gained momentum in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With many team sports off-limits, people turned to pickleball as a socially distant way to stay active. The game's low barrier to entry escalated its popularity. Unlike tennis, pickleball can be played anywhere. Makeshift courts can instantly be created on a driveway or cul-de-sac using sidewalk chalk or painter's tape and a portable net. The paddles and balls are also very affordable. Additionally, pickleball is easier to learn and much slower-paced than tennis.

"In tennis, the balls are all over the place," pickleball coach Ernie Medina Jr. told The New York Times. "In pickleball, you're hitting a plastic wiffle-like ball, so it's less bouncy and doesn't fly as fast through the air. And the paddle is much easier to handle because it's shorter and lighter than a tennis racket."


Pickleball is easier to learn than tennis (Credit: Differencebetween.net/ CC-BY-SA-2.0)

Most importantly, pickleball is a fun, social, and effective way to exercise. A study by the University of Colorado found that players can burn up to 354 calories during a half-hour doubles pickleball game. The calorie output increases substantially in a singles game.

"With a singles match, you're definitely going to be covering more of the court, moving more, and burning more calories," study leader Lance Dalleck told The New York Times. "Pickleball is not just a good workout, it's a great workout."

Given the game's attributes, it should come as no surprise that pickleball, once the realm of people over 50, is quickly gaining traction with younger people. The SFIA report found that in 2023, 28.8 percent of pickleball players in the US were between 18 and 34!

The sport's growth is not just reserved for the United States. Australia, Spain, Canada, and the UK all report an increasing number of pickleball players. The game's popularity has led some to speculate that it may someday become an Olympic sport.


TOPICS: Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: pickleball; sports; tennis
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To: SeekAndFind
Most importantly, pickleball is a fun, social, and effective way to exercise.

Unlike tennis, which is boring, antisocial, and ineffective as exercise ...

41 posted on 02/21/2024 11:10:22 AM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Lakeshark

Well, the truth is that I only know a few younguns, and way more retirees at this point in my life. The younguns I do know don’t play, and don’t seem to have time to play. The younguns I know love video games though. They have time for that.

I’m not saying that what you’re asserting isn’t true. I’d bet it is growing more popular by the day. It would be great if the younger generation decided to go outside, get some fresh air and exercise, and stop playing video games, even for an hour. I think video games are a waste of time. Just my opinion though.


42 posted on 02/21/2024 11:12:37 AM PST by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Lakeshark

I see all age groups playing - including often grandparents teaching their grandkids to play. It’s a way to have fun and get out and have a little exercise but doesn’t require great agility, practice, or athletic ability. No wonder it’s so popular!

The only downside is the noise - which if you’re in a public park you should expect. Some courts near residences are installing sound barriers to dampen the sound.


43 posted on 02/21/2024 11:13:00 AM PST by bigbob ( )
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To: FamiliarFace

I can’t remember the last time I saw kids out riding their bikes, or playing a pickup game on an empty lot.


44 posted on 02/21/2024 11:15:53 AM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: FlipWilson

This^^^ is what I’ve heard, too.

My nephew is an orthopedic surgeon. He’s been very busy!


45 posted on 02/21/2024 11:16:05 AM PST by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: SeekAndFind

Let’s hope it goes the way of racketball and dies so we can get our tennis courts back.


46 posted on 02/21/2024 11:16:24 AM PST by vespa300
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To: Jamestown1630

To be good at darts takes a lot of skill. ;)


47 posted on 02/21/2024 11:16:52 AM PST by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: thefactor

“This country is aging and this game gives elderly people a decent activity to do that’s also social and not physically taxing. I think it’s here to stay.”

That’s what I figured. It’s apparently for people — not necessarily only the elderly — who aren’t physically up to playing tennis (even doubles?) and actually moving their feet very much.

Even among punkies who think they are athletes (only in their imaginations) the new fad seems to be walking rather than jogging; I know several who brag about how many steps they walk in a day when they aren’t busy couch potato-ing.

If you’re 70, that’s an accomplishment; if you’re 30, that’s an embarrassment.


48 posted on 02/21/2024 11:19:57 AM PST by PermaRag (Joo Biden is not my President)
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To: SeekAndFind

My take is Pickleball is a total scam. Nobody plays tennis anymore so park had to come with the idea of tennis lite. It is similar to the idea of playing footsie with a bean bag. The local park district put in sand pits a decade or so ago and I have never seen one in use during my daily walks..


49 posted on 02/21/2024 11:25:43 AM PST by EVO X ( )
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To: EVO X
The local park district put in sand pits a decade or so ago and I have never seen one in use during my daily walks..

Our town spent tens of thousands on a skateboard park, for 1 or 2 people. nuts.

50 posted on 02/21/2024 11:26:55 AM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: SeekAndFind

Pickleball is tennis for 50 something former tennis players who can’t afford another acl tear.


51 posted on 02/21/2024 11:27:48 AM PST by Opinionated Blowhard (When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.)
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To: SeekAndFind
many people's 2¢

The courts are small enough that people are building them into their yards, and the game is TOO DAMN NOISY for the innocent neighbors who are not playing to listen to, especially all night!

"Homeowner associations" are going to need to ban them in yards and where already constructed seriously limit the hours, eg, no pickleball after dark. Then build a well isolated area for community courts.

They also need to develop a ball and paddles that are quieter and ban the noisy equipment! Invention opportunity!

/many people's 2¢

52 posted on 02/21/2024 11:27:50 AM PST by Weirdad (Orthodox Americanism: It's what's good for the world! (Not communofascism!))
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To: Jamestown1630

We had a young family buy a house down the street that had retirees in it before them. The retirees moved to Florida full time instead of being snow birds. Well that new family (4 kids) has an active 5 year old boy. He’s full of imagination.

Suddenly, we see kids playing outside with him every day now! Every day, except for maybe the single digit days (and maybe we didn’t see any because we didn’t go for our daily walks outside).

They ride bikes together, play pick up nerf gun fights, throw a football around. It’s caught on like wildfire, playing outside. Lots of the kids in the neighborhood are outside now. Even the girls are out in their yards doing handsprings, headstands, etc.

This one little boy and his family have turned our older quiet neighborhood into a bustling, active place for the children. It’s been a joy to watch.


53 posted on 02/21/2024 11:28:25 AM PST by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: FamiliarFace

I wish we had that. The only time I see kids anymore is occasionally when they walk to and from school. I guess they’re glued to computers and cell phones the rest of the time.


54 posted on 02/21/2024 11:31:21 AM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: bigbob
Yeah, the noise can be bad if you live next to a court. That's a valid complaint.

The sport can be played by people who don't have those athletic qualities you mention, but you won't win very much without them. Good, competitive games require a tremendous athletic ability. I have played with good players in their 20's and 30's who are top level athletes. It requires all those abilities you mention to be good at this sport.

Of course you can play with people who aren't as competitive, and it is still fun, and keeps you active. There is that side to it as well.

55 posted on 02/21/2024 11:36:18 AM PST by Lakeshark (Trump. He stands for the great issues of the day. Stay the course!)
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To: DoodleBob

“I’m not gonna ramble about how I don’t care, I hate sports, I boycotted the NFL since 1492, I never owned a TV, I never drank Bud Light, the good guy who wounded the perp should have spent more time at the range, and….”

What?? You’re not an expert at everything?? Then you probably have no business posting on this forum...although you didn’t say whether or not you could land a disabled 747 better than the pilot in command, so perhaps there’s still hope for you. :)


56 posted on 02/21/2024 11:41:32 AM PST by Magic Fingers (Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
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To: 1Old Pro
Our town spent tens of thousands on a skateboard park, for 1 or 2 people. nuts.

I think it likely your town also spent thousand of dollars putting sand into those skate parks during early Covid and the removal later...

57 posted on 02/21/2024 11:51:08 AM PST by EVO X ( )
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To: FlipWilson

I smack wiffle golf balls in my backyard, I used to watch my nephews play wiffle ball at a ballpark in wiffle league play that was actually kind of fun to watch. But pickleball? I used to play tennis, I had some injuries to various joints that come into play as a right-handed man, a knee for one. shoulder for the other and to be honest I really don’t play golf except to smack wiffle balls in my backyard these days but as the knee comes around back to semi-normal maybe I’ll get a little bit of tee time happening.

When somebody “wiffles” around here it can clear a room, especially if it’s a crop duster.


58 posted on 02/21/2024 12:54:54 PM PST by Clutch Martin ("The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right." )
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To: SeekAndFind

Pickle ball is kind of a big dill...not gerkin ya around...


59 posted on 02/21/2024 12:56:46 PM PST by Adder (End fascism...defeat all Democrats.)
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To: FamiliarFace

You’re right.

This Pickleball is the only thing I’ve seen where the youth are willingly leaving their video gaming to play an actual athletic sport.

It’s good.

The tennis courts are packed every night with teens and early 20’s kids.


60 posted on 02/21/2024 1:08:41 PM PST by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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