Did You Know? Pickleball was Invented in WA

Though Pickleball has been around since the 1960s, many may be surprised to find out that it was invented right here in Washington state.

Pickleball, if you're not familiar, is a little like tennis or ping-pong. Not as fast or as 'hard core' as tennis but also not as precise as ping-pong. A smaller court than tennis with a hard, plastic ball being used to bounce back and forth with unique pickleball paddles that are a little like those hard paddles used for ping-pong but bigger. A very active sports but doesn't require all the stamina of, say, soccer. It's a huge hit for the older demographic but I'm seeing more and more youth get into it as well. I'm all for it.

Where was Pickleball invented?

Of all places, Bainbridge Island in Washington State. What was once a playground game because, as of 2022, the official sport of Washington State. Pretty cool!

Can you imagine if other playground games became official sports? I'd love to see 4-Square on ESPN or Olympic Tether Ball. They already have Tag an official sport that looks insane to watch.

I think it's just fascinating that someone can make up a sport or their own rules and have it become an official sport. Anyone can do this with any sport. Certainly you've had ideas in the past where you make up rules to a new game using whatever you have laying around. I supposed if it get popular enough with the people on your block, you could have your own sport, too.