Pickleball started in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, during a family summer weekend.
If you have ever wondered pickleball started in what year, you are in the right place. I have spent years playing, teaching, and researching the sport’s roots. In this guide, I’ll break down the exact year, the people behind it, and the key moments that turned a backyard idea into a global craze. Stay with me to get a clear, friendly, and well-researched take on pickleball started in what year.
The Origin: 1965 and the Story Behind the First Game
The question pickleball started in what year comes up a lot, and the answer is simple: 1965. On Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, three neighbors—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—set out to create a fun game for their families. They used what they had on hand: a badminton court, a perforated plastic ball, and paddles that would soon be custom-made from plywood.
From the start, the game had its own feel. The net was set lower than badminton. The court used the same size as badminton doubles. Rallies were long and social. Those choices shaped the sport we play today.
Key early details that set the tone:
- Founders built the first makeshift court at the Pritchard home.
- Play started with simple rules to keep the game fun for all ages.
- The non-volley zone near the net helped balance power and touch.
When people search for pickleball started in what year, they want the date. It is 1965, and the place is Bainbridge Island. That is the heart of the origin story.
A Simple Timeline: From 1965 to Today
If you ask pickleball started in what year, you also want the bigger picture. Here is a clean, simple timeline to see how the sport grew over time.
- 1965: The game is created on Bainbridge Island by Pritchard, Bell, and McCallum.
- 1967: The first dedicated court is built at a neighbor’s home.
- 1972: A company is formed to protect and promote the game’s growth.
- 1976: The first known tournament is held in Tukwila, Washington.
- 1984: A national association forms and publishes the first official rulebook.
- 1984: The first composite paddles appear, made from aircraft materials.
- 1990: The game is played in all 50 U.S. states.
- 2009: The first national championship draws players from across the country.
- 2020s: The sport surges in parks, clubs, schools, and pro tours worldwide.
In clinics, I give new players this timeline so they can remember pickleball started in what year and how fast it grew. It helps them see that 1965 is not just a date—it is the spark for an entire culture.
Why 1965 Matters: Rules, Gear, and Culture Set Early
Pickleball started in what year is not just a trivia line. The early rules and tools from 1965 still guide how we play.
Some key design choices made back then:
- Court size: The founders based it on a badminton doubles court. That small footprint makes play easy to learn and easy to set up.
- Net height: Lower than badminton to invite longer rallies and more control.
- The kitchen: The non-volley zone reduces net smashes and rewards soft hands.
Those choices help balance speed and strategy. They also make the game friendly to new players. When someone asks pickleball started in what year, I tell them 1965—and I add that many core ideas from that summer still stand today.
The Name and Other Myths
With history, myths pop up. When people explore pickleball started in what year, they also ask how it got its name.
Common myths and the simple truth:
- The dog story: Some say the game was named after a family dog, Pickles. The dog did exist and did chase balls, but the name likely came from the “pickle boat” in crew, a mix of leftover rowers—just like the sport blended gear and ideas.
- The 1970s start myth: You may see claims that it began in the 1970s. That is growth, not the start. The first games happened in 1965.
- The court myth: Some think the early court was tennis-sized. It was not. It followed badminton doubles size.
So if you hear someone ask pickleball started in what year, you can say 1965 with confidence, and share why the name stuck.
How I Teach the Origin to New Players
When I coach beginners, I hear pickleball started in what year at least once per session. I give a short, sticky version: 1965, Bainbridge Island, three dads, a wiffle-style ball, and a badminton court. It is fast, clear, and easy to remember.
A few tips you can use when sharing the story:
- Keep it short: Say 1965 first, then add the location.
- Make it human: Mention the families and the summer weekend feel.
- Tie it to the rules: Explain how the kitchen and short court came from day one.
This helps people connect history to how they play. It also helps them answer pickleball started in what year when friends ask later.
Deeper Context: What Changed After 1965
It is one thing to know pickleball started in what year. It is another to see how the sport matured.
What evolved over time:
- Paddles: From wood to composites with better touch and less weight.
- Balls: From simple plastic to models tuned for indoor and outdoor bounce.
- Rules: Scoring and serve rules became consistent through published rulebooks.
- Community: Leagues, ratings, and pro events made the sport a full pathway.
I have tested many paddles over the years and watched how the gear improved safety and control. But the core game feel still echoes that first 1965 setup. That is why the answer to pickleball started in what year is more than a date—it is a design DNA that still guides play.
How to Use the History to Improve Your Game
You might wonder how knowing pickleball started in what year helps your performance. It can.
Practical ways to apply the origin story:
- Embrace control: The game was built for long rallies and touch. Work on dinks and resets.
- Respect the kitchen: That rule keeps play fair. Train footwork to avoid faults.
- Use the court size: Plan angles and placement. Aim at feet and into space.
- Keep it social: The founders built a family game. Play with a smile. It helps you learn faster.
I use a short mantra in clinics: 1965 equals touch, space, and fun. Remembering pickleball started in what year also reminds you what skills matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions of pickleball started in what year
What year did pickleball start?
Pickleball started in 1965. The first games were played on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Who invented pickleball?
Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum created the game in 1965. They set it up for their families during a summer weekend.
Where did pickleball originate?
It began on Bainbridge Island near Seattle. The early court was in a backyard space.
Why is it called pickleball?
The most cited origin ties to the “pickle boat” in crew, a mix of leftovers. A family dog named Pickles did exist, but the name likely came first.
When was the first pickleball tournament?
The first known tournament took place in 1976 in Tukwila, Washington. It helped spread the game beyond local parks.
How did the gear change after 1965?
Wood paddles gave way to lighter composite paddles by the mid-1980s. Balls also evolved for better bounce and durability indoors and outdoors.
How can I remember pickleball started in what year?
Say “1965, Bainbridge Island.” Repeat it with the founders’ names once or twice, and it will stick.
Conclusion
Pickleball started in 1965, and that single year shaped a sport built on touch, space, and shared joy. The story of three neighbors, a simple court, and a plastic ball still guides how we play and teach today.
Use this history to sharpen your game and your love for it. Share the 1965 origin with a new player this week, then go hit a few dinks together. Want more guides like this? Subscribe, drop a comment with your questions, and tell me how you first learned the 1965 story.