Pickleball, anyone? Multi-generational racket sport taking America by storm – American Press

Nobody knows exactly why Pickleball is called Pickleball.

The sport – a hybrid of table tennis, badminton and tennis – was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle by Joel Pritchard, who later served in the US Congress and as Washington’s lieutenant governor. There are two theories about the name: the first is that it comes from the ‘cucumber boats’ that are ubiquitous in local rowing competitions in the area; others insist that the name “Pickleball” was derived from the name of the Pritchards’ family dog, Pickles.

Regardless of its origins, the sport continues to enjoy great popularity.

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America,” said Brandon Mackie, co-founder of Pickleheads, citing the most recent report from the Professional Pickleball Association, which estimates that 36.5 million people played last year. “That makes pickleball one of the most popular sports in the country in terms of participation – nearly twice the size of tennis and just behind popular activities like running and biking.”

The basic goal of pickleball, like other racquet sports, is to hit the ball over the net and prevent an opponent from hitting it back. Points can only be accumulated by the side that serves, and the winner is the side that reaches 11 points first and leads by at least two points.

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court, measuring 20 feet by 44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both the singles and doubles game. Net height is 36 inches on the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped much like a tennis court, with right and left serve courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net called the “kitchen.”

This “kitchen” gives Pickleball much of its distinctiveness. It minimizes running so older players can be just as competitive as younger, fitter players and reduces the role of power so kids can play alongside adults.

“It’s a sport played with an abbreviated racquetball racquet and a wiffle ball,” said Beth Rist, facilities manager at Enos Derbonne Sports Complex. “The wiffle ball is plastic and has holes in it, so it moves much slower than a racquetball or tennis ball itself.”

Rist said the game will be played on an abbreviated tennis court with smaller boundaries.

“It’s wonderful for middle-aged and older adults, especially those of us who have played a racquet sport before,” Rist said. “I was a diehard racquetball fan in the 80’s and 90’s and then it kind of died out. I also played tennis, but that puts a lot of strain on my joints.”

She said pickleball is a great cardio sport for older adults — and it’s picking up steam among younger generations, too.

ScienceDirect researchers recently found that people who played double pickleball for half an hour had a 14 percent higher heart rate and burned 36 percent more calories compared to walking at a self-selected pace for half an hour. Another study from Western Colorado University found that “picklers” had an average heart rate of 109 beats per minute and burned 354 calories per hour, which qualifies it as a moderate-intensity workout alongside hiking, yoga, and water aerobics. Players also saw significant improvements in their cholesterol levels, blood pressure and maximal oxygen uptake, a measure of cardiovascular fitness, after playing for one hour every other day for six weeks.

Also, regular practice can help improve balance.

At Eno’s Derbonne – which has three indoor pitches – Rist generally sees players aged 50+ – and one 82-year-old. This facility offers the game on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“Those hours will expand once our kids basketball league, which is now ending, ends,” Rist said. “We will also add time on Saturdays.”

She said the Power Center Sports Complex – which, like Enos Debronne, is part of Ward 3 Recreation – also has two pitches and offers the sport on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

So pickleball opportunities abound in Lake Charles all week long.

Pickleball has been offered at both complexes since October and Rist said Eno’s Derbonne regularly sees around 25 players a day – which she enjoys.

“I love it and I love the group, they’re all the same,” Rist said. “I’m almost in my 60’s and I’m a racquet athlete so I love it when our gym is full. It’s a great group and a growing sport.”

Mackie said pickleball is as much a social activity as it is a sport that fosters a sense of community among players.

“It’s typically played in an open-play format, with players showing up and switching games and partners,” he said. “You also almost always play pickleball doubles, which leaves a lot of opportunities to socialize and meet players.”

Mackie said there’s a reason so many players are drawn to the sport – it’s easy to learn but difficult to master.

“Beginners can go out there for the first time, learn the game, have fun, and even win a few games. But advanced players remain challenged and keep coming back,” he said. “This momentum is a big reason why Pickleball continues to grow like crazy.”