Where does the name pickleball come from?

Pickleball, the trendy sport with ever-growing interest, has an interesting origin story behind it. In the summer of 1965, the game was invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington. But where did the name "pickleball" actually come from?

It was Joan Pritchard, Joel's wife, who suggested the name "Pickle Ball." It is a reference to the spontaneously assembled teams that competed in rowing competitions in the "Pickle Boats". There was later controversy when some neighbors claimed the game was named after the family dog, Pickles. However, the Pritchard family insists that the dog came several years later and was named after the game. To settle the debate, Pickleball Magazine researched and found that the dog was actually born in 1968, three years after the game was named. Thus, confirming the original story that Pickleball was named in reference to local "pickle boat" rowing competitions.

It is now clear that the name "Pickleball" is based on an interesting incident from the time of rowing races. The game's founding story remains a fascinating part of pickleball history that gets its proper recognition thanks to Joan Pritchard. Today, pickleball enjoys great popularity and, thanks to Pickleball Corner, is finding more and more enthusiastic followers in Switzerland as well.

As always, if you have any further questions about pickleball, don't hesitate to contact our Pickleball Corner experts at kontakt@pickleballcorner.ch.