It’s nearly summertime, and many thoughts turn to sports: baseball, basketball, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, and Disc Golf, to name a few. But have your thoughts ever turned to Pickleball?

By now, you must have heard of Pickleball, because it has been a fast-growing sport since its creation in 1965. Although it has a funny name, Pickleball is a world-wide phenomenon—there are over 2,000,000 Pickleball enthusiasts in the United States alone. It can be played through community groups, PE classes, retirement communities, senior centers, schools—anywhere there is enough space and some simple equipment. It’s a simple game for the whole family, so don’t you think it’s time to join in the fun?

Pickleball is similar to badminton. And tennis. And ping pong. It is meant to be just plain fun, although there are leagues and competitions and official rules and equipment. But it is also fun to just play for the fun of it with no pressure.

Pickleball is played on a badminton-size court with a low tennis net, ping-pong-like paddles, and a plastic wiffle ball. It is easy to learn, good exercise, full of social interaction (like joking and laughing and positive camaraderie), and intergenerational. It puts the extreme athlete and the 98-pound weakling on the same level. It’s also less dangerous than skydiving. What more could you ask?

The game began in 1965 when Washington State congressman Joel Pritchard and businessman Bill Bell found their families sitting around Pritchard’s Bainbridge Island home, bored and restless. They grabbed some table tennis paddles and a wiffle ball, headed to their badminton court, lowered the net, came up with some scant rules, and a phenomenon was born.

Friends and neighbors loved the game and soon made their own special paddles using jigsaws and marine plywood. It was not limited to those who could afford to own or travel to an “official” court—all you needed was a piece of chalk and a driveway or some yard space. Having no Internet or advertising budget, the excitement of the game spread by word-of-mouth.

In 1972, Pickleball was officially incorporated, giving it a platform for official paddles, balls, nets, and other gear. In 1976, the first known pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington. Today, there are over 21,000 known Pickleball courts in the U.S., and official US club memberships are in the tens of thousands. There are even rules for adaptive and wheelchair pickleball.

OK, now to the part everyone has been waiting for: Where did the name “pickleball” come from? There are two similar stories, one or both of which may be true. (1) According to Joel Pritchard’s wife, Joan, she started calling the game “pickleball'' because “the combination of different sports reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.” (2) However, according to Barney McCallum, the game was officially named after the Pritchards’ dog, Pickles, who would chase the ball and run off with it. Maybe both are true. Either way, it’s friendly and memorable, just like the game.

Grange Park

360 Grange Road, Allentown

610-395-4892

YMCA Allentown

425 South 15th Street, Allentown 610-351-9622

Jewish Community Center

702 N 22nd Street, Allentown 610-435-3571

Lindberg Park

2800 Lindberg Park, Allentown 610-797-4000

Pickleball Courts at Blue Barn Park

5770 Snowy Orchid Lane, Allentown 610-395-4892

Prater Park

4496 North Hedgerow Dr., Allentown

610-966-4343

Rodale Park

2001 Riverbend Rd., Allentown 610-871-0281

Lower Macungie Community Center

3450 Brookside Rd., Allentown 610-966-6924

Wild Cherry Park

4600 Wild Cherry Lane, Macungie 610-966-4343

Mill Race Park

2001 Newlins Mill Rd., Easton 610-253-9957

Forks Township Community Center

500 Zucksville Rd., Easton 610-250-2260

Greater Valley YMCA, Bethlehem

430 E. Broad St., Bethlehem 610-867-7588

Sand Island Tennis Courts

45 River St., Bethlehem

Clearview Park

2246 Pinehurst Rd., Bethlehem

Monocacy Complex

Illick’s Mill Rd., Bethlehem

Westside Park

132 13th Ave., Bethlehem 610-865-7081

Hanover Township Community Center

3660 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem 610-317-8701

Northwood Racquet & Fitness Club

3738 Northwood Ave., Easton 610-258-2907

Bethlehem Township Community Center

2900 Farmersville Rd., Bethlehem 610-332-1900

Lehigh Valley Active Life

1633 W. Elm St., Allentown 610-437-3700

Louise Moore Park

151 Country Club Rd., Easton 610-829-6500

Newburg Park

4600 Newburg Rd., Nazareth 610-759-7434

St. Luke’s SPORTSPLEX

4636 Crackersport Rd., Allentown 610-351-6340

Paddles, balls (indoor and outdoor), nets, shoes, shirts, skirts, shorts, bags, paddle covers, gloves, caps, visors, eye protection, sweat bands, grip tape, socks, water bottles, towels, first aid kits, ball carriers and collectors, tutor machines, court cleaners, paddle racks. Pickleball gear is now available at most big box and sports stores.

Beginners can start with a paddle and pickleball set for about $30 and up.

lehighvalleypickleball.com/

app.courtreserve.com/Online/Portal/Index/10252 (PICKLEBALL LEHIGH VALLEY)

NOTE: Information was considered current as of the publication date. Contact the venues and providers for up-to-date information.