From Backyard Game to Global Obsession: The Real Story of Pickleball

Pickleball started in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, when Joel Pritchard, a Washington state congressman, returned home with a group of friends and nothing to do. 

They found a badminton court, lowered the net, grabbed ping-pong paddles, and improvised a game using a perforated plastic ball. It wasn’t meant to be a sport. It was meant to pass the afternoon. But the game stuck. 

From One Court to Everywhere 
Over the next couple of summers, the rules were refined, the non-volley zone “kitchen” was introduced. The court dimensions settled. What started as improvisation became something repeatable. That shift became literal in 1967, when Bob O’Brian, a friend of the founders, built the first dedicated pickleball court.  

From there, it spread. Neighbors played. Friends introduced it elsewhere. Schools picked it up because it was easy to teach and inexpensive to run. Parks departments followed. By the early 1970s, the rules were being written down and circulated more formally, and equipment production had begun. 

Pickleball grew steadily, especially in community and recreational settings, where its low-impact, social nature made it easy to adopt. Then, in the late 2010s—and especially after 2020—it accelerated. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for multiple consecutive years, with participation expanding well beyond its original audience. 

Keep It Going 
With Rally + Restore, that original spirit is still there, but with more intention. Dedicated courts, structured play, and access to a pro create an experience that lets you step into the game quickly (and stay in it longer). Because the best part of pickleball isn’t just where it started. It’s where it can take you. 

Discover Rally + Restore 

Ready to play? Explore our Pickleball Clinics, offered weekly at Ocean Edge.

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