Scott McGuire
Boomer Pickleball
Most places to play are free (parks, rec centers, senior centers, schools & churches) and there are courts popping up everywhere. And, as you can see here on BoomerPickleball.com, the equipment is quite affordable. You can get a quality paddle and pack of balls for under $50.
More than anything, pickleball is a social game . . . and studies show that social connections greatly improve our quality of life. Whether you’re on the shy side, or you’re the "life-of-the-party," you will fit in comfortably and make new friends.
We Care About YOU!
PICKLEBALL is a SUPER-FUN and EASY-TO-LEARN sport that combines elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. It’s played on a court, roughly half the size of a tennis court, with two or four players. A paddle is used to hit a plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball, back and forth over a net.
One great thing about Pickleball is you don’t have to be good to have fun. Tennis, on the other hand, takes a bit more practice and physical ability before one might find their groove. Another great thing about Pickleball is that it never gets old. There’s a never-ending curve of technique and strategy that will come as you continue to play.
A Little History:
- Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 at the home of Joel Pritchard on Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a family backyard game. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating the game. They improvised on an old badminton court with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball.
- Some sources claim that the name “Pickleball” came from the Pritchard’s family dog, Pickles. However, according to Joan Pritchard, Joel Pritchard’s wife, the name came “after I said it reminded me of the Pickle Boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats. Somehow the idea the name came from our dog Pickles was attached to the naming of the game, but Pickles wasn’t on the scene for two more years. The dog was named from the game.”
- In 2015, pickleball was recognized by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) as the fastest growing sport in the United States. The initial estimate was made in 2010, with approximately 100,000 players. By 2020, this number has exploded to 4.2M players.