Three Dads. One Backyard. Absolute Chaos.
If you’ve ever Googled, “Pickleball was invented in which state?”, congrats . . . you’re about to learn how three dads, a wiffle ball and zero planning turned a backyard experiment into America’s fastest-growing sport.
And the answer? Washington! Well more specifically, Bainbridge Island, Washington, where in 1965, a trio of dads unintentionally changed sports history.
Meet the pickleball founding fathers (and their legendary backyard blunder).
- Joel Pritchard: Congressman, dad and possible inventor of “just one more game!” (It’s never just one more game...)
- Bill Bell: Entrepreneur and first guy to call a very questionable line out.
- Barney McCallum: The genius behind the first official pickleball paddle. We salute you!
Armed with a badminton net, ping-pong paddles and pure dad energy, these legends accidentally invented pickleball. Today, courts are popping up faster than overpriced oat milk lattes.
How Pickleball Got Its Name (And No, It Wasn’t the Dog . . . Seriously!)
Let’s settle this once and for all - Pickles the dog did NOT name pickleball!
Joel Pritchard’s wife, Joan Pritchard, on the other hand, named the sport after “pickle boats” in rowing, which were made up of leftover oarsmen from different teams - just like how pickleball is a mix of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.
Meanwhile, Pickles the dog? He came later . . .
His only contribution? Stealing balls and looking cute.
Fast facts to impress your pickleball crew.
✔ Bainbridge Island, Washington, is the birthplace of pickleball.
✔ It’s named after a rowing term, NOT a dog.
✔ Pickleball is a mashup of tennis, ping-pong and badminton.
✔ It went from backyard boredom to a billion-dollar industry.
Why Pickleball Took Over the World (And Why You’re Next).
From backyard blunder to worldwide takeover, here’s why pickleball is dominating your instagram feed . . . and social calendar:
- So easy to learn, it feels like cheating – you’ll be addicted in one game and a pro by the second (yes, really . . . !)
- A full-body workout disguised as fun – burns 600 calories an hour but feels like recess (goodbye 6am spin class!)
- The ultimate sport mashup – if tennis, ping-pong and badminton had a baby, it would be pickleball.
- Ridiculously social – play once and suddenly your group chat is only about court times and paddle specs.
With over 36 million players in the U.S. alone, pickleball has officially outgrown its “retirement home game” reputation. Even Leonardo DiCaprio and Bill Gates are hooked!
Michelob ULTRA’s Super Bowl Ad: Pickleball’s Big-Time Debut.
If pickleball wasn’t already everywhere, Michelob ULTRA’s 2025 Super Bowl ad sealed the deal.
What happened? The ad featured:
- Willem Dafoe – Because why wouldn’t the Green Goblin dominate the pickleball court?
- Catherine O’Hara – Stealing scenes and dinking winners.
- Randy Moss & Sabrina Ionescu – Even elite athletes need to master their soft game.
This wasn’t just an ad - it was a full-blown pickleball power move. The commercial, set on a luxury pickleball court, proved one thing: pickleball isn’t just a sport - it’s a cultural movement.
Watch the Michelob ULTRA Super Bowl Ad: Michelob ULTRA 2025 Ad
Final Verdict: From Backyard Blunder to Global Obsession.
What started as three dads winging it has turned into an unstoppable sports revolution. Today, pickleball is played in over 70 countries, has pro leagues and might even be headed for the Olympics.
So, what’s next? If you’re not already playing pickleball, are you even living? Grab a paddle, hit the court and see what the hype is about! Whether you’re playing for fun, fitness or world domination, one thing is certain: pickleball is here to stay!
Upgrade your game with Nilk’s premium carbon fiber paddles – because real champions don’t play with basic gear.