Why pickleball is called pickleball – How pickleball got its name

If you play Pickleball you must know that it is an amalgam of different racket games. It was invented by two dads who were looking to create a game for their bored kids.

The most surprising thing is how pickleball grew in popularity and how it was invented in 1960 by people living on an island and how it became popular all over the world. 

Why is pickleball called pickleball?

There is a huge debate about the origin of this game but most likely people say that it was invented between 1963 to 1966.

But the question is from where the name pickleball did come from and why pickleball is called pickleball? Many people tell us different versions of the stories. Here are two versions,

Also Read: How Is Pickleball Different From Tennis

Pickles the dog: Version 1

Pickle was one of the inventors, dog of Joel Prichard. The story says that pickle used to chase pickle balls into the bushes and sometimes runoff with them.

Till then there was no official name for the game and the inventors had no idea that this game will survive one summer at least.

But the game became mainstay in the summer vacations and people realised that it should have a name that is why the inventors and the families made a decision and named the game pickleball after their beloved family dog.

The pickle boat: Version 2

The second version of the story says that the name came from Joel’s wife Joan. According to her, pickleball was named after the pickle boat.

The last boat to finish the race is known as pickle boat. She also mention that pickleball made by the leftovers of other Sports. Ultimately it was named pickleball by the inventors.

The daughter of Joel, Peggy, says that it was not named after a dog because they did not have the dog for many years from when the game was started.

Whereas recently the creator Barney McCallum mention it that everyone involved in the game knew that the name came from the dog.

The second version is not a very simple story but after making some research we came to know that the pickleball name came after the pickle boat, not the dog.

People who have visited Bainbridge Island and Eagle Harbour, the place of origin of pickleball, have witnessed rowers practicing there.

The inventors of pickleball were politicians and business men that is why they have successfully delivered the story of pickleball origin and have spread the game.

But still many theories keep explaining why pickleball is called pickleball.

You can know about kitchen from here: What Is Pickleball Kitchen