PICKLEBALL MANIA

Southern influencer Charlotte Kilborn Carey explores the pickleball phenomenon and all the key pieces to dress the part. Whether you’re a full-time fanatic or looking to know a bit more, her dive into the game provides the history, stats, and looks to help us answer the question — to pickle, or not to pickle? The no-skills-required aspect spoke to us as did the cheery apparel. As for you, are you ready to get pickled?

By Charlotte Kilborn Carey

Never in my wildest dreams did I aspire to be a “day dinker,” much less have the desire to play a game named after cucumbers submerged in brine. But here we are amid the massively popular sport of pickleball that’s taking the world by storm. Indeed, it is more than a “big dill!” 

In the name of transparency, the sport caught my attention when I started noticing the cheery outfits and accessories during my nightly ritual of scrolling through social media. I mean who doesn’t love a kicky skirt? So enthralled, may I suggest the new U.S. Open equivalent, the “Vlasic Classic?”

Causing such a racquet, I started investigating the game. My findings revealed that it can be played as singles or doubles, and it is essentially a combination of badminton, ping pong, and tennis. So popular in fact, it’s even set to make a splash in the Olympic lineup as early as 2028! 

The game’s humble beginnings started in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington, when two desperate fathers dug through the sports equipment in their vacation home with the hopes of finding something to entertain their bored teenagers. Not finding a complete set of anything, Congressman Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell pulled out a badminton net, ping pong paddles, and something akin to a wiffle ball. 

From there, their curious neighbor, Barney McCallum, joined the game and they soon realized they’d stumbled upon something the whole family could play no matter the skill level. The men got busy creating rules for their new sport and by 1967, the first permanent court was constructed in the back yard of another friend, Bob O’Brian. Joel’s wife, Joan, is credited with naming the sport which is a reference to a “pickle boat,” the boat rowed by crew members who are not first-string. 

In the ‘70s, pickleball started appearing in popular tennis magazines, and in 1984, the U.S. Amateur Pickleball Association was formed, and by 1990 it was played in all 50 states. In the 2000s, seniors literally picked up the ball and created a culture of play that turned into wildly successful tournaments in popular retirement areas such as Arizona and Florida. Because of its lightweight ball and paddle, as well as its smaller court size (only 20 x 44 feet) and a shorter net (36 inches), it can be played easily by most people.

Fast forward to 2020 when the pandemic created a giant surge as people were looking for things to do outdoors that allowed for social distancing. In just two short years it was the fastest growing sport in America, and by 2023 the newly rebranded U.S. Amateur Pickleball Association had seen a 30 percent growth and counted 70,000 members. The statistics show that pickleball had grown from 4.8 million players above the age of six to an incredible 8.9 million players just in the U.S. alone! You would have to have blinders on not to have noticed the courts popping up in Mobile and on the Eastern Shore!

Pickleball’s meteoric rise is truly due to its inclusivity and easy learning curve. Its massive appeal is a testament to its ability to transcend age and skill level and bring people together for fun, exercise, and a little friendly competition. The state of Alabama now has 192 courts, and you can easily go to PickleHeads.com to find locations. 

As for me? You don’t have to ask me twice to learn a sport with rules that tell you to stay out of the kitchen! That’s a little pickleball humor. Until next time, enjoy some of my favorite pickleball pieces I’ve found, and I look forward to seeing you on the court or pink carpet. Either way, we’ll have a ball!