Pickle-ball originated in the United States in the 1960s as a backyard game. It has been debated who started it, but it is widely believed to have been invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in Washington State. It has grown in popularity, particularly among older adults, looking for a low-impact, social activity. Which is organized through various channels, including recreational leagues, clubs, schools, and tournaments. There are often divisions based on skill level, age, and sometimes gender.

The rules are quite similar to those of tennis, with potential variations depending on the organization or tournament. The basic rules of pickle-ball remain consistent across most settings.

Click the photo to the left for complete rules.

The number of competitive player levels vary, like youth, high school, college, and professional levels, depending on the region. There are National youth organizations like the USA Pickle-ball Association (USAPA) exist to promote the sport among young players. These organizations rely on volunteers and sponsorships from companies interested in supporting youth sports. Recruiting pickle-ball players may occur through high school programs, club teams, and tournaments. Like the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and other events can also be significant to attract players. There is a ranking system that generally evaluates players based on performance in tournaments, like the ones seen on ESPN.

Pickle-ball in college sports is relatively recent compared to more established sports, but is continually gaining recognition It has gained a lot of attention in collegiate settings in recent years, with more universities offering pickle-ball programs and scholarships. It has yet to be considered a premier college sport, but is growing among colleges and universities. There are many institutions that have recognized teams and competed in regional and national competitions. Pickle-ball is still developing and there may not be longstanding dynasties or powerhouses yet, but this is just the beginning. As pickle-ball is still relatively young compared to other sports, there may not be widely recognized top earners or highest achievers on a global scale. However, within the pickle-ball community, top performers are often those who have excelled in professional tournaments and consistently perform well in high level competitions.