If you haven’t heard of pickleball, it is a paddle sport that incorporates some characteristics of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It can be played with two or four players using a solid paddle to hit a plastic ball with holes (similar to a wiffle ball) over a net. It was invented in the summer of 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum in Bainbridge Island, Washington to entertain their children.
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport with 4.8 million people now playing, almost double the number from five years ago, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. The game now has two national professional tournaments and pickleball ambassadors are helping to grow the sport to eventually be included in the Olympics.
This fun sport can be played by people of all ages and is a great way to spend time with your entire family.
Some of you may recognize this facility as the old Owl’s Creek Tennis Club. It has recently been renovated and is now Pickleball Virginia Beach. Currently, there are 18 dedicated pickleball courts, but the plan is to expand to 40 courts. Watch out for players, as they may be muggles!
3/2/22: Congratulations to steve-n-kim for FTF!
3/4/22: Updated the clue per feedback.