Questions and Answers
What did Joel and Bill use as their initial equipment to play the game?
Why did Joel and Bill need to create new paddles?
Who suggested the name 'Pickle Ball' and what was the inspiration behind it?
Joan was a fan of which college rowing team?
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What did the leftover 'spares' from multiple universities compete in?
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Which year did the creation of the game begin?
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What role did Barney McCallum play in the development of the game?
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How did Frank recall his mother's connection to the name 'Pickle Ball'?
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What was the purpose of the badminton court Joel's parents had paved?
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Where did Joan and Joel meet before moving to Seattle?
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Who were the founders of pickleball in 1965?
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What does the name 'pickle ball' reference?
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What year was the dog Pickles born?
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Which of the following statements is true about the name debate surrounding pickleball?
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What incident prompted the creation of pickleball?
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Who conducted investigations to uncover the truth about the name of pickleball?
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In which location was pickleball originally founded?
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What was the relationship between Joel Pritchard and Frank Pritchard?
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Study Notes
Origin of Pickleball
- Pickleball was founded in the summer of 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
- The name "pickle ball" stems from the term "pickle boat," referencing leftover rowers in crew races, as coined by Joan Pritchard shortly after the game's creation.
Controversy Over Game Naming
- A dispute arose over the game's naming, with some neighbors claiming the game was named after the Pritchard family's dog, Pickles.
- The Pritchard family asserts that the dog was named after the game, not vice versa.
Evidence Regarding Dog's Birth
- Investigations revealed that Pickles the dog was born in 1968, three years post the game's inception, supporting the Pritchard family's narrative regarding the origin of the name.
Development of the Game
- The game began due to a challenge initiated by Joel Pritchard's son, Frank, who complained of boredom.
- Utilizing a backyard badminton court, Joel and Bill improvised with a perforated plastic ball and table tennis paddles, laying the groundwork for the game.
Contribution of Barney McCallum
- Barney McCallum joined the game’s development, creating more durable paddles and helping refine equipment and rules, enhancing the gameplay experience.
Naming of the Game
- The game's name was finalized during a social gathering of the Pritchards and Bells, with Joan proposing "Pickle Ball" to reflect local pickle boat racing traditions.
- Joan Pritchard’s background as a fan of crew races contributed to her selection of the name, linking it to a history of universities hosting pickle boat competitions for non-starters since at least 1938.
Cultural Significance
- Joan Pritchard's enthusiasm for the University of Washington’s rowing program and the legacy of Marietta College’s crew races underscored the cultural roots of the game's name.
- The meaningful connection between the local sports culture and the game's title highlights the interplay between community and recreational development.
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Description
Explore the origins of pickleball, founded in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island. Discover the story behind the name 'pickle ball' and the debate surrounding its origins involving family memories and local lore.
