The pickleball frenzy that’s been sweeping across America in recent years is nothing new to residents on Bainbridge Island in Washington. You may be surprised to learn how long people here in the Pacific Northwest have been in love with the game.
The History of Bainbridge Island Pickleball
Pickleball started here in a residential neighborhood on a simple blacktop driveway. It was originally set up for games of badminton. One day the badminton equipment couldn’t be found and a new game was improvised with the same net (though lower to the ground) along with wooden paddles made in the garage, and a wiffle ball.
Pickleball was born.
The year? 1965.
The game grew popular with other locals. Amendments were made to the rules and adjustments to the court. A no-volley zone (commonly called “the kitchen”) was added to stop a tall kid in the neighborhood from slamming the ball back across the net…