One of the fastest-growing sports in America has to be Pickleball, and its popularity has been seen throughout Florida. It is most prominent in active adult communities, retirement communities, and in more than 55 communities of Sarasota and Manatee counties. It is a fun and easy-to-learn game that people of all ages and skills can enjoy.
This blog explores the origin of pickleball, its history, and the popularity and facilities in Sarasota/Manatee counties with pickleball courts. So read on!
Pickleball Invention and History
Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Seattle on Bainbridge Island by three dads – Bill Bell, Barney McCallum, and Joel Pritchard. Joel was a congressman and businessman, while Bill Bell was just a friend who was also a businessman.
The initial idea was not that serious because they only wanted to create some summertime fun for their kids and a game that the whole family could play together. Bell and Joel decided to create a game that combined the elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. There was already an old badminton court around Bainbridge, where they were vacationing at the time.
This prompted them to look for rackets and shuttlecocks, improvising with table tennis paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Pritchard later joined in playing the game and it was named after his dog Pickles, who would chase after the ball and hide it occasionally as they played.
By 1967 the first permanent pickleball court was made in the backyard of Pritchard’s friend, Bob O’Brian. Five years later, a corporation was formed to protect this sport, which has been growing ever since.
Pickleball’s Popularity
In the 1970s, pickleball was spreading in other parts of the country. The USA Pickleball Association was formed in 1984 to promote the sport. This association also established rules and standards.
Today, this game is played in all 50 US states and most countries worldwide. It is mostly cherished among seniors since it has a low impact on the joints, is easy to play, and is low cost.
Places to Find Pickleball Courts in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Sarasota county has both indoor and outdoor opportunities for playing pickleball distributed throughout the communities.
Some pickleball communities in the greater Sarasota area include:
- Artistry Sarasota
- Cresswind Lakewood Ranch
- Del Webb Lakewood Ranch
- Boca Royale Golf and Country Club
- Grand Park
- Aria
- Indigo
The Outdoor pickleball communities include:
- By-Pass Park/Foxworthy Campus
- Longwood Park
- Englewood Sports Complex
- Pompano Trailhead
- Hecksher Park
- Laurel Park
- Newtown Estates Park
- Fruitville Park
- Nokomis Community Park
- Woodmere Park
- Siesta Beach
- Twin Lakes Park
- Youth Athletic Complex
- Pinebrook/Wellfield Park
Indoor pickleball courts in Sarasota
- Laurel Park
- Colonial Oaks Park
- Woodmere Park
- Longwood Park
- Englewood Sports Complex
- Newtown Estates Park
- Arlington Park
- Venice Community Center
- R.L Taylor
Besides these courts, Sarasota Pickleball Club SPC was formed in 2016 to lobby the City and County government to provide outdoor dedicated pickleball courts.
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