Pickleball becomes state’s official sport

By Nancy Treder • March 29, 2022 1:30 am

On the original court on Bainbridge Island Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law naming pickleball the state’s official sport.

Calling it, “a sport for all ages,” and, “The greatest bonding activity between grandparents and grandchildren,” Inslee congratulated Washingtonians for “giving the world yet another invention.”

The bill recognizes the locals who created the sport. Joel Pritchard, who went on to be elected lieutenant governor, and friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum invented the game in 1965 for their children at their summer cabin on Bainbridge Island near Pleasant Beach with a badminton net, ping pong paddles and a neighbor’s wiffle ball.

It took decades, but now pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in the country with 4.8 million players in the U.S. and 67 member countries in the International Federation of Pickleball. Many hope it becomes an Olympic event.

Sen. Jonn Lovick of Snohomish County sponsored the bill with help from Kate Van Gent, a COVID-19 pickleball convert who rallied support for the bill. Gent said pickleball was one of the few sports that could be played outdoors during the pandemic, and through pickleball games people were released from isolation and were able to forge new friendships and community bonds.

A highlight at the bill signing occurred when Inslee recognized Clay Roberts as Washingtonian of the Day for his enthusiasm and commitment to the sport. After the signing, the BI Metro Parks and Recreation Department hosted a community event for pickleball players and enthusiasts at Battle Point Park to celebrate.

Dressed for the court with paddle in hand, Lovick said: “This is a wonderful day for our state, and I hope we can continue to come together and just have fun. This is something that will make us all smile.”

Reflecting on the festivities, Joel Bell, son of one of the inventors of the game, said his dad just really enjoyed pickleball. “They just liked to play. And in the case of the rules, have a little mischief. It was just a game they made up, and nobody knew it’d become such a thing.”