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Joel Pritchard improvised a game from a perforated plastic ball, a volleyball net, and ping pong paddles. He would later come to make a set of rules for the unnamed game. This was the birth of pickleball. USAPA.org
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In Pritchards neighbor's yard, the first permanent pickleball court was created. This literally cemented it as a full and complete game. USAPA.org
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A corporation was formed to protect the new and growing sport. Now that a corporation has been established, the young sport has gained not only backing, but recognition. USAPA.org
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The National Observer published an article on pickleball. This article is one of the first and most prominent journalistic publishings on the growing sport, bring it further into public light. USAPA.org
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The first known pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington. Pickleball just became the newest competitive sport. USAPA.org
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The first pickleball rulebook was printed. This made sure that pickleball would stay as originally intended: a game for the whole family to play. USAPA.org
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The first paddles made of fiberglas and nomex honeycomb panels are created and distributed. The game thus far has been played with anything from badminton rackets to ping-pong paddles. These advanced paddles show the advancement of pickleball. USAPA.org
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Pickleball is now being played in all 50 states. This shows the amount of growth created in a small amount of time. USAPA.org
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Joel Pritchard, the creator of Pickleball, passed away at the age of 72. This represents the age of the game, as it is now 32 years old. USAPA.org
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It has been 50 years since pickleball was created. This is the first great time marking since the game began.The Origins of Pickleball: How It All Began
