Pickleball History Upended? New Book Claims Whidbey Island, Not Bainbridge, Was the True Origin

What's the Score?

A recently unearthed self-published book titled Pickleball!: The Curious History of Pickleball From Its Origins As Picklepong 1959–1963 by Patrick W. Smith has ignited a debate within the pickleball community by challenging the long-accepted origin story of the sport. For decades, Bainbridge Island, Washington, has been celebrated as the birthplace of pickleball, credited to Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in the summer of 1965. However, Smith's book posits an earlier origin, claiming the game was first played on Whidbey Island, just north of Bainbridge, between 1959 and 1963 by his family.

Hit it deeper!

The traditional narrative surrounding pickleball's inception is deeply entrenched in the sport's lore. The Pritchard home on Bainbridge Island, where the game supposedly originated, is even considered a pilgrimage site for pickleball enthusiasts, complete with signage and a commemorative plaque. Organizations like USA Pickleball reference this origin story, solidifying its institutional status.

However, Thomas Shields, founder of The Dink and co-host of PicklePod, stumbled upon Smith's book, which presents a compellingly different account. According to Smith, his family, the Bechtels, played a backyard game they called "Picklepong" or "Pickleball" on Whidbey Island several years prior to the 1965 Bainbridge date. Smith suggests that Joel Pritchard and Barney McCallum may have encountered this game at political fundraisers hosted by the Bechtels and subsequently introduced it to Bainbridge Island, where they formalized the rules and claimed its invention.

Smith also offers alternative explanations for the name "pickleball," diverging from the popular theories involving a family dog named Pickles or the "pickle boats" rowing term. He claims the name originated from players often being "pickled" (intoxicated) during their games and from Gretchen Bechtel's tradition of serving homemade gherkin pickles before each match. Adding another intriguing layer, Smith suggests that the term "kitchen," a fundamental part of pickleball terminology, may have stemmed from a domestic squabble involving Aunt Gretchen.

Despite the intriguing claims, the "Bechtel Theory" has been met with scepticism, particularly due to the lack of prior acknowledgment and concrete evidence such as photos or documents. Riley Newman, a top-ranked professional pickleball player and a native of Whidbey Island, had never heard this version of history. However, in a later interview, Smith appeared to soften his stance, suggesting that the Bechtels' game was the "prehistory" of pickleball, and the Bainbridge trio invented the version played today, possibly influenced by what they learned.

The World Pickleball Verdict

Patrick W. Smith's book injects a fascinating element of historical intrigue into the story of pickleball's origins. While the established Bainbridge Island narrative is widely accepted and celebrated, the "Bechtel Theory" raises pertinent questions about the complexities of historical accounts and the often-unacknowledged contributions of individuals in the early stages of a sport's development. Whether the Bechtels were the true originators or simply played a precursor to the modern game, Smith's research encourages a deeper examination of pickleball's roots. This historical debate, regardless of its ultimate resolution, adds a rich layer to the narrative of a sport that continues to experience remarkable growth and global expansion. The call for any corroborating evidence or counter-evidence indicates that the search for the complete story of pickleball's beginnings is ongoing.