Fox Nation’s second season of ‘Meet the American’ has taken viewers on a journey to uncover the surprising origins behind beloved American traditions, with one episode dedicated to the creation of pickleball. The episode, led by ‘America’s Newsroom’ co-anchor Bill Hemmer, explores how Joel M. Pritchard, a Seattle business executive and U.S. Army veteran, invented the sport in 1965.
Pritchard, along with his friend Bill Bell, devised the game as a way to entertain his children and their friend Barney McCallum. The trio improvised using ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball, creating a game that would eventually evolve into the modern-day version of pickleball. The sport, which blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net, using a paddle and a perforated plastic ball.
The episode highlights how what began as a casual family pastime has grown into a national craze, now recognized as the fastest-growing participation sport in America. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball’s popularity has surged, leading to the formation of Major League Pickleball in 2021 by entrepreneur Steve Kuhn. The league now has 22 teams, with 16 premiers and six challengers, demonstrating the sport’s rapid rise in popularity.
As the episode concludes, it reflects on how a simple idea born from a summer afternoon in Washington has transformed into a major American sport, showcasing the spirit of ingenuity and community that defines many American traditions. The story serves as a reminder of how small, unassuming inventions can leave a lasting legacy, shaping culture and bringing people together through shared interests and activities.