Pickleball is a fast-growing racket sport played with a smooth paddle and a perforated plastic ball over a low net, blending elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton. It was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and was officially named the state sport of Washington in 2022. The game features a unique "non-volley zone" (or kitchen) that prevents players from smashing the ball at the net, encouraging strategic soft "dink" shots—a rule that gives it a dynamic pace. After being named the fastest-growing sport in the US for four straight years (2021–2024), participation exploded, with 24.3 million Americans playing in 2025, a 171% increase over three years. The name's origin is debated: Joan Pritchard said it reminded her of a "pickle boat" (a crew of leftover oarsmen), while a popular myth credits the family dog, Pickles—though the dog was actually named after the game, and co-creator Bill Bell claimed he named it for putting opponents in a "pickle." Professional tours and leagues emerged in 2019, and the sport is now expanding globally, with over 90% of professional players coming from a tennis background.