Amarillo Pickleball Guide: Leagues, Clubs and Where to Play

I'll be the first to admit, the first time I heard the term pickleball, I thought it was a way to eat pickles. I mean, truthfully, it's such a silly name for a sport. But the origin and history of pickleball are quite interesting.

How Pickleball Got Its Name

According to USA Pickleball, the game was founded in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They created the game to entertain their families and themselves. The name came from "a reference to the thrown-together leftover non-starters in the 'pickle boat' of crew races." A popular rumor claims it was named after the family dog, Pickles, but the timeline doesn't hold up: the dog wasn't born until 1968, three years after the name was already in use.

It's a fascinating history:

In recent years, the popularity of pickleball has exploded all over the world. Amarillo is no stranger to the pickleball craze.

Amarillo's Pickleball Leagues and Clubs

Amarillo has at least three organized pickleball leagues.

• Honcho Pickleball League
• City of Amarillo Parks and Rec Municipal Leagues
• Tascosa Athletic Club Leagues & Ladders

Amarillo has four pickleball clubs.

• Amarillo Pickleball Club
• Amarillo Netplex Pickleball Club
• Amarillo Country Club
• Tascosa Golf Club

Read More: Amarillo Pickleball Tournament Serves Up Miracles for Local Kids

Why Pickleball Keeps Growing in Popularity

The great thing about pickleball is that it is suitable for any age and skill level. According to Grand Slam Safety, the increase in popularity for pickleball comes down to several reasons:

• Accessibility
• Appealing to all ages
• Low impact and great exercise
• Easy to set up
• Affordable
• Play indoor or outdoor

If you're ready to play pickleball and are looking for a place to play, Amarillo has a lot of great courts.

Read More: Remember When We Thought Pickleball was the Future of Amarillo's Bed Bath and Beyond Building?

Pickleball: it's a game, not a food, it's been around for over 6 decades, and it's readily available right here in Amarillo. Who is ready to go play?