Pickleball in Brookhaven: Pickleball, with its quirky name and newfound appeal, has swiftly captured global attention. What began as a leisurely summer pastime now boasts international acclaim, carving out its distinct niche despite similarities to tennis and ping-pong. The sport’s rise has led to the establishment of bodies like the International Federation of Pickleball and the World Pickleball Federation, sparking discussions of its potential inclusion in the Olympics.
On Long Island, the influence of pickleball is visible. Over the past two years, the Town of Brookhaven has installed its first 11 outdoor courts at Centereach Park, a number recently expanded to 22. Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R) succinctly confirms its trend status among residents, affirming, ‘It is.’
Roots of Pickleball
Pickleball traces its roots to Bainbridge Island, Washington, back in the summer of ’65. Joel Pritchard, a future congressman then serving as a Washington State legislator, along with his close friend Bill Bell, stumbled upon a vexed 13-year-old, Frank, during a vacation. Frank lamented his boredom, prompting a sarcastic challenge to his father to invent a game for everyone.
Taking the challenge to heart, Pritchard, Bell, and their friend Barney McCallum cobbled together the inaugural version of pickleball from an eclectic mix: ping-pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball from a children’s bat-and-ball set, and a badminton net. The name, ‘pickleball,’ coined by Pritchard’s wife Joan, humorously nods to the mishmash of participants akin to rowing’s “pickle boats.”
Thus, pickleball’s origin story began, created in creativity and family fun, marking the birth of a now-thriving sport.
Rising Pickleball in Brookhaven
In Brookhaven, Panico notes a surge in demand for more courts, citing heavy utilization prompting increased funding to double court numbers. Plans also include resurfacing three existing courts at the Brookhaven Aquatic Center in Mastic Beach to meet rising popularity. Panico observes firsthand the courts’ morning buzz at the Moriches Athletic Complex, showing the community’s embrace of pickleball.
“Around the town, there has been an impetus to install more pickleball courts, because the popularity of the sport has exploded, The existing courts were so heavily utilized that we put additional monies in the budgewt to double the number of courts townwide.” -( Dan Panico )
Panico emphasized that pickleball’s popularity isn’t just a topic of conversation but is visibly evident: “When I left my house this morning, I went past the Moriches Athletic Complex, and I was pleased to see that the courts were full. And that was early in the morning, so people are utilizing them and that’s what we want them to do. We try to meet the needs of our residents to the best of our ability.”
Across Long Island, from Port Jefferson to Smithtown and Huntington, pickleball courts are proliferating, mirroring its growing popularity nationwide.
News in Brief: Pickleball in Brookhaven
Pickleball has surged from a summer leisure activity to a global sensation, finding firm footing alongside sports like tennis and ping-pong. Long Island, particularly in Brookhaven, reflects this trend with the installation and expansion of pickleball courts at Centereach Park. Supervisor Dan Panico shows the sport’s popularity among residents, necessitating a doubling of court numbers and upgrades to meet demand. The origin story from Bainbridge Island, where it began in 1965, adds a charming backdrop to its rise. Pickleball’s growth is not just talked about but seen in action, with courts bustling from early morning, fulfilling community needs.
