In a pickle

Area athletes are in a pickle—they need to play and they are willing to pay. USA Pickleball District Ambassador Don Beydler spoke out during the public comment section of the July 15 regular Hutchinson City Council meeting. During that time, he advocated for the more than 200 people who enjoy the sport so much that they have raised funds for their cause. They just need a place.

Pickleball is a racquet sport that blends aspects of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The game takes place on a court similar in size to badminton but uses a net positioned lower than standard tennis height. Players wield solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball that resembles a wiffle ball. The sport has gained popularity for its welcoming and community-oriented atmosphere, offering an approachable game that people across different ages and athletic abilities can enjoy together.

While there are places to play during the day, there are no available courts in the evenings for those who work, he said. His proposal was to have courts at the fairgrounds dedicated to all-day play. The group has the money to convert and surface the courts.

Beydler, at 74 years old, is retired from the Kansas Department of Transportation, but this isn't a hobby he picked up recently. He has been playing for nine years.

"I played quite a few tournaments, but the sport doesn't distinguish between age," he said with a laugh. "At 74, I could be going up against someone half my age. So I just play rec these days."

According to USA Pickleball, the sport was invented in summer 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Congressman Joel Pritchard and businessman Bill Bell improvised a game using ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball on an old badminton court. They were joined by Barney McCallum, and together they created the rules, designing it as a family-friendly sport that combined elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong.

"It's been around longer than people realize," Beydler said.

The sport gained structure with the first permanent court built in 1967, the first tournament in 1976, and the formation of the United States Amateur Pickleball Association in 1984. Key innovations included the first composite paddle made from airplane materials and the sport's expansion to all 50 states by 1990.

The growth of the sport cannot be understated. Court locations grew from 39 known places in 2003 to more than 1,500 courts by 2008. Player participation skyrocketed from 2 million in 2015 to 8.9 million by 2023. The sport gained professional tournaments, national television coverage, dedicated publications, and corporate partnerships. The organization rebranded from USAPA to USA Pickleball in 2020. Pickleball has been named America's fastest-growing sport for three consecutive years (2021-2023), with nearly 11,000 locations now listed on the Places2Play map. The sport continues expanding internationally with new clubs and governing bodies forming worldwide.

While there are a number of courts in the Hutchinson area, the vast majority of them are only open in the mornings. While there are courts at Hutchinson Community College for the later players, during the school year, those are being utilized by students, as the sport has a diverse following. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, the average pickleball player age is 34.8 years old.

"The age on it is variable," Beydler said. "It's not just for old people. I think the city doesn't know what pickleball is. They think it's for old people."

While retired players like Beydler may have the ability to play in the mornings, the average 30-something is working during the times the public-use courts are available. Next month, Beydler hopes to be added to the city council agenda with a proper presentation about getting pickleball courts established at the Fairgrounds Park.

"We actually approached this subject five years ago with the city-owned portion of the courts, but that didn't work out," he explained. "I'm hoping we get some movement on it this time."

The group is prepared to pay the cost for this venture that can be enjoyed by all.

"The whole pickleball game is social," he explained. "Pickleball is one of the only sports where you can pick up a paddle and start playing. You don't need lessons—you just play. It really is for everyone."