TOLEDO, Ohio — It's been around since 1965 and is the fastest-growing sport in the world.
Pickleball was created by two men outside of Seattle to just pass the time. During the 2020 global pandemic, many were looking to do the same.
“I didn’t even know it existed," said avid pickleball player Mike Black. "And once COVID happened and there was more opportunity to try to find other things to do, I think it got exposed and then people also found that it was fun and could have some success with a sport that is a lifelong sport."
"Never underestimate somebody in pickleball."
Jim Bronson is a former racketball player who recently made the switch to pickle. Since the switch, he has earned the title of senior professional pickleball player.
“It’s a sport anyone can play," he said. "You can have no athletic background and you can at least get the ball back and forth."
He added that in this game, you can get beat by people that you may not expect to get beat by.
"Never underestimate somebody in pickleball," he said.
The simplicity of the sport sparked a demand that left people coming up with ways to play on their own.
The pickleball phenomenon
Black's family has a barn that they used to play tennis in. But with the resurgence of this phenomenon, they adapted to the change.
"We converted our tennis court into two pickleball courts and we have major tournaments that happen in our barn on Mondays and Thursdays," he said "We have the best players from northwest Ohio come out and play."
Leslie Gill is one of the players that participate in Black's tournaments and has been playing for eight years. But before she found the barn, she had to improvise on her own.
"I actually put a portable net in my backyard, like on a basketball court," she said. "So I only had the kitchen area, but just for something to do because you couldn’t go anywhere.”
As time went on, others started catching on to the benefits of the activity beyond the court.
Best in class
Black is a physical education teacher at Monclova Primary and often sees his students out playing pickleball, applying what he teaches in class.
“Kids can get out, do something active and also be social with one another and that’s something that I’ve enjoyed seeing," he said. "Kids getting out of the house, not necessarily playing video games, doing something productive with their time.”
Bronson said he always sees kids in his Sylvania neighborhood playing pickleball in the park as well.
“If you want to start playing pickleball, just show up to a park and someone will loan you a paddle. That’s how easy it is and that’s how a lot of people get started," he said. "The problem around here is the indoor courts, but now we get to play downtown."
Coming soon: Toledo Pickle
Indoor courts have been opening in places like Perrysburg, Rossford Recreation Center, and even a proposed Paddle Dome in Monclova.
But one that will be set in stone by mid-December will be right in the heart of Toledo.
Brian Epstein is the managing member for Toledo Pickle LLC. The Toledo Pickle entertainment venue is part of the Glass City Riverwalk plans.
“We started a few years ago this concept of bringing this family entertainment piece which involves pickleball, but also involves restaurants and bars," he said. "We really wanted to bring something that the whole family can enjoy."
The project is a team-up with Metroparks Toledo to bring the pickleball attraction to the riverfront and expand access to the entire community, regardless of age or ability.
"We want to help bring kids down here," Epstein said. "So we’re already working on programs to bring children, underprivileged children, to teach them pickleball and provide them lunch, provide them paddles, and get them understanding how the sports and the athletics and health and wellness help build up."
Gill said she also plays the sport in Michigan, so she especially looks forward to not having to commute far to play.
“Right now there’s a place in Ann Arbor that I go to, Wolverine Pickleball, and I have to travel 45 minutes to play in the wintertime because we have nothing," she said. “So I’m super excited about the Toledo Pickle coming to the downtown area."
Perfect pickleball partners
Except it does not matter where or how you play, but who you decide to pass the time with.
“My son is an avid pickleball player, he really likes it a lot," Black said. "I found great enjoyment in being able to find a sport where he and I can actually be able to compete and play together and have quality time together."
A game bridging generations and picking up steam. A wide appeal is one of the reasons pickleball is becoming a big "dill" in Toledo and beyond.
"A 7-year-old or an 87-year-old could play this sport," Black said. "And you couldn’t say that about most sports.”