As it turns out, you can get yourself in a real ‘pickle’ in Albion.
A pickleball game that is.
Although many might not have heard about pickleball yet – or, if they have, not know much about it – it is billed as one of the fastest growing games in the country.
Area residents of all ages and ability can join the fun at the Albion Sports Complex. When new tennis and basketball courts were built, the city added a pickleball size court adjacent to the tennis courts. So, if you thought the small court was just for, say, child or midget tennis, it has its own unique purpose.
Origins
It turns out pickleball has actually been around for a while. The game was created in 1965 at a home on Bainbridge Island (near Seattle) by three families sitting around with nothing to do. The property had an old badminton court, but not equipment, so they improvised and began playing with ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball (wiffle ball). Initially, they placed the net at badminton height (60 inches) and volleyed over the net. Through the weekend, they found the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and soon placed the net at 36 inches. Not long after that weekend, the men created rules, relying heavily on badminton and keeping in mind the original purpose of providing a game the entire family could play together.
Pickleball has evolved from there.
Further details and game rules in Print & Online editions of Albion News/Boone County Tribune
