Foley's fastest-growing sport
By Linda Williford
Pickleball is a new sport that is a combination of badminton, tennis, and ping pong. It uses a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high net. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, this sport is the fastest-growing in the United States. In 2024, it was estimated there were 19.8 million participants in the United States, a 311% growth since 2021. It's a sport for all ages but is very popular with middle-aged and older adults because it is low impact and is easy on the joints.
The game was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at Joel Pritchard's summer home as a children's backyard game. Pritchard later served in the United States Congress and as Washington's lieutenant governor. Pritchard and his two friends, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell, are credited with devising the game and establishing the rules. In 2021, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington.
"I love, love, love it!" says Rayma Mullenix, a local pickleball player in Foley. "I was introduced to the sport when I moved to the Grove Community, and I fell in love with it. I'm very competitive, and I love the competition." Rayma was a long-time tennis player before pickleball. "This sport is easier on my body," she said. Rayma has been playing pickleball for 2 years.
With pickleball being so popular, there is a need for more facilities and locations for the sport. The City of Foley Leisure Services Executive Director, David Thompson said, "There is an outdoor pickleball facility being built behind the Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermen's Market. It is tentatively slated to open in June." This facility will be home to 12 courts and will be an open-play style recreational facility. The courts will be first come, first served.
The Foley Event Center currently has a tournament scheduled for August. The Foley Sports Tourism website will provide more information in the coming weeks.
There are also indoor pickleball courts available and open to the public. The Bama Beach Pickleball Club has listed on its website places to play and upcoming tournaments. They host tournaments at the Foley Event Center periodically and also have classes for pickleball beginners. Go to bamabeachpickleballclub.net for more information. OWA has indoor facilities as well and hosts tournaments. More information is at pickleballatowa.com.
Del Key, an avid pickleball player, plays more for recreation and health benefits than competition. He said, "I play for exercise." He has 50 years of experience in tennis. When he moved to Foley, he was looking for tennis players but instead found pickleball players in his community. He says, "To learn and get good at pickleball, it generally takes about 3 to 4 weeks, as opposed to tennis which takes about 2 to 3 years."
According to health experts, pickleball is a full-body cardiovascular workout that burns calories for weight control and improves flexibility. Researchers at Utah State University discovered that a six-week pickleball course not only improved health outcomes but also improved cognition, which is critical for functional independence, especially as one ages.
