Roundup Pickleball Club Receives Special Training

Pickleball is one of America’s fastest-growing sports, according to USA Pickleball Association. Invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, it began as a way to entertain family and friends. Fueled by complaints of “nothing to do” from younger members of the family, Joel Prichard, Washington State Congressman, with neighbor Bill Bell and later Barney McCallum encouraged youngsters to see what they could find around the neighborhood. Leftover sports equipment like ping-pong paddles, badminton net, old badminton court, and a light-weight ball penetrated by holes, came from various locations. By trial and error, the game came into being gradually, first in their community, locally, then becoming popular state-wide and in the Northwest region before spreading like wildfire across the country and around the world.

Pickleball has now arrived in Roundup. One year after their first professional instruction in pickleball at the Billings YMCA, the Roundup Pickleball Club just last month received a special training session, this time at the Roundup Community Center. Larry Seekins, instructor at the Y, drove to Roundup Tuesday morning (icy roads, near-zero ) to teach and refresh players on skills and rules of the game. A result of Seekin’s early interest in the growth of pickleball in Roundup was a 2nd Place medal won by two Roundup players at the Big Sky State Games this past summer. Enthusiastic players take part in recreational play as well as some intense competitive games.

The arrival of pickleball in Roundup is no fluke. Begun by just a few persistent people in late 2017, it has now increased to almost a dozen regular as well as off-and-on players. Community organizations, like Roundup City Council and the Community Center, have stepped up and supported the need for court-space appropriately marked for the game. By such efforts, they make it possible for Roundup to experience pickleball. It is intergenerational, great for families. It is simple to learn; fun to play; improves health; and builds relationships. Our schedule at the Community Center is Tuesday, 8:30am; Wednesday, 9:00am. For those employed, we set aside Thursday, 6:30pm. Learn. Have fun. Join us.