Pickleball club swings into Mineral County

After playing golf one Saturday during the summer of 1965, Joel Pritchard, congressman from Washington State, and Bill Bell, a successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island near Seattle to find their families sitting around with nothing to do. 

The property had an old badminton court, so Pritchard and Bell looked for some badminton equipment and could not find a full set of rackets. They improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. 

At first, they placed the net at badminton height of 60 inches and volleyed the ball over the net. As the weekend progressed, the players found that the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and soon the net was lowered to 36 inches. 

The following weekend, Barney McCallum was introduced to the game at Pritchard’s home. Soon, the three men created rules, relying heavily on badminton. They kept in mind the original purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together. The first permanent pickleball court was constructed in the backyard of Joel Pritchard and in 1972, a corporation was formed to protect the creation of this new sport.

Pickleball has now made it 359 miles east into Mineral County. 

Sanders County has had organized pickleball for some time. Plains Pickleball Players are at the Alliance Church on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 11. Also, on Tuesday afternoon from 4 to 6 and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8. They have the facility on Saturdays if players care to book a time. 

The Mineral County Rec Club recently held a class and they are offering another one to see if there is enough interest to organize the game to the next level.  

“In 2023, I started to go to Plains to play pickleball. It was fun exercise and indoors for the winter,” explained Marianne Bell, who is the local instructor and coach. “Then in 2024, I wanted to get pickleball started in Superior, so Stephanie Quick and I went to the Mineral County Rec Club to ask for help. We needed the equipment purchased. They agreed immediately to help grow the sport in Superior.” 

Bell’s first class was in the Superior Elementary School gymnasium Sunday, January 5th where about half a dozen people attended to see what this was all about. “I want to see what kind of turn out I get and then in February it could be every Sunday. I'm hoping to run it throughout the year, both indoors and outdoors,” she said. 

Bell starts the class with gentle group stretching and a brisk walk around the gymnasium so that joints are limbered up. She explains the game in short bites not to overwhelm the participants because what she wants to have everyone serving and volleying with the provided equipment to see if it’s something they want to pursue. 

“Right now, the school is letting me utilize the gym for winter on Sundays. Then in July we are hoping I will be a part of the Adult Education program. (Superior School Superintendent) Logan Labbe is hoping I will do this year-round.” 

Bell also gives credit to the Plains Pickleball Association (Kelly, Mellisa and Audrey) for driving over to help her tape the floor in the school gym. The next class is Sunday afternoon, Jan. 19 from 3 to 5 at the Superior Elementary Gymnasium, 1003 5th Avenue E. Call Marianne Bell 406-303-0649 for more information.