How Pickleball Can Help Bring Our Country Together

"All I have I would have given gladly not to be standing here today."

The unthinkable had just taken place. Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a somber Congress in late November 1963, having just inherited the role of Commander-In-Chief. Just five days earlier, President John F. Kennedy was tragically murdered.

The gravity of the Kennedy assassination would usher in a new age for many. A new cynicism in our country would emerge. The ideals and optimism that often characterized the belief of this great nation would begin to erode. As many would say, this event was the mark of a "loss of innocence" for America, as political instability and violence were now top-of-mind when previously considered unthinkable.

Out of the tragedy, Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat) would gain bipartisan support, going on to win the 1964 presidential election in a landslide.

Yet, in the midst of this growing national uncertainty, an innocent game would be invented by a Republican politician on the other side of the country.

Joel Pritchard (Republican) had just won re-election to the Washington House of Representatives in 1964, a seat he would win again before eventually making it to the U.S. House of Representatives and even becoming Lieutenant Governor of Washington.

As legend would have it, in the summer of 1965 after a day of golfing (plus some ensuing boredom at home from his teenager), Joel rummaged together the elements of what would go on to become the fastest growing sport in the nation today.

A simple joy born amidst sobering concerns.

Summer days in the northern reaches of Bainbridge Island, Washington, can be long — reaching 16 hours. Rather than allowing worry regarding the state of the nation rob him of peace, Joel (along with his friends and family) chose to press into the enjoyment and camaraderie that many of us have been enthralled with today.

From an outsider's perspective, Joel Pritchard and Lyndon B. Johnson are a stark clash of styles:

• LBJ was born into poverty in rural Texas. Joel, born into a prominent family from Seattle.
• Johnson pursued campaigns on Civil Rights, international policies and war, as well as the "Space Race." Pritchard's most recognized achievements revolve around environmental conservation, outdoor recreation (surprise, surprise), and the creation of the North Cascades National Park.
• In their legislative work, Johnson developed a reputation for persuasiveness and even at times intimidation to gain support in his ambitious agendas. Pritchard leveraged collaboration and pragmatism to earn bipartisan support.

Outside of political careers, it would seem that they had no common ground, though one common denominator between the two remained. Their fondness of sport.

It is well documented that Lyndon liked to hit the links. Personally, I'd like to think that the time on the golf course afforded Pritchard the clarity of mind he needed to develop the prototype for pickleball on that fateful summer day.

While a lot has changed in the world since the 1960s, the threats to peace in our nation (and nations abroad) persist. The polarization of our political landscape continues to grow with the impending Biden vs. Trump election rematch (plus another Kennedy throwback).

As the gulf grows between people and the values that each of us hold — what can bridge the divide?

Over the past couple of years, pundits and publications alike are suggesting that pickleball may well be the answer (CNN, Chicago Tribune, The New Yorker, for example).

Pickleball has even become a weekly staple for bipartisan senators in the nation's capital, as featured recently by NPR.

"It's kind of hard to treat people in an untoward way if you've been out on the pickleball court, on a mountain bike trail, spent time with them … we need more of that." Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

Pickleball has now swept the nation. It has been played at the National Mall, on Wall Street, and in communities throughout the country. According to CBS Sports, pickleball is now one of the most-participated-in sports in America, a testament to how broadly it has taken hold.

Take this as your friendly reminder that during this election season, even though you may disagree with someone else’s beliefs, you can all equally find peace on the pickleball courts.

Pickleball is the great equalizer. A unicorn-of-a-sport that has the ability to gather players of all demographics, personalities, and abilities. The pickleball community has a unique power: though we tend to gravitate towards people within our comfort zones of familiarity, pickleball brings people together in unprecedented ways.

While our personal differences have always been present, common ground for all individuals has always been there. It persists even under the most intense division our nation has seen. And as Sports Illustrated has reported, the sport's social nature — the mixed doubles format, the kitchen line conversations, the open play rotations — creates organic human connection unlike almost any other sport.

When John F. Kennedy made his inaugural address in 1961, he famously quoted:

"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."

Take this as your friendly reminder that during this election season, even though you may disagree with someone else's beliefs, you can all equally find peace on the pickleball courts.

At least that's the way I believe Joel Pritchard felt.

Thoughts on Politics, Peace, Pickleball? What are you seeing in your communities?

Find me on X or Instagram or e-mail me at Johnny5pointOHpb@gmail.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented pickleball and what was his political background?

Pickleball was invented by Joel Pritchard, a Republican politician from Washington State, in the summer of 1965. Pritchard had just won re-election to the Washington House of Representatives and is also credited with helping create the North Cascades National Park. The sport was born on Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a simple backyard game to cure summertime boredom — and it grew into a global phenomenon.

Why is pickleball considered good for community building?

Pickleball is uniquely social by design. The compact court size means players are always close together, conversation happens naturally, and the open-play rotation system regularly puts strangers side by side. Unlike tennis or golf — sports that can feel exclusive — pickleball is easy to learn, inexpensive to play, and openly welcoming to players of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. That combination creates genuine connection in a way few sports can match.

Are politicians actually playing pickleball together?

Yes — and it's bipartisan. As reported by NPR, pickleball has become a regular activity among U.S. senators from both parties in Washington, D.C. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has been vocal about the sport's ability to create goodwill across the aisle, saying it's "kind of hard to treat people in an untoward way" after sharing a court. The pickleball community in the capital has become a rare example of cross-party camaraderie.

How fast is pickleball growing in the United States?

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, with millions of players added over the past several years. Courts are being built in parks, YMCAs, retirement communities, schools, and luxury real estate developments across the country. The sport has gone from a backyard novelty to a cultural movement, with professional leagues, celebrity players, and mainstream media coverage cementing its place in American sports culture.

Can pickleball really help reduce political polarization?

There's real evidence to suggest it can. Multiple major publications — including CNN, The New Yorker, and the Chicago Tribune — have explored how pickleball fosters connection across political and social divides. When you're competing side by side with someone, the walls come down. The benefits of pickleball extend well beyond physical fitness — the mental health lift, the social bonds, and the shared joy of play are proving to be genuinely unifying forces in communities across the country.