Nobody quite knows why pickleball is called pickleball.

The sport — a cross between ping pong, badminton, and tennis — was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, by Joel Pritchard, who later served in the U.S. Congress and as Washington’s lieutenant governor. There’s two theories as to the name: the first one is that it comes from the “pickle boats” pervasive to local rowing competitions in that area; others insist the name “pickleball” was derived from the name of the Pritchard’s family dog, Pickles.

Whatever its origins, the sport continues to soar in popularity.

“Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America,” said Brandon Mackie, co-founder of Pickleheads who cited the latest report by the Professional Pickleball Association estimating 36.5 million people played last year. “That makes pickleball one of the most popular sports in the country by participation — nearly twice the size of tennis, and just shy of popular activities like running and cycling.”

The basic aim of pickleball, like with other racket sports, is to hit the ball over the net and prevent an opponent from hitting it back. Points can only be accrued by the side that’s serving, and the winner is the first side to get to 11 points and be leading by at least two.

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20-by-44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net, referred to as the “kitchen.”

This “kitchen” is what gives pickleball much of its distinctiveness. It minimizes running, allowing older players to be just as competitive as younger, fitter players and diminishes the role of power so that children can play alongside adults.

“It’s a sport played with an abbreviated racquetball racket and a wiffle ball,” said Beth Rist, facility manager at Enos Derbonne Sports Complex. “The wiffle ball is plastic and it has holes in it so it moves a lot slower than a racquetball or tennis ball, per se.”

Rist said the game is played on an abbreviated tennis court with smaller boundaries.

“It’s wonderful for middle-aged or older-aged adults, especially those of us who played a racquet sport before,” Rist said. “I was a diehard racquetball fan in the 80s and 90s and then it kind of died out. I played tennis, too, but that’s really hard on my joints.”

She said pickleball is a tremendous cardio sport for older adults — and is picking up steam with younger generations, as well.

ScienceDirect researchers recently found that compared to walking at a self-selected pace for half an hour, people who played doubles pickleball for half an hour had 14 percent higher heart rates and burned 36 percent more calories. Another study from Western Colorado University found that “picklers” averaged a heart rate of 109 beats per minute and burned 354 calories per hour, which qualifies it as a moderate-intensity workout alongside hiking, yoga and water aerobics. The players also saw significant improvements in their cholesterol levels, blood pressure and maximal oxygen uptake, a measure of cardiovascular fitness, after playing for an hour every other day for six weeks.

Plus, regular practice can help improve balance.

At Enos Derbonne — which has three inside courts — Rist is generally seeing players ages 50 and up —and one 82-year-old. At this facility, the game is offered 1-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

“Those hours will expand once our kids’ basketball league ends, which is winding down now,” Rist said. “We’ll also be adding time on Saturdays, too.”

She said the Power Centre Sports Complex — which, like Enos Debronne, is part of Ward 3 Recreation — also has two courts and offers the sport on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

That means pickleball opportunities in Lake Charles abound throughout the week.

Pickleball has been offered at both complexes since October and Rist said Enos Derbonne sees about 25 players consistently each day — which brings her much joy.

“I love it and I love the group, they’re all peers,” Rist said. “I’m about to be in my 60s and I’m a racquet sport player so I love seeing our gym busy. It’s a great group and a growing sport.”

Mackie said pickleball is a social activity as much as it’s a sport, fostering a sense of community among players.

“It’s commonly played in an open-play format where players show up and rotate games and partners,” he said. “You also almost always play pickleball as doubles, which leaves many opportunities to socialize and meet players.”

Mackie said there’s a reason so many players get hooked on this sport — it’s easy to learn, but hard to master.

“Beginners can go out their first time, learn the game, have fun, and even win a few games. But advanced players stay challenged, and keep coming back for more,” he said. “This dynamic is a big reason why pickleball continues to grow like crazy.”