Hyland's sponsors one of America's fastest-growing sports - pickleball

 

 

LOS ANGELES — Hyland's recently signed on as the lead sponsor behind what has become one of the fastest-growing sports in America — pickleball.  

 

Despite its namesake, pickles actually have very little to do with the relatively new sports craze, except perhaps the sour taste that's left in your mouth after losing a game or two. "It's like tennis," explained Hyland's EVP Les Hamilton. "It's a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong, and it's typically played in older communities."

 

Specifically, Hyland's sponsors the Pickleball Channel, an online-only media channel that features plenty of pickleball content. "[The] Pickleball Channel is powered by the wonderful support of our friends and partners, Hyland’s Leg Cramps. We are also connecting with ambassadors from the USAPA and various players across the country to bring you great pickleball content," the site stated. 

 

According to the USA Pickleball Association, there are now more than 100,000 players actively playing pickleball, with pickleball facilities existing in all 50 states. "Many kids and teenagers play it in physical education classes in middle and high schools, and seniors enjoy the social aspects and the ability to stay active in towns and retirement communities," the association stated.

 

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, the USAPA added. "Three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities are credited for creating the game. Pickleball has evolved from original hand-made equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the United States and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well with many European and Asian countries adding courts." 

 

There's some question behind the origin of the sports' name. Lore has it that the sport was named after the inventors' dog, Pickles, who would chase after errant wiffle balls. But family members of Pritchard report the name actually came from the rowing world — drawn either from a reference to the "pickle boat," the slowest vessel in a rowing race, or from another twist — where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats, according to Bow Valley Pickleball.