Bill Hemmer explores pickleball’s origins in Fox Nation’s new season of ‘Meet the America’

Fox Nation’s “Meet the American” has launched its second season, with “America’s Newsroom” co-anchor Bill Hemmer taking viewers by means of fascinating tales of American exceptionalism.

Each episode highlights the people whose concepts, perseverance or improvements have left a permanent mark on American tradition — with a whole episode dedicated to pickleball. (See the video on the high of this text.)

Fox News’ Hemmer joins retired American sportswriter and columnist for The Detroit News, Mike O’Hara, to disclose the roots of the sport.

FOX NATION’S ‘MEET THE AMERICAN’ UNCOVERS SURPRISING ORIGINS BEHIND BELOVED AMERICAN TRADITIONS IN NEW SEASON

The two recount the lifetime of Joel M. Pritchard, the founding father of pickleball.  

Pritchard was a Seattle enterprise government, Washington state Republican legislator and father of 4.

Fox Nation’s second season of “Meet the American” options the pickleball story. (iStock)

He was additionally a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II.

One summer season day in 1965, at his house on Bainbridge Island, Washington, Pritchard was on the lookout for methods to entertain his youngsters.

His youngsters, alongside together with his buddy, Bill Bell, went to a neighborhood badminton courtroom. The males didn’t have correct tools for a badminton match however improvised.

It’s now the fastest-growing participation sport in America. 

Pritchard and Bell created a makeshift recreation on the badminton courtroom with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball.

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After their eventful afternoon, the lads shared the sport with their buddy Barney McCallum, refining the sport and creating guidelines.

Washington state Lt. Gov. Joel Pritchard, at left, and Secretary of the Senate Gordon Golob are proven in 1990. Pritchard is greatest recognized in the present day because the creator of pickleball, the fastest-growing participation sport in America.  (Washington State Legislature)

The sport “combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong,” says USA Pickleball, the game’s governing physique.

It’s “played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net … with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.”

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What started as a household enjoyable recreation is now the fastest-growing participation sport in America, in accordance with the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). 

What started as household enjoyable is now the fastest-growing participation sport in America. (The Washington Post by way of Getty Images)

Major League Pickleball was based in 2021 by entrepreneur Steve Kuhn. 

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The league has 22 groups with 16 premiers and 6 challengers.

Fox News Digital’s Taylor Penley contributed to this report.