SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 9 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2023 by Mike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net As more people show interest in a nearly 60-year-old sport, local tourism, business and sports officials want to capitalize on its increasing popularity. Pickleball, which originated in 1965, is an indoor or outdoor racquet activity that combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong, according to the USA Pickleball Association, which governs the sport. It can be played in nearly two dozen venues in the Ozarks – a number which local participants say is on the rise. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, 8.9 million people over the age of 6 played pickleball across the United States in 2022. That total – approaching double the 4.8 million the organization reported participating in 2021 – is up roughly 157% since 2019. The USA Pickleball Association’s Places2Play online database noted at the end of 2022 there were 10,724 known locations and 44,094 courts to play in the U.S. That’s an increase of 1,557 locations from 2021. There are myriad reasons for the sport’s growth, said Matt Battaglia, president of the Ozarks Pickleball Club. The organization, which became a 501(c)(3) in 2021, loosely started as a Facebook group in 2005, he said. “One, it has a real low barrier to entry. Almost anyone can pick up a paddle and a ball, and as long as you have a net somewhere, you can play,” he said. “It’s one of those rare sports that a lot of different people can play together.” Much like other outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as hiking and biking, Battaglia said pickleball attracted an increasing amount of interest. The online group, which began to communicate with other players, has surpassed 2,600 members, he said. However, he added there’s no official membership total for the club, as it doesn’t collect fees. “We formed the club to centralize and organize all the players and get everybody together, as well as get the word out and organize events,” he said, noting the free monthly social events typically draw 100-125 people. The club also organizes several tournaments a year in Springfield, with venues including Meador Park, Cooper Tennis Complex and Gillenwater Tennis Complex. Participants pay to compete, Battaglia said. “We’re running tournaments with easily over 200-300 people every single time,” he said. “The growth has been very much evident in everything we do.” Tournament time One of those tournaments, the Queen City Open, debuted last year at the Cooper Tennis SPORTS & BUSINESS Passion for Pickleball HEATHER MOSLEY Clockwise from left, Susan Miller, Becky and Mike Logan, and Jayne Browne play a pickleball match at Classic’s Yard, which opened last month. MORE PHOTOS AT SBJ.NET Matt Battaglia: Local pickleball club draws hundreds to its tournaments. Springfield looks to boost interest to the rapidly growing sport See PICKLEBALL on page 17 8.9M People who played pickleball in the U.S. last year
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