BETHLEHEM — Bethlehem Senior Projects is hosting its inaugural pickleball tournament on Oct. 5, showcasing the town's newly constructed pickleball courts while raising funds for services and transportation for the town’s elderly residents.

More than 150 players will compete at the Elm Avenue Park courts.

The game was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington state when Joel Prtichard’s kids were told to make up their own game.

“The name of the game became Pickle Ball after I said it reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats,” Pritchards’s wife, Joan, told The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. 

That’s because leftover equipment from several sports was used to create the game: a wiffle ball, table-tennis paddles, and a badminton court with a net at the height used for tennis.

The sports popularity — the Sports and Fitness Industry Association named it the country’s fastest-growing sport several years in a row — grew by leaps and bounds and now 9 million people in the United States play pickleball.

All proceeds from the Bethlehem tournament will benefit the Bethlehem Senior Services Department, for:

— Promoting aging in place by purchasing a new handicap-accessible van to add to the fleet of cars and vans that volunteers use to drive seniors to chemo/radiation and medical appointments, grocery stores, hair appointments, and social events;

— Reducing social isolation by funding social and educational programs and events for seniors; and

— Reducing food insecurity for all Bethlehem residents by financially supporting the Bethlehem Food Pantry

The tournament has various skill levels, from novice to advanced, and games will be played from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct 5.

Pickleball lessons are being offered from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. for $5 per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Paddles and balls will be provided.

Cathleen Crowley Denbeaux, the tournament director from Pickleball518, will oversee the event.

The rain date for the event is Sunday, Oct. 6. 

Local businesses and individuals are encouraged to support the tournament through sponsorships and donations. Interested parties can find more information on the Bethlehem Senior Projects website: https://www.bethlehemseniorproject.org/; the site can also be used for players’ registration. 

— Melissa Hale-Spencer