Pickleball: a sport usually designated for middle school physical education and backyard barbecues. Not anymore. The sport that got its start on Bainbridge Island is being played every Sunday at Poulsbo Middle School and anyone can join.

“A few months ago, my boss asked me if I wanted to open the gym on Sunday’s to play pickleball,” Melody Edja said. “We have been doing it consistently for about two-and-a-half months now.”

Edja is a former Poulsbo coach and is now a member of the Poulsbo Parks and Recreation Department.

Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island in 1965 when Joel Pritchard found his family to be bored one summer day. He, his family and his friends attempted to set up badminton, but no one could find the shuttlecock. Instead, they improvised with a Wiffle ball, lowered the badminton net, and made paddles out of plywood from a nearby shed.

Today, more than 400,000 pickleball players are registered with the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and compete in tournaments all across the country. There is even a national championship tournament played every November in Buckeye, Arizona.

“When I first came to open the gym, I learned the rules, and now teach them to all the newbies,” said Edja.

The group that meets every Sunday has ranged anywhere from five to 16 players. Edja said that some weeks they play with all three courts up and still have groups waiting to rotate in.

Games are played to 11, so when teams are waiting, it isn’t for long. Edja said the more people who come out, the more competitive and fun it gets.

“It’s been hard with the heat, but we are here every week,” Edja said.

Pickleball combines tennis action with table-tennis scoring. The rules are simple enough to catch on to.

Pickleball is most often played in the doubles format. Scoring and serving are the same as in badminton, with players serving until they lose the point and only servers winning points. However, pickleball serves must always be underhand and, unlike tennis, players only get one serve.

There are also some unusual rules in this sport, such as the “double bounce rule,” which requires both sides to let the ball bounce once before it is in play. There is also a no-volley zone, or “kitchen,” which is close to the net and as the name insinuates, one cannot volley while in the area.

Full rules and tournaments can be found at the USAPA website (www.usapa.org).

The USAPA was founded to promote pickleball on a national and international level. Along with the United States, there are branches in Canada and Spain.

Although the Poulsbo group mostly consists of 30-60 year olds, anyone is welcome to come play. It costs $3 to join, and equipment is provided.

“We’re trying to get the word out and get more people to come,” said Edja.

When you are looking for something to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon, head over to Poulsbo Middle School and see the hype about this sport that originated in our own backyard.