Site last updated: Sunday, July 26, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Pickleball players increasing in Butler

Brenda Pyle of Butler eyes up a return during a pickle ball game at Ritts Park in ButleR.,

Jackie Bullman had a vision.

The East Brady resident shared it with friends Liz Archambault and Brenda Pyle, both of Butler. The vision was pickleball. And it's grown into a phenomenon in the city and beyond.

“I spend part of the year in Florida and got into playing pickleball down there,” Bullman, 62, said. “It's amazing how popular it is, and it's such a basic game.

The pickleball movement began in April 2019 with a handful of players. The contingent grew by word of mouth.

Pickleball is played with a wooden or fiberglass paddle, a whiffleball and a net much smaller than a regular tennis net. Singles or doubles matches can go on, and the playing surface is a quarter the size of a tennis court.

This is an excerpt of a story appearing in Sunday's Butler Eagle.

More in Digital Media Exclusive

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS