- Soldiers Field House - 2 nets available for indoor use and 1 outdoor use
- McChord Main - Outdoor tennis/pickleball - 1 court with lines, 4 indoor courts
- McVeigh Fitness Center - Outdoor pickleball courts
- Soldiers Field House - Indoor pickleball court lines
- Wilson Fitness Center - Indoor pickleball court lines
History of Pickleball
Three friends. Extra crew team members. A dog. Some bored teenagers… and a badminton court on Bainbridge Island. What a mix! Put them together, and they’re all elements of the same origin story. The start of what has now become Washington state’s official state sport: Pickleball!
Truth be told, yes, the dog was named Pickles, but after the sport, not the other way around. The sport was actually named for those extra crew team members — the ones that didn’t get to race in the actual regatta races. They raced just for fun in their “pickle-boat” races, and are actually how the just-for-fun game got its name.
Pickleball has an interesting history for sure, but at present, all you really need to know is JBLM is your place to play.
Current Pickleball options - as of Jan. 17
Paddles and pickleballs are available for checkout at the above facilities.
Cost: Free, available to MWR-eligible patrons.
Upcoming events
Open Indoor Pickleball Tournament Jan. 24-25
Free! Open to DoD ID cardholders ages 18 and older.
Participant Meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. Soldiers Field House
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 15
Limited to the first 16 teams to submit complete packets.
Tournament: Jan. 24-25 McChord Fitness Center
Register through Intramural Sports: JBLMintramurals@army.mil | 253-967-6420
2170 Bitar Ave. inside Cowan Stadium
Coming soon
Several fitness centers have pickleball courts in the works. You’ll be able to practice, play and just have fun at these locations soon.
