Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular in the Chicago area, with at least 4.6 million people playing nationwide. On National Pickleball Day, CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports on how fans in the area are enjoying the sport with their families and making new friends.
With at least 4.6 million people playing nationwide, it's now considered the fastest-growing sport in America.CBS 2's Marissa Perlman has more from Riverwoods on how the Chicago area is getting in on the action but for some, every day is National Pickleball Day.
Over a casual game, coach Bruce Geary, a tennis guy-turned-pickleball-pro, shares why the sport, a fusion of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is growing so quickly.For Mike Keur, at 67, it keeps him active and social.Or Arlene Vizconde of Morton Grove, who got into the game to bond with her son:CBS 2's Brad Edwards took a spin at the sport in the studio last year, bringing the game indoors, so CBS 2 could take a smack at the pickleball craze. Pickleball's popularity comes alive during Chicago summers. Coach Geary said the demand is so high that you'll be hard-pressed to find an open court. By next year it's probably going to expand even more. So much one of his clients built a court in his backyard. And Chicago has been racing to build more courts amid zoning battles to keep up with demand. The Chicago Park District has plans to build 50 courts by 2025."So you can have fun with the game right away, so that draws a lot of people in," Geary said."You could be playing with an 84-year-old, a 10-year-old, and a 20-year-old and me, 46 years old," Geary said. If you want to try it out, an all-day pickleball clinic and tournament is happening this summer in Maggie Daley Park on August 20th, starting at 9:00 a.m.
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