Pickleball Pioneer Steve Paranto Entertains and Inspires Through 5 Decades in the Sport
When the history of pickleball is written, Steve Paranto will undoubtedly be recognized as one of the pioneering figures who helped shape and grow the sport in its early decades. Now age 64, Paranto discovered pickleball as a community college freshman days after its invention in 1965. Nearly 50 years later, he continues impacting the game through competitive play, coaching, ambassadorship, podcast interviews with the sport's biggest names, and much more.
#1. Webby Introduces Steve Paranto to the Show [4:42]
On a recent episode of The Eddie and Webby Show podcast hosted by pickleball enthusiasts Eddie Barraco and Daniel "Webby" Webb, the duo welcomed the multi-talented Paranto as their guest for a fun, wide-ranging conversation. Paranto connected remotely from his Portland, Oregon home studio, with Eddie and Webby beaming in from different locations in Paranto's former home state of Michigan. The three cracked open some local craft beers to toast the occasion and settle in for nearly two hours reminiscing about Paranto's decades of pickleball adventures, insights and innovations.
#2. Everybody Reveals Their Beer of Choice for the Evening [5:33]
In the spirit of sharing pickleball with good company and good cheer, Paranto, Eddie and Webby each introduced the brew selected for this special podcast recording. Paranto sipped one of his own homebrews - a light "Pickleball Lite" session ale ideal for active play without overdoing it. Eddie sampled Short's Brewing's M.I.P.A., while Webby opted for a Detroit Double IPA bomber from Founders Brewing. The beers perfectly primed the podcast panel for a laidback and lively discussion befitting the casual, social nature of pickleball itself.
#3. How Did Steve First Get Involved in Pickleball? [9:40]
Paranto immediately credited pickleball for enriching his life over parts of six decades and counting. He first discovered the fledgling sport as a college student in September 1974, when pickleball co-inventors Bill Bell and Barney McCallum promoted the game McCallum originally improvised in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. As a member of the tennis team at Green River Community College near Seattle, Paranto saw pickleball as an ideal active diversion when professors went on strike, declaring the new sport "love at first sight." He and a tennis teammate started playing pickleball daily during the strike, honing skills that soon made them competitive at events organized by pickleball's founders.
#4. Steve Shows Us a Pickleball Tournament Trophy He Won in 1975 [13:07]
To illustrate his early adoption and immediate aptitude for pickleball, Paranto displayed a trophy from 1975, just one year after first picking up a paddle. He earned the singles title at a recreational tournament at Green River Community College, proving himself one of pickleball's quick studies and rising young talents. Paranto noted the victory was especially satisfying because it meant besting his perennial tennis and pickleball doubles partner Dave Lester, whom Paranto described as an athletic phenom and formidable foe.
#5. Video Clip of Steve Playing in a Pickleball Tournament in the Early 80's [14:05]
Beyond tangible memorabilia like the trophy, Paranto also shared rare archival footage preserving his early pickleball exploits. Webby located a grainy VHS clip from 1983 capturing a thirty-something Paranto's quickness and fearless net play, which looked sharp despite the now-outdated gear of short shorts and wood paddles. The video offered a fascinating window into pickleball's primitive past, when indoor play on carpet was still common and open net volleying prevailed over the modern precision dinking game.
#6. Epic Picture of Steve Playing Pickleball in 1984 with One of the Very First Composite Pickleball Paddles [16:50]
Paranto then displayed a 1984 photo of himself playing doubles on July 4th at his parents' lake house, an annual tradition. His paddle in the image was one of the very first composite models created by his innovative father, who invented the game-changing Pro-Lite paddle after Paranto complained of wooden paddles' excessive weight. The revolutionary composite technology earned Paranto's father induction into the USA Pickleball Association Hall of Fame for profoundly affecting paddle design and pickleball at large. Paranto now preserves one of those landmark original composite prototypes in his pickleball memorabilia collection.
#7. Social Media Question: What is Steve's Current Favorite Paddle to Use? [19:32]
When asked on social media what his paddle preference is today, Paranto singled out the Encore Outdoor Ovation Widebody paddle for its unmatched control. With its unique surface texture, the Ovation enables Paranto to optimize his touch-centric playing style focused on clever dinking. He also incorporates two other Encore models geared towards singles and doubles play respectively. But the Ovation Widebody feels best tailored to Paranto's strategic emphasis on spin, placement and Consistency over power.
#8. Steve Shows Us the World's First Composite Pickleball Paddle [23:03]
While Paranto's own tastes now lean towards Encore's offerings, he proudly retains one of his late father's aforementioned revolutionary Pro-Lite paddles that ushered in the composite era. The homemade paddle fashioned from scraps of Boeing airplane flooring represented a quantum leap past the hefty wooden predecessors prone to warping and cracking. Though crude by modern standards, Paranto's dad's composite pickles effectively launched space-age paddle technology still underlying today's models some 40 years later.
#9. Question from Scott Golden: Does Steve enjoy rec games more now or tournaments? [24:31]
Fellow pickleball luminary Scott Golden inquired on social media whether Paranto prefers competing in tournaments or simply playing recreationally nowadays. Paranto acknowledged he cherishes both for different reasons. Tournaments fuel his competitive drive and represent the pinnacle of focused intensity. But recreational play provides more opportunities to organically mentor others while also honing skills through experimentation. Ultimately Paranto advocated striking the right balance by regularly enjoying both tournament pressure and rec fun.
#10. Question from Social Media: What Does Steve See for the Sport 10 Years from Now? [25:53]
When asked about his vision for pickleball's future, Paranto foresees massive growth ahead. He projected sanctioned high school play, a credible Olympics bid, thousands more public courts and private clubs, plus appreciation from an exponentially expanding player base in just 10 years. Paranto believes pickleball is well on its way to mainstream status as enthusiasts evangelize and facilities proliferate. But he cautioned infrastructure must keep pace through adequate court construction, or frustrated prospective players risk abandonment.
#11. What are the Biggest Changes Steve Has Seen in Pickleball Throughout the Years? [26:59]
Having competed at pickleball's highest levels across five decades, Paranto detailed dramatic evolution even just during his own experience. Most prominently, strategic dinking skills now far exceed 1980s norms. From anywhere on the court, today's top players hit precise dinks confounding unschooled opponents of Paranto's era. Other seismic shifts encompass aggressive net play, movement efficiency and technical prowess. Paranto continues adapting his own competitive strategies and skills to counter rising talent and keep pace with pickleball's breakneck progress.
#12. Video Clip of Steve Performing a Pickleball Song Parody at a Party [30:29]
Beyond playing insights, Paranto entertained the podcast audience by reprising some greatest hits from his side hobby as a musical pickleball parody performer. He first rolled tape of a comedic song about elite player Mark Friedenberg he originally sang at a social gathering to honor his fellow Hall of Famer. Paranto uses music and humor to bond with fellow picklers during medal ceremonies and parties.
#13. Steve Performs a LIVE Song Parody for Us [32:41]
Paranto then unveiled his showmanship and musical talents by serenading the podcast hosts with an original composition on the spot. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, Paranto debuted a tune humorously recounting the scene at last year's medal presentation dinner. Attendees received both laughs and heartfelt moments from Paranto's live act. He changes lyrics annually to keep the material fresh.
#14. Video of Steve Performing Another Song Parody Along with Wes Playing the Keyboard [36:27]
Next Paranto presented another musical moment from the archives, this time with collaborator Wes Gabrielsen backing him on keys. A respected high school history teacher and coach, multi-sport standout Gabrielsen accompanied Paranto's comedic sendup inspired by Gabrielsen's alter ego performer "Rusty Ricket." ParantoEstimated he and Gabrielsen have teamed up for around 30 different parody performances entertaining pickleball crowds over the years.
#15. Steve Talks About Entertaining at Various Events [37:45]
Beyond the medal ceremonies, Paranto also leverages his talents at charity events and private parties for pickleball friends. He has even performed his family-friendly pickleball act for schools and libraries when not doing occasional adults-only shows at local bars. Paranto sees tremendous value in spreading cheer through music and laughter, so he volunteers his time enthusiastically.
#16. Steve Does a Live Ventriloquist Act for Us [40:14]
Pickling legend Grandpa Clarence Nelson "appeared" on the podcast as one of Paranto's several puppet personas. In staying true to his mischievous reputation, Grandpa Nelson suggested some inappropriate pickleball strategies before a flustered Paranto interceded to cut him off. Paranto also creates puppet shows for kids teaching good sportsmanship. His whimsical ventriloquist skills add another dimension to his impressive credentials as an entertainer.
#17. Steve Tells Us About His History with Timothy Nelson (AKA Puppet Master) [43:58]
Paranto fondly recalled first encountering Timothy Nelson, known as "Puppet Master," when Nelson was still a young upstart and unknown commodity. They formed an immediate bond despite the vast difference in age and experience. Now Paranto gladly invites Nelson to stay at his home when they attend the same tournaments in the Pacific Northwest. He takes immense pride in Nelson's evolution into an elite player.
#18. The Rapid Rise of Pickleball
Like its most devout disciples, pickleball has skyrocketed from humble beginnings to mainstream prominence at an astonishing clip. The pastime made up in 1965 has become one of America's fastest-growing sports, with nearly 5 million USA Pickleball Association members as of 2022. Media coverage, professional tournaments, celebrity investments and glowing testimonials have all boosted pickleball's credibility and popularity.
#19. Mainstream Momentum
Once dismissed as a diversion solely for seniors, pickleball now holds widespread appeal across age groups. Kids, parents and grandparents regularly face off in earnest mixed-generation competition. This rare inclusive quality fuels pickleball's expansion, as does the convenience of portable equipment facilitating play in driveways and recreation centers alike. Pickleball's perfect storm of accessibility and legitimacy cements its status as more than just a fad.
#20. Why Pickleball? Why Now?
Several factors explain pickleball's meteoric cultural rise specifically in recent years. As devices tether modern society indoors, pickleball offers needed human connection through interactive real-life recreation. Plus, the game's minimal space demands enable it to thrive even in crowded urban areas lacking expansive greenspace. Pickleball also provides an affordable outlet perfectly suited to today's budget-conscious, time-crunched lifestyles.
#21. Growth Pains
Rome wasn't built in a day, and pickleball has understandably endured some turbulence while scaling so rapidly. Supply shortages of courts frequently frustrate aspiring players, especially in densely populated locales. Repurposing tennis or basketball blacktops sometimes sparks controversy too. But creative solutions do exist, like striping multi-use facilities to accommodate several racket sports simultaneously. Though daunting, these inevitable growing pains won't halt pickleball's momentum overall.
#22. What's Next for Paranto?
For Steve Paranto himself, the immediate future holds opportunities to keep combining his twin passions of pickleball and performance. Later this year, Paranto will again showcase his entertainment chops onstage at the USA Pickleball Association Hall of Fame induction gala. He also aspires to author a book chronicling his 50-year pickleball journey someday.
#23. Leaving a Legacy
Now approaching his mid-60s, Paranto remains far from finished pursuing his lifelong mission of spreading joy through pickleball. He plans to continue playing recreationally as long as health permits, plus mentoring others on improving their games regardless of age or skill level. By committing to foster community and share knowledge, Paranto cements a lasting legacy ensuring pickleball keeps thriving for generations long after he's gone.
Steve Paranto's half-century-and counting immersion in pickleball perfectly encapsulates the sport's grassroots rise. His contagious, youthful exuberance for bettering lives through the power of playtime sets a gold standard for pickleball ambassadors everywhere. Win or lose, Paranto approaches each moment on the court with grace, humor and passion. Thanks to beloved luminaries like him, pickleball's future looks bright indeed.
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