For the past few years, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North Hills has had a sign in its front yard on Thompson Run Road advertising "Pickleball every Tuesday."

As people drive by the Ross church, the sign usually elicits the same reaction: What's pickleball?

The Rev. Harry Metzger has the answer, and members of his congregation -- in growing numbers -- are in on the secret.

Pickleball is a paddle-and-court sport that is wildly popular in Florida, Arizona, Oregon and Washington state, but few Pittsburghers have ever heard of it, said Rev. Metzger, pastor of the church.

The congregation first learned of the sport when Associate Pastor Martin Blocki introduced pickleball at a church picnic, Rev. Metzger recalled, adding that the game was an instant hit with church members of all ages.

A few years ago, someone told Rev. Metzger that the church "is the best kept secret in the North Hills," and he decided that pickleball might be just the vehicle to get the secret out.

"Martin made the sign and put it up about three years ago," Rev. Metzger said, "and the whole neighborhood has been talking about it ever since."

Pickleball is played on a 20-foot by 44-foot court, the same dimensions as a badminton court, with the net hung at 36 inches and lowered to 34 inches at the center. Using wood or composite paddles that resemble large ping-pong paddles, players hit a perforated plastic whiffle-type ball to each other. A non-volley zone extends 7 feet back from the net on each side, making it a kinder, gentler game than tennis.

Invented in 1965 in Seattle, Wash., by three dads with bored kids, pickleball is easy to learn and play, but it can be exciting and competitive for experienced players who want to take the game to the next level. Rev. Metzger said the history of the game says it was named after a family dog, Pickles, whose ball was used in the first game ever played.

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles. In doubles, the team that serves wins a point when the other side misses the rally.

The players of the scoring team switch sides of the court when they win a point, and then the serve comes from the other court. The first team to score 11 points wins, but they must win by two points.

Rev. Blocki learned the game while visiting his sister in Washington state.

"There, people build pickleball courts in their backyards," he said. While it has been slow to catch on in this area, the game's popularity now spans the globe. "There is even a USA Pickleball Association and a World Pickleball Federation."

Soon after the sign went up at the church, it attracted a North Allegheny physical education teacher who began incorporating the game into lesson plans at Peebles Elementary school in 2007. The game has since spread to other local school districts.

"Schools all over the country now teach it in their PE programs," said Rev. Blocki.

Reformed Presbyterian Church of North Hills has come to be known as "The Pickleball Church," he said.

"It's been a great way for our church members to meet and connect with people in our community. We're also starting to use the game in our outreach ministry in Millvale."

When it comes to socializing, pickleball's reputation for bringing people together is evident in the church's three-court, flour-lined parking lot on Tuesday nights.

"Both of my knees have been replaced, and they're a little stiff and sore, but I still get to play," said Bruce Stewart, 85, of McCandless. "It's good exercise, but not only that: You get to visit with other people who come. ... it's also been a great way for us to meet people in our community. We provide popcorn and lemonade, and people like to watch as well as play."

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