【熱門時事】匹克球 Pickleball：從後院小遊戲到亞洲三億玩家的爆紅運動 - 20250809
歡迎收聽《HOT 基礎英文新聞：熱門時事分享》。我是 Clarence。
最近在台北信義運動中心的屋頂，到新北中和的室內球館，處處都能聽見塑膠孔球「啵啵」作響，匹克球正式成為下班後與假日揪團的新寵。這項運動到底有什麼魅力？接下來就來聊聊它的起源、爆紅的原因，以及在亞洲快速流行的現象。
初學者可以先到有教練或揪團的場地體驗，裝備需求不高，但球拍與球鞋的選擇會影響打球的舒適度。若在室外打球，要留意場地的風與光線，避免影響發球與判斷。
Welcome to “HOT English News: Let’s Talk Trends” I’m Clarence.
From the rooftop court at Xinyi Sports Center to indoor clubs in Zhonghe, you can hear the pop‑pop of the plastic ball. Pickleball has become the new after‑work and weekend craze in Taiwan. Why is it so popular? Let’s explore the story behind this rising sport.
匹克球融合了網球、羽球和桌球的元素。球場比羽球場稍大，球拍像放大版的桌球拍，球則是中空塑膠球，上面有小孔。玩法簡單不複雜，初學者只要十五分鐘就能打得有模有樣。
Pickleball mixes parts of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.
It uses a badminton-sized court, big paddles, and a light plastic ball with holes.
The game is simple—most people can start playing well in just fifteen minutes.
1965 年，美國華盛頓州的三位爸爸，為了打發孩子暑假的無聊時光，發明了這項運動。
沒想到這個家庭遊戲竟然逐漸在美國各州蔓延，現在甚至紅到全世界。在台灣，根據媒體報導，已有超過十萬人加入匹克球行列，Line 群組和社群社團的數量短時間內成長兩倍以上。
In 1965, three dads in Washington State created this game for their kids during summer break. It grew from a backyard game to a national sport—and now a global one.
In Taiwan, news reports say over 100,000 people now play pickleball, and online groups are growing fast.
匹克球的魅力之一，是它「上手快」。不論年齡大小、有沒有運動底子，只要幾球，就能體會到打到球的成就感。再來是社群的擴散力。TikTok 和 IG 上許多屋頂夜打、下班快閃賽的影片，讓這項運動快速走紅。
更有趣的是，它成為一種跨世代的社交活動。我們常看到祖孫同場、甚至同事會帶爸媽一起出隊，讓匹克球不只是運動，更是一種「團體活動」。
One reason for its rise is how easy it is to learn. Any age, any background—just a few rallies and you feel good. Social media also plays a big role. Rooftop games and flash matches after work go viral on TikTok and Instagram.
It’s also a cross-generation sport.
Grandparents and teens can play together, and coworkers bring their parents to games.
在生活壓力大、物價上漲的時代，匹克球提供了一個低成本、低門檻的紓壓方式。
打一場球的費用跟一杯咖啡差不多，但卻能讓你活動筋骨、流汗放鬆。節奏輕快、敲球的聲音和互動，很多人形容像是一場「微型城市小旅行」。
In this high-pressure, high-cost world, pickleball is a simple way to relax.
It costs about as much as a cup of coffee, yet it gives you a good sweat, plenty of fun, and real movement.
Many say the gentle play and sounds feel like a short city getaway.
因為球拍輕、場地小，雙打輪替快速，很多人形容：「這像是把社群聊天室搬到球場」。
年齡不是問題，60 歲的阿姨能和 16 歲的高中生對打，場上常出現不同世代交流的畫面。
不過也有批評聲音，有人認為這是給打不好網球的人玩的「慢版網球」，還有居民因為球聲太吵提出噪音訴訟。
有趣的是，一套叫 DUPR 的系統，讓每一場比賽都能被評分上傳。很多人週末打球後，會用小數點後三位的分數當成自己的「名片」，滿足感十足。
The light paddles, small courts, and fast games make it very social.
Players say it feels like moving a group chat onto the court.
All ages join in. A 60‑year‑old aunt can play a 16‑year‑old student.
But not everyone loves it. Some call it “slow tennis for bad tennis players,” and neighbors sue over the noise.
Still, many love the game and track their progress with DUPR ratings—
from 2.000 to 8.000. Some even use their score as their weekend “identity.”
在亞洲，匹克球成長最快的地方是新加坡。YouGov 的調查顯示，光是過去一年，認知度暴增 132%，球館預約常常一開就秒殺。 馬來西亞是亞洲巡迴賽的第一站，今年七月已在吉隆坡開打，吸引來自周邊國家的粉絲。越南與韓國的社群成長也非常驚人，據說亞洲整體每月活躍玩家將近 3 億人。
除了運動本身，匹克球也帶動了城市活化。很多地方政府翻修閒置網球場，咖啡廳、健身房也開始設置迷你球場，形成新的「運動打卡點」。甚至有醫院、非營利組織把匹克球導入高齡者復健、校園活動，成為一種增進包容的社會連結工具。
In Asia, Singapore grows the fastest. One survey said awareness jumped 132% in a year, and courts book out fast. Malaysia hosted the first PPA Asia Tour stop this July in Kuala Lumpur. Vietnam and Korea also grow fast, with nearly 300 million active players across Asia.
Pickleball also changes cities. Empty tennis courts become busy again. Cafés and gyms add mini-courts for fun and social posts. Hospitals use it for rehab. Schools use it to mix age groups. It’s more than sport—it’s a social connection.
這就是匹克球的魅力與故事。如果你喜歡這種「主題與雙語」的內容，歡迎按下追蹤、給我們五星評分，並分享給想運動或學英文的朋友。也歡迎留言告訴我們：下一次想聽什麼主題呢？
今天這集就先分享到這裡，我們下次見！
That’s the story of pickleball! If you like this topic-based bilingual style, please follow, give us five stars, and share with friends who enjoy sports or learning English. Feel free to comment and tell us: What do you want us to discuss next?
That’s all for this episode. See you next time.
