The Bainbridge Island Founders Tournament will take place Aug. 8-14 at the six new pickleball courts at Battle Point Park.

As of July 20, more than 400 pickleball players had entered.

The third annual event that brings in players from all over the country is one of the BI historical museum’s major fundraisers.

Pickleball is one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports. It actually was invented on BI in 1965 by Bill Bell, Barney McCallum and Joel Pritchard, a former state lieutenant governor and member of the state and later the U.S. House of Representatives. The tournament got its name from the three “founders” of the sport.

In conjunction with the tournament, at the museum itself there will be a display on the history of pickleball.

The museum also will have tours to “Court No. 1,” the former badminton court at Pleasant Beach where the first pickleball game was played.

Register to play in the tourney by July 31 for $75 per person at www.pickleballtournaments.com. Sign up as a single and partners can be provided. Ages are for 12 and older.

There also will be free beginners’ clinics at the court so more people of all ages can learn to play the game Aug. 8-9.

The Wooden Paddle Legacy Tourney is Aug. 10, with Mixed Doubles 65 and older Aug. 10-11; Women Doubles Aug. 12; Mixed Doubles Aug. 13; and Men’s Doubles Aug. 14. Abilitiy levels range from 3.0 to 5.0 and age groups 50 and older and up to age 49. There are also Senior Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles for ages 65 and older.

The top teams in each round-robin event will win gold, silver and bronze medals.

Also, there will be a family style dinner with entertainment Aug. 13 costing $25 for adults and $8 for kids. The band plays from 5-8 p.m. Beer and wine cost $5.

For more information go to www.bainbridgehistory.org