April

April 19, 2011 | Volume 19, Number 4

What's the Name of Your Game?

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Sports and games are an integral part of childhood, a productive outlet for kids' boundless natural energy. But it has become increasingly clear, especially in this era of sedentary work and bulging waistlines, that sports play is good for grown-ups, too. An active lifestyle not only promotes fitness through opportunities for movement and exercise. The associated fun, camaraderie, and teamwork enhance individual well-being and provide a healthy relief valve for stress.

Pleasanton has a wealth of sports opportunities for adults. In addition to running softball, basketball, bocce, and volleyball leagues, the Parks and Recreation Department operates open gym programs, an aquatics center, a golf course, and a tennis center. In addition, an independent organization offers soccer on city fields.

As you read through the following options, you are bound to find something that makes you want to get out and play.

Softball

The City's Adult Softball Program is one of the largest in northern California. Eight different leagues accommodate players at all skill levels: Co-Ed Business, Men's Business, Co-Ed Competitive, Men's Slowpitch (C, D, and E level), Men's Masters (35 and above), Co-Ed Recreational, Men's Legends (50 and over), and a Co-Ed Church league. While many municipalities have had to institute cutbacks in their recreational offerings, Pleasanton's program is still going strong, relates Senior Recreation Leader Marty Bell.

Held Sunday through Friday at the Pleasanton Sports and Recreation Park Softball Complex at 5800 Parkside Drive (off Hopyard Road), the games are 70 minutes or seven innings long. The first game starts at 5:15 and the last at 9:00 pm. The Sports Park staff uses an online service, sportability.com, to publicize schedules and team standings.

Play for the spring season started the week of April 1st and will run through mid-July. Registration for the fall season opens in late June, with games slated to begin later that month. While the Sports Park office staff maintain a "free agent list" for single players, they also encourage the establishment of new teams. A group of 12 to 16 players is recommended.

For more information, visit www.pleasantonsports.org, or contact Bell at (925) 931-3439 or mbell@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.

Basketball

The Adult Basketball League hosts three divisions: novice, middle, and upper, for players 18 and over. Spring play started on April 7 and will run for eight weeks, through early June. Playoffs extend the season by a few weeks. Games are played at Pleasanton Middle School, 5001 Case Avenue, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

Fall League play begins September 8. New teams are welcome. Team registration information is available now online at http://online.activecommunities.com/pleasanton or at the Sports Park Fieldhouse, 5800 Parkside Drive. For more information, call Marty Bell at (925) 931-3439.

The City's open gym basketball at Harvest Park Middle School, 4900 Valley Avenue, is available to Pleasanton residents only. Hours are Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 am and Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.

Admission is by pass only. They can be purchased at the Pleasanton Community Services office, 200 Old Bernal Avenue, or online at http://online.activecommunities.com/pleasanton. Questions can be directed to Recreation Supervisor Daniel Villasenor at 925-931-3437 or dvillasenor@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.

Aquatics

There are many ways to take advantage of the heated, Olympic size pool at the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center at 4455 Black Avenue.

An early morning or after-work deep water aerobic workout is perfect for cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility. Classes start at 6:00 am on selected weekdays, and at 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday.

The pool is also open for lap swimming before work, at lunchtime, in the evening, and on Saturday.

Punch passes of varying duration give pool patrons a selection of use and payment options. For details and specific schedules, visit www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/recreation/aquatics.html or call the center at (925) 931-3420.

If you prefer to swim with a group, consider joining the Tri Valley Masters Swim Team, which practices year-round at the Aquatic Center. A member of the U.S. Masters Swimming organization, the group offers 15 coached workouts a week, the earliest at 5:00 am. The minimum age is 18; an interest in fitness or competitive swimming is recommended. For more information, go to www.trivalleymasters.com.

Tennis

Play at the Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park, at the corner of Valley Avenue and Hopyard Road, is managed by Lifetime Tennis. Director Aaron Wong has more than five years at the facility and more than 14 years with the organization. The 10 lighted courts are open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturday; and 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Sunday.

Adult lessons begin the week of June 20 and are targeted at a variety of levels: beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Specialty lessons includes Saturday, Sunday, and evening cardio sessions, as well as classes devoted to Doubles Strategy and Serve and Net.

The Summer Adult Recreation Leagues, consisting of Ladies, Mens, and Mixed Doubles, start on June 27, with play at 8:00 and 8:45 am weekdays.

Courts are available by reservation, and ball machines can be rented as well. Make online court reservations at www.lifetimetennis.com. Other public tennis courts are available throughout Pleasanton at community parks and schools free of charge. For more information on the full extent of City tennis programs, call (925) 931-3449.

Soccer

The Pleasanton Adult Sunday Soccer League (PASS) runs three levels of league play in two seasons, spring and fall. Play starts in March and September, respectively. Each season typically comprises 12 games, held on Sundays at 9:00 and 11:00 am.

Team levels are organized by age. The minimum age for the Co-ed Premier Division is 21 for women and 27 for men. The age floor for the Co-ed Division, currently the largest, is 25 for women and 30 for men. The Co-ed Masters Division is designed for women 35 and above and men 40 or older.

Instead of doing individual placement, PASS has created an online community to assist players looking for teams, and vice versa. Information on forming a new team can be found online. The league is also recruiting referees for PASS games.

For information about all opportunities, visit www.pleasantonadultsoccer.com, or call (925) 426-7277.

Bocce

Bocce Ball is growing in popularity as a convivial leisure-time activity among a variety of age groups. The City-sponsored league comprises beginner and advanced divisions, with games played Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 6:15 to 9:45 pm.

Spring League play opened on April 19 and runs through early June. The summer season starts in August, and the fall season starts in October.

The bocce courts are located at Centennial Community Park, 5353 Sunol Boulevard, next to the Pleasanton Senior Center. The courts are also open to the public from 9:00 am to noon, daily. Players should bring their own equipment.

Volleyball

Consisting of three divisions - novice, intermediate, and advanced - the City's Coed Adult Volleyball League offers three seasons of play, in the spring, fall, and winter. Teams play with six members and can have up to 10 on their roster. Games are held Monday from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at Pleasanton Middle School.

Running for eight weeks plus playoffs, spring season opened on April 11. Fall season will begin in mid-September. For registration information, see the latest Activities Guide on the City website, www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us, or call Marty Bell at (925) 931-3439.

The gym at Harvest Park Middle School is open for coed drop-in play on Sundays from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Both residents and non-residents need to purchase punch passes, either at the Community Services Department at 200 Old Bernal Avenue, or online at http://online.activecommunities.com/pleasanton.

Direct questions to Dan Villasenor at 925-931-3437 or dvillasenor@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.

Golf

Pleasanton's Callippe Preserve Golf Course, at 8500 Clubhouse Drive, opened in 2005. On the south side of the city, the 18-hole, par 72 course stretches across a varied terrain, from the valley floor to higher elevations offering spectacular views. Facilities include a driving range and a clubhouse with pro shop and restaurant. Lessons are available, including an Advanced Swing Mechanics class, which gives students the chance to correct mistakes and to connect more solidly to the ball.

Special events like Couples Golf and Dinner, Night Golf, and tournaments are regularly on the schedule. For more information, including details on hosting a golf outing, call the course office at (925) 426-6666. Tee times can be reserved online at www.playcallippe.com.

Badminton

Drop-in badminton play and classes are offered on Saturday and Sunday evenings at Thomas Hart Middle School, 4433 Willow Road, during Open Gym hours.

Facility Rentals

If you are unable to make room in a busy schedule for regular league play, or would like to host an active event for your business, think about planning a gathering at one of the City's parks, fields, or gyms.

For softball tournaments, many groups rent the Softball Complex located within the Sports and Recreation Community Park. For more information and availability, contact Dan Villasenor at (925) 931-3437 or Marty Bell at (925) 931-3439.

Group picnic areas at the Sports Park (capacity 200), Amador Valley Community Park (capacity 200), and Val Vista Community Park (capacity 250) can also be reserved.

Gyms at Harvest Park, Pleasanton, and Hart middle schools can be rented for indoor sports games and tournaments after school hours, depending upon availability. Contact Villasenor at (925) 931-3437 for specifics.

Rental rates and related costs for all facilities vary, depending upon type of space and renter category (Co-sponsored Group, Resident, Non-resident, Commercial). For descriptions, reservation procedures and rental fees, go to www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/recreation/facility-rentals.html or contact the Community Services Department at (925) 931-5340.

Want to Coach?

Youth sports are a big draw in Pleasanton. A frequent challenge for many of the leagues is finding enough coaches to support all the teams. If you have ever considered coaching youth sports, then Pleasanton's leagues want you! It is not necessary to be the parent of a player to be a coach. Volunteers in many other capacities are also needed, and opportunities to sponsor a team are often available. Training and orientation for many of these sports start months before the season actually begins, so visit the following websites for details.

Baseball
Pleasanton Foothill Little League: www.pfllonline.org
Pleasanton National Little League: www.pleasantonnational.org

Football
Pleasanton Junior Football League: www.pjfl.com

Soccer
Ballistic United Soccer Club: www.busc.org
Pleasanton Rage Girls Soccer Club: www.pleasantonrage.org

Softball
Pleasanton Girls Softball League: www.pleasantonsoftball.org

Lacrosse
Pleasanton Lacrosse Club: www.pleasantonlacrosse.com

Swimming
Seahawks USS Swim Team: www.pleasantonseahawks.org

Photo: Whether your sport is volleyball, golf, basketball, tennis, softball, or swimming, the City of Pleasanton has a venue for you. (Volleyball and basketball photos are courtesy of Eric Bell.)

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