I really want to get out and play sports more

[fustercluck]

I really like playing sports, anything really (except for water polo, that's for chumps). The problem is I don't know enough people to put together a game, not even a 2v2. I'm 21, so I'm a little old for little league. How can I join a sports team or form one of my own? I need some ideas, i've been thinking about this for a long time. (This is probably as far as you need to read, but you can read for more information if you want).

I would love to play almost anything as mentioned above, but I would really like to play real football. Not flag or two hand touch (though that would be better than nothing), but real football. Shoulder pads/Helmets/Uniforms, the real deal. I noticed there's a lot of high school footballs teams around that suck pretty bad, I doubtfully might be able to get on a high school team since I never completed highschool...they'll let a 21 year old guy join up without any problems, right?

Anyways, I just want to get involved in some team sports. Recreational or competitive. I can play more than one thing at a time. I like football, baseball, tennis, racquetball, soccer, basketball (though I suck at it so not real interested in that). Would appreciate any ideas that might help me out, thanks.

 

[KLin]

find a local YMCA, read the sports section of your local newspaper for ads for local softball leagues, etc.

 

[I Saw OJ]

I'm joining an adult roller hockey league next month, should be loads of fun. I would love to join an adult softball league, im sure the YMCA is a good place to start.

 

[mwmorph]

Theres adult leauges everrywhere. My friends have a team in the local flag football leauge and they play a bunch of guys 20-40.

 

[BrownTown]

Yeah, there are places to play pretty much any sport you want, I am 21, and I play ultimate frisbee every summer in a laegue where I live with 100+ people. I also play it at college. Any decent sized town should have a good number of sports leagues that you can join, its a great fun way to stay in shape and meet new people at the same time. Sure beats going home and watching the TV every afternoon.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
Yeah, there are places to play pretty much any sport you want, I am 21, and I play ultimate frisbee every summer in a laegue where I live with 100+ people. I also play it at college. Any decent sized town should have a good number of sports leagues that you can join, its a great fun way to stay in shape and meet new people at the same time. Sure beats going home and watching the TV every afternoon.

Definitely. I should of looked into this kinda thing long ago. Any places to look besides the YMCA though? I don't think the sports section of my newspaper would list any amateur team sport happenings, but then again I never read the paper.

 

[fustercluck]

bump - I know I'll be able to find stuff on my own, but any ideas where to look exactly besides YMCA?

 

[chambersc]

Do you go to college? Your uni. has an intermurial (sp?) athletic program that could be nice.

 

[amish]

i'd try an indoor soccer place. also, you would be surprised at the stuff posted on a bulletin board at a university.

 

[vi edit]

Check into a locally owned sporting goods store. The guys working there can probably point in the right direction.

All you need to do is show up where the leagues are playing. Teams are always looking for extra bodies and subs to fill in. Work your way into a starting spot that way.

 

[BigJ]

I don't know about your area, but there are a bunch of actual amateur football leagues around here. Full gear, conferences, championships and everything.

Adult leagues are everywhere, it's just a matter of putting the effort into finding them.

 

[child of wonder]

Hang around a local college. Shouldn't be too hard finding competition there. I used to do that all the time in high school and play pick up hoops.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Adaman
I really like playing sports, anything really (except for water polo, that's for chumps). The problem is I don't know enough people to put together a game, not even a 2v2. I'm 21, so I'm a little old for little league. How can I join a sports team or form one of my own? I need some ideas, i've been thinking about this for a long time. (This is probably as far as you need to read, but you can read for more information if you want).

I would love to play almost anything as mentioned above, but I would really like to play real football. Not flag or two hand touch (though that would be better than nothing), but real football. Shoulder pads/Helmets/Uniforms, the real deal. I noticed there's a lot of high school footballs teams around that suck pretty bad, I doubtfully might be able to get on a high school team since I never completed highschool...they'll let a 21 year old guy join up without any problems, right?

Anyways, I just want to get involved in some team sports. Recreational or competitive. I can play more than one thing at a time. I like football, baseball, tennis, racquetball, soccer, basketball (though I suck at it so not real interested in that). Would appreciate any ideas that might help me out, thanks.

Find local arenas (indoor soccer, ice, roller, basketball, etc...) and contact them.
Contact your local community colleges to see if they have programs.
Contact your local gyms to see if they have programs.
Contact your local governments to see if they have adult recreational programs.
Put adds in your local penny saver.
Put adds on your bulletin boards in your local gym, community college, etc....

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Churches. Every large church will have at least softball and basketball and they play in full-on organized leagues most of the time against other churches. I know some of the guys on the teams I've been on didn't actually attend the church.

 

[JohnAn2112]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
I'm joining an adult roller hockey league next month, should be loads of fun. I would love to join an adult softball league, im sure the YMCA is a good place to start.

Oooh I'd love to join a roller hockey league. What part of CA are you in?

 

[Dirigible]

Don't forget the activities section of Craigslist.

For cycling (road and mountain) there are numerous web forums/organized clubs that have ride calendars listing rides for all to join. I'd think there'd be similar things for other sports too. Start searching with Google or within Yahoo groups and the like.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Originally posted by: JohnAn2112

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
I'm joining an adult roller hockey league next month, should be loads of fun. I would love to join an adult softball league, im sure the YMCA is a good place to start.

Oooh I'd love to join a roller hockey league. What part of CA are you in?

Central Valley, near Fresno.

 

[marulee]

Originally posted by: KLin
find a local YMCA, read the sports section of your local newspaper for ads for local softball leagues, etc.

:thumbsup:

 

[fustercluck]

bumparoo

I'm getting to be a fatass after the holidays, so I'm even more eager to join some kind of sports team or start doing something new. I've looked a lot of places and found nothing. Lot of leagues for kids, lot of leagues for seniors, but not many leagues for inbetweeners. Did find one adult baseball league but it was like $680 for 18 games, I don't feel like I should have to pay that kind of money to try and get in shape when I can play for free elsewhere. I really want to get much more physical activity but I don't want to spend all my money. I have the energy, just no where to use it. I hate exercising on my own, it's super boring and stressful.

I wouldn't mind trying something totally new like Hockey (ice or roller), Volleyball, BMXing (X games look like fun ), lacrosse, just about anything. I did find an Ultimate Frisbee league starting in Feb, so hopefully I can get in on that. I played it in high school so I know how to play.

 

[I Saw OJ]

If you dont want to pay much to play, hockey is pretty much out then, the gear can get really expensive. Softball or volleyball seem like they would be loads of fun, I cant believe their arent any adult leagues in your area.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: Adaman
bumparoo

I wouldn't mind trying something totally new like Hockey (ice or roller), Volleyball, BMXing (X games look like fun ), lacrosse, just about anything. I did find an Ultimate Frisbee league starting in Feb, so hopefully I can get in on that. I played it in high school so I know how to play.

Breaking into a sports scene is hard. Definitely join the frisbee league. It's a fun sport on its own and when you get to know the other players they should be able to tell you about other sports pickup games and leagues. A lot of ultimate players also play soccer, but some also do other things. Once you start getting connections to people with the same interest in sports it becomes much easier to find activities.

 

[alphatarget1]

craigslist

 

[fustercluck]

I'll definitely try and get on the ultimate frisbee league. I just remembered I don't like people though, that could be a setback in trying to get on a team. There's a lot of sports I really want to play. I would just golf a lot more if it wasn't such a rip off. I don't have enough money to play it regularly. A racquetball league would be fun but money would also be a problem there. No wonder America is so obese, you can't play sports unless you're a millionaire :disgust: - I know that's not true...only somewhat. My point is it shouldn't be so hard to get on or organize a sports team. Tucson is kind of an old people city though.

 

[dakels]

There's so many options out there like people said. Depending on where you live you can find a group for almost anything. I play and used to teach tennis. Play in a league for volleyball, ice and street (roller) hockey, used to go to skateboard parks (too painful now), and have been in adult baseball (hardball) leagues, touch football, soccer, rock climbing groups and mountain biking groups. I also ski and snowboard on my own, hike, etc. There's tons of groups for sports out there. Its as simple as going to a local park, or looking online.

For me its a million times easier living in the NYC area but still, some places to start online =
http://newyork.craigslist.org/
http://www.local.com/results.aspx?keywo...n=tucson&setlocation=on&newsearch=true
http://www.hereintucson.com/sports.htm
http://www.sportsmonster.net/

Also if you live in a fairly large city (or not) check your local municiple web site or call them about adult league info.

As far as cost, everything varies. Hockey you mentioned is a great sport but sorta costly to start off. All ice leagues and most street leagues require equipment. It can run you $1000+ to gear up. You can buy some used equipment but its not a great idea. First off it has to fit you perfectly, loose equipment is dangerous. Also have you ever smelled used hockey equipment? lol It's one of the worst odors known to man. Also hockey leagues must defray the fairly high ice rental costs which are usually upwards of $150+/per hour + insurance and at god aweful hours (like 2-4 am).

Volleyball is fairly prevelant summer and winter team sprt and fairly inexpensive. Tennis is not too expensive when you first start, depending on lessons. Tennis can get VERY expensive fast though. Soccer, touch football, baseball, basketball are all usually cheap. Golf... is an expensive 3 hour walk... (j/k I like golf as a break from real physical activities ).

Anyways I recommend you try out some intro leagues that don't require too much a fiscal commitment. Many offer some events that are like noobie days. Often a low flat cost to get people into it. Don't go out and buy $1000 hockey equipment or a $2000 mountain bike before you really decide you enjoy it.

 

[patentman]

Originally posted by: Adaman
I'm 21, so I'm a little old for little league. How can I join a sports team or form one of my own?

How so? I'm 30 and I play in a softball league and a mens amateur baseball league (link). I think if you look there are plenty of options for someone your age.

If you live in the DC area there is tons of organized adult sports around. In addition there is pickup soccer on the ellipse (right by the Washington monument) and the polo fields just about every day of the week from 8am-12pm.