Pleasanton Provides a Host of Sporting Activities, Leagues in First-Class Facilities

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Among the many things that make Pleasanton a great place to live or work are the City of Pleasanton's sports leagues and facilities. Whether your idea of fun is forming a company softball team, playing pick-up basketball, swimming, tennis, soccer, bocce ball, volleyball, or playing a round of golf with friends, you will find a great opportunity to do so, right here in Pleasanton.

The centerpiece of these great facilities is the Pleasanton Sports Park, over 100 acres of green space and playing fields that can be configured in up to 12 soccer fields, four adult softball fields, and 21 additional baseball and Little League diamonds. It is a resource that has very few, if any, peers in Northern California. Taken in combination with Pleasanton's other sporting assets - the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center, the Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park, and Callippe Preserve Golf Course - it provides a tremendous resource for anyone interested in sports, from beginner to expert.

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 (advanced, intermediate, and novice level), Men's Masters (35 and above), Co-Ed Recreational, Men's Legends (50 and over), and a Co-Ed Church league. The Business leagues feature 5:15 pm weekday starting times, but the others play from Sunday through Friday nights at 6:30, 7:45, and 9:00 pm. Each contest is 70 minutes or seven innings long.

Games are played at the Pleasanton Sports and Recreation Park Softball Complex at 5800 Parkside Drive (off Hopyard Road), a facility which features four lighted fields, scoreboards, covered dugouts, and even a concession stand. 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 6th and will run through July. The fall season begins in August, with registration beginning in mid-June. A group of 12 to 16 players is recommended for those forming new teams, and individual "free agents" can be added to the pool of available players simply by communicating with City of Pleasanton recreation coordinator Joelle Goodman at (925) 931-3480 or via e-mail at jgoodman@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

Basketball

Whether you're looking for an open gym pickup game or an organized league, Pleasanton's Adult Basketball program has you covered.

The Adult Basketball League takes place in the spring and fall, with play lasting from 10 to 11 weeks. Several men's divisions mean that there is room for beginning, intermediate, or advanced players, with a minimum of eight and maximum of 12 players per roster. Games are played on Wednesday nights at the Pleasanton Middle School gym at 5001 Case Avenue. For registration information, access www.pleasantonfun.com.

For another option, check out Pleasanton's Open Gym program. Available to Pleasanton residents only, it allows for pickup games and other activities that are less formal than league play. Open gyms happen three times per week. On Saturday mornings, dribble over to Harvest Park Middle School from 6:00 - 8:00 am. On Monday and Wednesday nights from 8:00 - 10:00 pm, Thomas Hart Middle School at 4433 Willow Road in Hacienda is the venue.

Open Gym admission is by pass only. Passes can be purchased in person at the Pleasanton Community Services office, 200 Old Bernal, during regular business hours, or online at online.activecommunities.com/pleasanton.

For any questions, contact Joelle Goodman at (925) 931-3480 or e-mail jgoodman@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

Aquatics

There are big changes taking place at Pleasanton's Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center. The west side of the facility, home to several pools and a diving area, are undergoing extensive renovations which will result in a more energy efficient and accessible operation. While construction is expected to continue throughout the summer, with completion targeted in late September, the center's Olympic-sized 50-meter pool - which is heated to 80 degrees year-round - will remain open for lap swim, water exercise, swim lessons, and competitive swim team use.

For example, the 50-meter pool is open for lap swimming on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 - 10:00 am, on weekdays from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 - 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8:00 - 11:00 am, with passes available at the Aquatic Center.

Deep Water Aerobics are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and evenings Monday through Thursday. Shallow Water workouts, designed to strengthen and tone muscles, take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

The Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center is located at 4455 Black Avenue in Pleasanton. For more information, please call Michelle Stearns at (925) 931-3420 or e-mail mstearns@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

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 20 coached workouts a week at the Aquatic Center and Las Positas College. The minimum age is 18; an interest in fitness or competitive swimming is recommended. For more information, go to www.trivalleymasters.com.

Tennis

The Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park, which features 10 courts as well as a pro shop, is at the corner of Valley Avenue and Hopyard Road. The facility is managed by Lifetime Tennis, which also runs centers in Walnut Creek, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale. Options range from simply reserving a court for play among friends to league play as well as individual or group lessons.

Court reservations can be made eight days in advance by Pleasanton residents and seven days ahead for non-residents by calling (925) 931-3449 or through www.lifetimetennis.com. Ball machines are also available.

Recreational adult leagues are offered year round for doubles play for women, men, or mixed sides and an adult singles ladder is available as well.

Adult group classes are conducted at four levels: Beginning, for newcomers to the sport; Advanced Beginning, for those with at least six months of instruction; Intermediate, for players with basic match experience who need to improve their footwork, movement, and placement of shots; and Advanced, which addresses topics such as adding pace to shots and basic tennis strategy.

Call (925) 931-3449 or access lifetimetennis.com for more information.

Soccer

The Pleasanton Adult Sunday Soccer League - or PASS League - operates three different co-ed leagues in the spring and fall. Matches in the 12-game season are played on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am and 11:00 am.

Leagues are organized by age. Minimum ages for the Co-ed Premier Division are 21 for women and 27 for men. The Co-ed Division is for women over 25 and men over 30, while the Co-ed Masters Division is for women over 35 and men over 40.

In addition to the league's main web site at pleasantonadultsoccer.com, a special, separate site has been created at pass30.wetpaint.com to allow teams to seek new players and unconnected players to find teams. Information on forming a new team can be found online. The league is also recruiting referees for PASS games.

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

Bocce

Descended from games that originated in the Roman Empire, bocce (from the Italian word for "bowls") involves rolling balls down a court towards a smaller, target ball. Usually played outdoors, the sport has grown in popularity in recent years thanks in part to its all-ages appeal. The City of Pleasanton offers league play in two co-ed divisions, beginner and advanced, with games played Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 6:15 - 9:45 pm.

Pleasanton's bocce courts are located at Centennial Community Park, 5353 Sunol Boulevard, next to the Pleasanton Senior Center. When not in use by the leagues, the courts are open to the public from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm, daily. Players should bring their own equipment.

For additional information, contact Joelle Goodman at (925) 931-3480 or e-mail jgoodman@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

Volleyball

The City's Co-ed Adult Volleyball League is designed to accommodate players of all kinds, with three separate divisions for novice, intermediate, and advanced skill levels. Matches are played Monday nights from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at Pleasanton Middle School at 5001 Case Avenue. League play is divided into three seasons: spring, fall, and winter, with online registration available at www.pleasantonfun.com.

For pick-up games, Open Gym Volleyball is held at Pleasanton Middle School on Sundays from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. 15-day punch cards are available for purchase online at http://online.activecommunities.com/pleasanton. Single day admission passes are $4.75 for residents and $5.75 for non-residents and must be purchased in advance at the Community Services Department located at 200 Old Bernal Avenue. No cash or checks will be accepted at the Gym. For additional information, contact Joelle Goodman at (925) 931-3480 or e-mail jgoodman@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

Golf

Set in the foothills on the south edge of Pleasanton, the City's newest facility is Callippe Preserve Golf Course, a beautiful 18-hole course which opened in 2005. The picturesque links make the most of a spectacular setting, with the front nine routed through the valley and the back nine set at a higher elevation, with Happy Valley Creek winding throughout.

Facilities include a driving range and a clubhouse with pro shop and restaurant. Lessons for both adults and juniors are available from head pro Doug Giannini, assistant pro Jake Saito, and PGA apprentice Alison Lombardo.

Special events are regularly on the schedule, including the 3rd annual Blue Star Moms Tournament on Friday, April 26. 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.

Photo: (Photos courtesy of City of Pleasanton)

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