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

Games are played at the Ken Mercer Sports 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, www.teamsideline.com/pleasanton to publicize schedules and team standings.

Play for the spring season started the week of March 27th and will run through mid-July. The fall season begins in mid-July, with registration beginning in April 19th. 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 signing up at www.teamsideline.com/pleasanton.

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, fall, and winter with a guarantee of 8 games. There are two levels of play offered, Novice and Intermediate. Teams are recommended to have 6 to 10 players per roster. Games are played on Wednesday and Thursday nights depending on the season. Registration information can be found at www.pleasantonsports.org.

The Pleasanton Youth Basketball (PYB) program has a need for volunteer youth basketball coaches during the months of November - February for the City's PYB program. This youth basketball league is the City's largest youth program and serves over 1,300 youth, grades 1-12, male and female. Divisions are separated by gender and grade level. The commitment is two hours per week - 1 hour for a weekday evening indoor practice and 1 hour for game day on Saturday. The program would not be successful without the support and dedication of the volunteers.

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

Open Gym admission is by pass only. No form of payment will be accepted on site. Passes can be purchased in person at the Pleasanton Community Services office, 200 Old Bernal, during regular business hours, or online at www.pleasantonfun.com.

For any questions, contact Nilo Velazquez at (925) 931-3439 or e-mail nvelazquez@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

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 from 6:15 to 10:00 p.m.

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 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., daily. Players should bring their own equipment.

For any questions, contact Nilo Velazquez at (925) 931-3439 or e-mail nvelazquez@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 p.m. 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.

Open Gym admission is by pass only. No form of payment will be accepted on site. Passes can be purchased in person at the Pleasanton Community Services office, 200 Old Bernal, during regular business hours, or online at www.pleasantonfun.com.

Pickleball

Participate in the Pickleball open gym program every Sunday morning. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. Drop in and try your hand at this new trend that is sweeping the nation! Participants who are new to the sport are welcome. To register, please visit www.pleasantonfun.com or drop by the Community Services Department office (200 Old Bernal Avenue). Advance registration is required. Location for Sunday morning Pickleball may change.

Open Gym admission is by pass only. No form of payment will be accepted on site. Passes can be purchased in person at the Pleasanton Community Services office, 200 Old Bernal, during regular business hours, or online at www.pleasantonfun.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 Activities, 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.

Intermediate and Advanced level players can also drop in on Thursday nights for the Thursday Night Clinic. Each night, the clinic focuses on one specific topic. One night can concentrate on mechanics; and another night can be about drills or strategy. Space is limited to the first 8 players.

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

Aquatics

Pleasanton's premiere aquatic facility, Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center, features a 50 meter Olympic-size pool, shallow pool with waterslide, recently renovated 25 meter lap pool, diving well, two 1 meter diving boards, and plenty of turf for picnics and lounging poolside. Pools are heated to 80 degrees, year-round. The facility is also equipped with plenty of parking, locker rooms, and shower facilities.

For example, the 50 meter pool is open for lap swimming on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00-10:00 a.m., on weekdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 5:30-8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8:00-11:00 a.m., 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 Tracy Newman at (925) 931-3420 or e-mail tnewman@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.

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 and 11:00 a.m.

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.

Come celebrate the co-ed Memorial Day Soccer Tournament with PASS League May 27th & 28th as a spectator or participant. There are 3 divisions: Open (18+), Over 30s (Men over 30 years old, Women over 25 years old), & Over 40s (Men over 40 years old, Women over 35 years old). If interested contact tournament director to see if you can be put on a team. Teams are always trying to find players. For more information about the tournament and or rules, please visit https://busc.org/pleasanton-adult-sunday-soccer-pass/?doing_wp_cron=1491937504.8518249988555908203125.

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.

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.