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. Pleasanton enjoys some truly remarkable sporting facilities including 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; the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center; the Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park; and Callippe Preserve Golf Course. Taken in combination with the great array of adult team opportunities, Pleasanton provides a tremendous resource for anyone interested in sports, from beginner to expert.

NOTE from Hacienda: Before we go further, we wanted to note that the response to the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that a number of the great programs listed in this article were, by necessity, suspended. However, the City of Pleasanton is working hard to re-open its amazing array of sports offerings as soon as it is safe for the public to participate. Please be sure to note under each description below the status of the activity as it is known as of the date of this publication.

To sign up for your favorite sport, including activities offered this spring, visit: www.teamsideline.com/pleasanton/. Additional information concerning registration, playing times and league requirements are available through the City of Pleasanton Parks and Community Services Department. Please contact the City of Pleasanton's Community Services Department by calling (925) 931-3437 or email Jack Hettinger at jhettinger@cityofpleasantonca.gov for questions or additional details. If you are not currently on a team but still want to participate in an adult sports league, please sign up on the Free Agents List. While signing up on this list does not guarantee your placement on a team, if a team needs players, the team manager may reach out to city staff to obtain information about those on the list. You can sign up for the Free Agents List by visiting: www.teamsideline.com/sites/pleasanton/form/1123/Free-Agent-Signup. Come out and enjoy playing your preferred sport, all while getting to know some new friends and participating in a fun and healthy activity!

Softball

The City's Adult Softball Program is one of the largest in northern California. With leagues varying from E, D, C, Men's Masters (35 and above), Men's Legends (50 and over), and Co-Ed Business & Recreational (Mush ball). The Business leagues feature 5:15 pm weekday starting times, but the others play from Monday 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 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 TeamSideline to take team registration, publicize schedules, and team standings. You can visit www.teamsideline.com/pleasanton for more information.

Basketball

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. When it returns, registration information will be available at: www.teamsideline.com/pleasanton.

Pleasanton also supports an Open Gym program for basketball. However, this program is currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When it resumes, Open Gym Basketball allows for pickup games and other activities that are less formal than league play. Be sure to visit www.pleasantonfun.com for details on this program. Game balls are provided. Purchase punch passes in-person at the Recreation office located in the Pleasanton Library at 400 Old Bernal Avenue. Single day admission passes must be purchased in advance. Payment will not be accepted at the gym. Open Gym programs are held at Harvest Park Middle School Gym (4900 Valley Avenue), Thomas Hart Middle School Gym in Hacienda (4433 Willow Road), or Pleasanton Middle School Gym (5001 Case Avenue).

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.

To get information on Bocce, please contact Lifetime Activities at (925) 931-3449 or visit: www.lifetimeactivities.com/pleasanton. Pleasanton's bocce courts are located at Centennial Community Park, 5353 Sunol Boulevard, next to the Pleasanton Senior Center.

Volleyball

Pleasanton supports an Open Gym program for volleyball. However, this program is currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When it resumes, Open Gym Volleyball allows for pickup games and other activities that are less formal than league play. Be sure to visit www.pleasantonfun.com for details on this program. Game balls are provided. Purchase punch passes in-person at the Recreation office located in the Pleasanton Library at 400 Old Bernal Avenue. Single day admission passes must be purchased in advance. Payment will not be accepted at the gym. Open Gym programs are held at Harvest Park Middle School Gym (4900 Valley Avenue), Thomas Hart Middle School Gym in Hacienda (4433 Willow Road), or Pleasanton Middle School Gym (5001 Case Avenue).

Pickleball

Pleasanton also supports an Open Gym program for pickleball. However, this program is currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When it resumes, Open Gym Volleyball allows for pickup games and other activities that are less formal than league play. Be sure to visit www.pleasantonfun.com for details on this program. Game balls are provided. Purchase punch passes in-person at the Recreation office located in the Pleasanton Library at 400 Old Bernal Avenue. Single day admission passes must be purchased in advance. Payment will not be accepted at the gym. Open Gym programs are held at Harvest Park Middle School Gym (4900 Valley Avenue), Thomas Hart Middle School Gym in Hacienda (4433 Willow Road), or Pleasanton Middle School Gym (5001 Case Avenue).

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, located at 4455 Black Avenue, 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.

Adult lane reservations are available on Wednesdays in the evening and on Thursday mornings. Passes to the aquatic center are required for use of the pools. Be sure to visit www.pleasantonfun.com for details on adult swim programs.

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.usms.org/clubs/tri-valley-masters-741.

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 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. Interested participants can obtain details at: busc.org/pleasanton-adult-sunday-soccer-pass/.

Golf

Set in the foothills on the south edge of Pleasanton, the City's premier 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.