GET YOUR GAME FACE ON

BY KENDRA GEMMA

ARE YOU FEELING LEFT OUT AS SCHOOL SPORTS START UP? YOU DON’T HAVE TO! ADULT ATHLETIC LEAGUES AND CLINICS ABOUND IN MANATEE COUNTY. FIND YOUR FAVORITE SPORT OR DISCOVER A NEW ONE THIS FALL. NO MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE, YOU CAN RELIVE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS ON THE FIELD OR THE COURT BY JOINING A TEAM. YOU’LL GET SOME EXERCISE WHILE EXPANDING YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE. WHAT COULD BE BETTER?

MULTIPLE SPORTS

Did you recently move to our area, or do you simply want to make new friends? Try a social sports club. Both MVP Sports and Social Club and SoCo Club Sport offer co-ed adult leagues in Manatee County. Compete in a variety of traditional sports – such as basketball, softball, and baseball – or have fun challenging yourself and your opponents in cornhole, mini golf, bowling, or disc golf.

Depending on the sport, you can sign up as an individual and be placed on a team, register with a few people, or create your own team.

Venues range from an indoor court for volleyball to a golf club for 9-hole scramble golf to Motorworks Brewing for cornhole.

No matter which sport you choose, they all usually include team shirts and other swag with their fees. Equipment is always provided.

Check MVP Sports’ and SoCo Club Sport’s websites for current schedules and details on the different leagues. Most are open to all levels of experience, so you should feel welcome even if you’re new to the sport. Bonus: Since they’re social clubs as well, eating and drinking often follow the games.

Manatee County Sports and Leisure Services also has adult league sports, although the selection is more limited (and you won’t enjoy officially sanctioned social time). You will be able to sign up to play flag football, softball, basketball, and kickball. Most sports are co-ed, and you can join as part of a team or as a free agent. However, the county won’t place you on a team. Instead, you’ll be added to a list of pick-up players for teams that need to fill out their rosters. Keep in mind that equipment is generally not supplied. Consult your chosen sport’s FAQs to learn what you need to bring.

If you’re already a member of the YMCA of Southwest Florida or you’ve been considering joining, look into their adult sports leagues. Basketball, softball, and even martial arts may be available at your local branch.

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL

Whether you’re a pitcher, catcher, or outfielder, the Manatee Baseball League
could be a perfect fit for you. The 19+ recreational league has been around since 1992. Because teams play year ’round, roster assignments and registration happen on a rolling basis. Games are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at Lakewood Ranch Park. Walk-ups are welcome, and so are players of any skill level.

Players over 60 have another option. Bradenton Senior Softball competes 52
weeks of the year. Organized leagues take the field between January and April with pick-up games filling the rest of the calendar. Bring your own shoes and a glove, as well as a bat, if you have one. During league play, team shirts will be provided. Most games begin at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Weekly batting practice happens on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.

RACQUET SPORTS

For more individualized play, take a swing at a racquet sport. Tennis anyone? The county offers seasonal league play on clay courts. Register for the fall season in September and begin league play in October. Sign up as an individual or with a partner for doubles.

Experienced pickleball players may want to become a member of the Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club. It’s inexpensive, and there is social league play every Saturday. Newbies can attend free introductory clinics on the first Saturday of each month.

For less of a commitment to pickleball, head to UMR Sports on Upper Manatee Road for open play round-robin pickleball. Non-club members pay just $10 to take part in Friday Night Lights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Bring your pickleball paddle, cash, and your friendly competitive spirit.

As you jump into the world of competitive sports this season, we can’t promise you’ll feel like a kid again, but you’ll definitely have fun and make new friends.