The players clubs

Basketball

Liga De Basketball Azteca
Level of play “There are three divisions for men with 40 teams in each division, plus veterans’ [older than 35] and women’s divisions,” says club member Berto Ocampo. “It’s good to know the basics, but the most important thing is to have knowledge of the game.”

Time commitment
“We play on Sunday mornings through the afternoons, and our team practices once a week.”

Camaraderie factor
“It’s friendly: League players always stay to watch other games. And Hispanics will bring grandmas, moms, brothers, little sisters, and they’ll stick around and have a little picnic.”

Wild card
“At the championships, they introduce every player. They put the trophies in the middle of the court—you win, you take it with you.”
How to join
Call Francisco, 773-456-1848 ($300 per team, plus $30 weekly team fee). Plays at Humboldt Park (1400 N Sacramento Ave).

Pre-season prep
Getting in shape is easy if you have Bobby Knight screaming at you. Lacking that, do your own baseline-to-baseline sprints and backpedaling drills. Evan McDowell, an exercise physiologist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, also notes squats will bring air to your vertical—hold a medicine ball above your head and jump. Try two to three sets of 15 to 20 reps. Plus, the medicine ball is great for practicing chest passes with a partner.—Rod O’Connor

Other options
If you’re serious about hoops, consider the Shedd Park Classic League (3660 W 23rd St; call the park’s Johnny Johnson at 773-762-3168), which runs all summer on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Up to 12 men’s teams hit the courts in front of an enthusiastic neighborhood crowd ($400 for a team of 12).

If your vertical falls short of M.J.’s and you’re not quite as hardcore about your basketball, check out the Chicago Park District coed leagues. (www.chicagoparkdistrict.com; Rainbow Beach league costs $110 per team; other parks vary according to location. Some are free, others cost $5 or more.) There’s a coed summer league at 63rd Street on the west side of Lake Shore Drive, and another at Rainbow Beach (3111 E 71st St). Both take place on weeknights and offer games for everyone from tiny tots to adult ballers.

Running

Fleet Feet Racing Team
Level of play You’ll need to join the Chicago Area Runners Association (www.cararuns.org; CARA membership costs $38 and up). But the fun runs are open to all. “The racing team requires a commitment to volunteer at and participate in CARA races, but you don’t have to qualify with a time,” says Fleet Feet team harrier Ayca Gokcen.

Time commitment “The fun runs are twice a week, and they also have city tours and weekly women’s runs.”

Camaraderie factor “We often wake up at 5am, get coffee and carpool to out-of-town races. It’s a bonding experience.”

Wild card “It’s a group of fun, active people, and they’re a little less strict than some clubs. It’s more about striving to do your best.” The fee also gets you team apparel.

How to joinwww.fleetfeetchicago.com (Fun runs are free; racing team is $50, and you pay your own race-entrance fees)

Pre-season prep
To prevent shin splints, work your shin muscle by wrapping a resistance tube around the top of your foot and tying it to something stationary. Sit on the ground with your legs in front of you, and flex your foot toward your face; then slowly return to the starting position. Do a few sets of 15 to 20 reps with each leg.—Rod O’Connor

Other options
The Lincoln Park Pacers (www.lincolnparkpacers.org, $20 a year) host five-mile lakefront runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The jaunts start at the lakefront path and end at nearby restaurants.

Combine running, food and beer on Running Away Chicago’s Tuesday-night free “fun runs” (www.runningawaychicago.com, 1753 N Damen Ave). Runners stash their clothes at the store and head out on 3-, 4.5- or 7-mile jaunts, then reconvene at Wicker Park pizza joint Piece (1927 W North Ave, 773-772-4422). To escape the city, the group goes to Palos Forest Preserve (12700 S 104th Ave, Palos Park) to run on Sunday mornings.

If you’re more interested in getting fit than getting some snacks, Run Chicago, a running store in Forest Park (www.runchicago.net, 7239 W Madison St, Forest Park; most training programs cost around $150 for seven months), offers clinics and customized coaching. RC also has several morning and after-work training sessions at parks around the city, and in Oak Park and Lake Forest.

Softball

Chicago Sport and Social Club
Level of play “They offer leagues for all levels of competition, so you don’t have to be a superstar to join,” says slugger Brian Planey. “I play on a men’s league, but they have coed leagues.”

Time commitment “The games are one hour a week. My team meets for one practice before the season.”

Camaraderie factor “They hand out coupons for free drinks at sponsor bars. They also pass out flyers to let you know of social events. Our team drinks together after the games. Technically, you’re not supposed to have beer in Grant Park, but….”

Wild card “Sport” is balanced with the “social,” Planey says: “My teammates and I knew each other, but if you want to sign up as an individual, they can match you with a team.” And the league provides the umpire and the schedule. All you have to do is play ball.

How to joinwww.chicagosportandsocialclub.com ($85–$100 per individual, $750–$1,050 per team)

Pre-season prep
Fast hands are the key to success at the plate, so use resistance tubes or cable-driven machines with very low weight to simulate batting or wood-chopping movements. McDowell suggests performing two to three sets of ten to 15 reps. Shortstops may want to seek out a Reebok Sliding Board (available at many gyms), which uses special booties and a slick surface for lateral-movement workouts. Have a buddy toss you a small medicine ball as you slide back and forth to brush up on your fielding technique.—Rod O’Connor

Other optionsSports Monster (www.sportsmonster.net) offers recreational, intermediate, and competitive leagues for 12-inch and, of course, 16-inch softball.

For a shorter softball stint, try Players Sports’ (www.playerssports.com) three-week men’s and coed double-header leagues at Clarendon (4501 N Clarendon Ave), Eckhart (1330 W Chicago Ave) and Waveland (3800 N Lake Shore Dr) parks, or the 16-inch league at Pulaski Park (1419 W Blackhawk St). It also has a traditional season, and it’s hatching plans for a group bus outing to Resorts Casino in East Chicago, Indiana.

If you want to play through August, try Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association’s North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance–sanctioned, mostly men’s (but women are welcome, as are hetero players) leagues (www.chicagomsa.com) for beginning, intermediate and competitive athletes at Margate (4921 N Marine Dr) and Clarendon Parks. For softball aficionados, there’s a women-only 11-inch league, too.

Rugby

Chicago Griffins
Level of play “I play on the U.S. National team as well, but we have divisions for all ages and experience levels—for instance, we have a 42-year-old rookie,” says member Michael Mangan, 30.

Time commitment “We practice twice a week and play on Saturdays. All players are welcome to travel—very cheaply—to out-of-town games.”

Camaraderie factor “We play out-of-town teams, so after home games, we take our opponents to the Black Rock (3614 N Damen Ave, 773-348-4044). And we’re going to Spain as a group for the running of the bulls.”

Wild card “We travel frequently, and a lot of Chicagoland players came from other countries, so you get to experience different cultures and walks of life.”How to join www.chicagogriffins.com ($50 first year, $100 each year thereafter)

Other options
Rugby’s not just for broken-nosed men from former British colonies. The Chicago Area Rugby Football Union boasts South Side Irish (www.southsideirishrugby.com; $75 first year, $150 each year after), North Shore Women (www.northshorerugby.com; $60–100, plus $35 annual fee), Lincoln Park RFC (www.lprfc.com, $120) and the gay Chicago Dragons (www.chicagodragons.org, $125).

Each group has separate competitive and social teams, with twice-weekly practices and Saturday-afternoon games. All host off-the-field events, ranging from poker parties to bachelor auctions to holiday bowling extravaganzas.

The Irish and Women play home games at Gaelic Park (147th St and Ridgeland Ave, Oak Forest), Lincoln Park RFC’s home games take place at the south end of, umm, Lincoln Park (Clark St at LaSalle Dr, near the North Ave footbridge) and the Dragons (who admit that no player has ever attempted public transportation to their venue, so they provide carpool networks) take the field at Lerner Park (7000 N Sacramento Ave, Lincolnwood).

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Chicago
Level of play “It’s a fringe sport, so they welcome everyone and offer incentives to bring in women and beginners,” says member Purvi Patel, 24. Time commitment “League games are Saturdays, but there are pick-up games three nights a week.”

Camaraderie factor “We go to Piece after games for beer specials and free pizza. And there’s a list-serve to connect [players] for events. On one random weekend, you could end up driving to Wisconsin to play with people you’ve never met.” Wild card “It’s close-knit, and they make it easy for beginners to play with higher-level players.”

How to joinwww.ultimatechicago.orgwww.ultimatechicago.org ($30 per league)

Other options
If you like to go “ho” and can throw a wicked “hammer,” you may want to play on a competitive-level club team affiliated with the national Ultimate Players Association. Local UPA clubs include the coed Xolo (www.xolo.adamverner.com; membership in the UPA costs $40, www.upa.org).

Those looking for one-night stands can satiate their disc desires with Ultimate Chicago’s free pickup games at 7pm Mondays at Grant Park (1100 S Michigan Ave), 7:45pm Tuesdays at Clarendon Park (4501 N Clarendon Ave) or in the sand at Montrose Beach, 8pm Thursdays at Kilbourn Park (4400 N Lake Shore Dr) and 1:30pm Sundays at Clark Park (3400 N Rockwell St).

Cycling

Chicago Cycling Club
Level of play “For the social rides, you can use your grandma’s rusty old Schwinn,” says biker Corina Schusheim. “Touring rides are a workout at 14–17 mph for 45–60 miles. Training rides are at 20–25 mph and you need a fast, lightweight, narrow-tired bike.”

Time commitment “There are rides every Saturday and Sunday in season, and also weeknight rides.”

Camaraderie factor “It’s a good opportunity to meet people. One member met a woman riding an old-fashioned–style Rivendell like his and they’re getting married this summer.”

Wild card The club offers “Great jerseys and great rides. I’m leading a Mies van der Rohe architecture tour; we had a Tour de la Chateau Blanc [White Castle restaurants]; there’s a Tour de Beer in Wisconsin; and there’s a Krispy Kreme ride, where you consume twice the calories you just burned.”

How to join www.chicagocyclingclub.org ($18 membership)

Pre-season prep
Endurance is the name of the game for cyclists, so put down People magazine and pick up the pace between your weight training sets to keep your heart rate up. Start at the Smith machine for squats—that’s the one where you push a barbell up a vertical track. Then move to seated curls and leg extensions. On the stationary bike, keep rotations per minute between 90 and 110, and mix in some interval sprints in excess of 140 rpm.—Rod O’Connor

Other options
The friendly Cycling Sisters (www.cyclingsisters.org; membership free, workshops $5) offers something for the ladies. Whether a girl wants to fix her own flats, build her own bike, or ditch her car, this women-only organization offers tips on clothing, cargo, and biking with kids, as well as workshops on basic and advanced mechanics.

South Side cyclists should check out the Chicago Major Taylor Bike Society (membership free; e-mail Keith@biketraffic.org), named after the trailblazing turn-of-the-century African-American cyclist. Despite being refused entry to many races and once being pulled off his bike and choked by a furious competitor, Taylor broke speed records and became known as “the world’s fastest human.” The group advocates for South Side cycling issues, and also organizes events such as the Father’s Day Unity Ride, which will cover about 25 miles, into Indiana and back (June 18). Check the website for start time and location to be announced.

Volleyball

Chicago Sport and Social Club
Level of play “They’ve got all levels, whether you want to compete or just get outside and play,” says player Lara Bursch.

Time commitment “It’s one night a week, but I sub with different teams. You can pick up games all over the city.”

Camaraderie factor “If you just moved to town and want to meet people, they’ll find a team for you. They have mixers for when you’re done. Or you can play, take off and get back to your regular life.”

Wild card The teams hit the sand at North Avenue Beach. “You’re right in front of the city and next to the water. When you get there, the ball’s out, the nets are up, you know who you’re playing, and they e-mail if there’s a cancellation. You just have to remember to bring your shorts to work that day.”

How to joinwww.chicagosportandsocialclub.com ($85–$100 per individual, $750–$1,050 per team)

Pre-season prep
Work on your quick-jumping ability. McDowell recommends finding an adjustable plyometric box (get one at your gym). Set it anywhere from 24 to 36 inches high and jump onto it, first from directly in front, then from either side. To sharpen spikes, tie a resistance band to a piece of fitness equipment with a vertical frame (just above your shoulder), face the other direction and simulate spikes with your dominant arm.—Rod O’Connor

Other options
Pizza and beer are a big part of the draw at Spike Volleyball (www.spikevolleyballchicago.com; Tournaments $120 per team, Luau $50 per person). The organization hosts games throughout the city, including the Broadway Armory (5919 N Broadway), Kilbourn Park (3501 N Kilbourn Ave), Bunker Hill Woods (6600 N Caldwell Ave) and La Bagh Woods (5300 N Cicero Ave). There’s also an end-of-season blowout luau tournament at Morton Grove’s St. Paul Woods (6400 Oakton St, Morton Grove).

Everywhere else, it’s still all about the beach. Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association, the city’s gay league (www.chicagomsa.com; $400 for 4–10 person team, plus $20 for membership), schedules four-on-four men’s and women’s games at Montrose Beach.

Polish your serve at Players Sports’ (www.playerssports.net; $95 per season, outdoor) classes at Windy City Fieldhouse (2367 W Logan Blvd). Then sign up for one of Players’ more than 500 competitive and recreational teams, which play at Montrose (4400 N Lake Shore Dr) and North Avenue (1600 N Lake Shore Dr) beaches.

Soccer

Players Sports Chicago
Level of play “We’re not playing in the World Cup, but we do look for good, intermediate-level players,” says member Shwan Hamed. “But everyone gets the same share of playing time.”

Time commitment “We practice on Tuesday nights and play on Saturday mornings for an hour. But they have Sunday and weeknight leagues, too.” Camaraderie factor “I joined because I’d moved here from St. Louis and didn’t know anyone. Now I have a bunch of friends that I see on the field and off. We’ll go eat or drink after the games, and sometimes people bring boyfriends or girlfriends to practice.”

Wild card “I like coed leagues because there’s no slide tackling. Nobody likes losing, but I’ve played in more aggressive leagues where the referee can’t control the game. I’m kind of at the age where I don’t look forward to getting hurt.”

How to joinwww.playerssports.net, 312-919-9116 or 312-617-2060, ($95 per individual, $1,040–$1,140 per team)

Pre-season prep
Soccer doesn’t require balls-out sprinting like some sports, but the constant motion and quick starts and stops call for steady interval training. Try running at about 75 percent speed for 400 to 1,000 meters, walk for about 45 seconds, then start running again. Keep it up for a half hour if you can, and as you train, increase the distance or time but not the speed. For strength training, stand-up, cable-driven machines are best for simulating hip-flexing and straight-leg–kicking movements.—Rod O’Connor

Other options
You don’t have to be Irish to join the Chicago Celtic Soccer Club (www.chicagocelticsoccerclub.com, $200 per individual). The club’s home field is in Northfield, and social events include gatherings at River North’s Fadó Irish Pub (100 W Grand Ave).

Chicago Sport and Social Club (www.chicagosportandsocialclub.com; $85–$100 per individual, $780–1,150 per team) can match you and a friend with a team. The coed eight-person or 11-person leagues offer free T-shirts and drink specials after games.

Sports Monster (www.sportsmonster.net; $85 individual, $620–$995 per team) has several levels of men’s, women’s and coed competitive leagues on nights and weekends at six North Side parks. It also offers beginners-level eight-on-eight coed games on a shortened field with no goalies. You can also join Social Monster, which plans eight or more outings a month. Recent events include a Clark Street pub crawl and sushi at Japonais (600 W Chicago Ave, 312-822-9600).

Tennis

World TeamTennis
Level of play There are three skill divisions, from advanced to recreational, “but you should still know how to play,” says tennis player John Hancir. Time commitment Games are Wednesday nights. “The advanced level has more experienced players who usually competed in high school or college. There’s also a pro division—at the national level—with players like Anna Kournikova and Pete Sampras.”

Camaraderie factor “You certainly do meet people, and because it’s a smaller league, you get to know them a little better.”

Wild card This league’s organizers have their shit together, which means you won’t get decked out in your flouncy whites only to waste a night playing the wall. Plus, if you’re really good, there’s a chance to show off your form: “If you win locally, you have the opportunity to attend the national qualifier.”

How to join Plays at Waveland Park, www.wtt.com, 312-909-2452 ($73 per individual or $412 for a six-person team)

Other options
The setup for Second City Tennis’ (www.chicagomsa.com/tennis; $35, plus $20 membership in the CMSA) competitive gay singles league sounds like a blind date: You and your opponent set up a time, find your own court and e-mail in the scores. There’s also recreational doubles at Diversey Courts (2800 N Lake Shore Dr), where it’s all about the shoes—because they’re clay courts, only real tennis shoes are allowed.

Chicago Sport and Social Club (www.chicagosportandsocialclub.com; $100 for singles, $280 per doubles team and $450 per four-person team) offers singles, mixed-doubles and mixed-team options at Grant Park (500 S Columbus Dr) and Diversey Courts. Cost is at least $100 a person.

For a cheaper game, the Chicago Park District Tennis Association (www.eteamz.active.com/cpdta, $85 per two-person team) hosts men’s and women’s teams at 42 parks across the city. Each six-person team divides up for two singles and three doubles matches.

Kickball

Chicago Kickball
Level of play “You get a little exercise, but it’s not going to kill you,” says booter Stephanie Morse, 32.

Time commitment “We play on Wednesdays at 6:30 or 7:15. Practices are pretty informal.”

Camaraderie factor “It’s a community. Teams who play early provide referees for the later games and vice versa. Then we all go to a sponsor bar and eat, drink and play the ‘flip cup’ drinking game.”

Wild card “We just have fun. One team would come with a weekly theme—white-trash prom, or a birthday party where a guy’s dressed like a clown the entire game. They’d bring a boom box and announce each player with individual theme songs.”

How to join Plays at Chase Park, www.chicagokickball.com (about $50 per person)

Other options
You didn’t even know that there was a World Adult Kickball Association (www.kickball.com, $70)? Oh, but there is, and its tentacles spread far. IL Deep Dish is WAKA’s local division, which coordinates coed teams at Chase Park (4701 N Ashland Ave). WAKA provides jerseys and equipment; you provide the team. Postmatch mixers mean you have a chance to hang with your fellow kickballers after the game. The Chicago division was finalizing its pick of a designated “division bar” at press time.

Chicago Sport and Social’s coed recreational league (www.chicagosportandsocialclub.com, $650–$750 per team, or $75–$85 per individual) follows grade-school rules, and it requires each team to include six men and four women.

Players Sports (www.playerssports.net, $95) facilitates two open-division leagues (all abilities, no restrictions) at Brands Park (3529 N Elston Ave). You’re guaranteed eight games and a T-shirt, but you can top it with a sweet playoff sweatshirt if your team makes it that far.

For a comprehensive list of spring and summer sporting events, including league sign-up deadlines, see Sports.