Sports can be socially beneficial

Bars are an easy solution to a long week at work or school. Are bars the only option, though, for 20-somethings in a thriving urban center such as Los Angeles? Absolutely not. If you’re looking to unwind and meet people, give recreational sports leagues a try — the positives will outweigh any apprehension you might have about organized athletic exercise.

Picture this scenario: It’s finally the weekend and you want to do something fun with your friends. The four or five previous workdays took an eternity to end and now all you want to do is let loose and have a good time. If you’re over 21, this fun activity will most likely involve making the trek to a bar somewhere. Therein lies the problem: Your night turns into a scavenger hunt for a bar that is close to home (because who wants to pay expensive cab fares?) but still hip and full of attractive people like yourself.

As reported by the Los Angeles Times in a recent article, the lesbian, gay and transgender communities here in Los Angeles and in other major U.S. cities have turned to recreational sports leagues as a superior alternative to bar-hopping.

The article highlights the recent trend by focusing on Varsity Gay League, a group of people from all walks of life, who get together to play the sports they enjoy. Moreoever, it is a way to forge new friendships and meet new people.

Let’s take a moment to consider the possibilities. Would you rather become friends with someone you gyrate against at a sweaty dance club in West Hollywood or a stranger you meet at a seedy Silverlake watering hole, or would you prefer someone who is active and group-oriented? The answer seems pretty obvious. While bars and clubs are fine choices for a night out every once in a while, they can become an extremely monotonous social routine.

This is why recreational sports leagues have become an alternative to social dependency upon drinking. The Varsity Gay League, for example, was started in 2007 when a group of pals initiated a spur-of-the-moment game of capture the flag in the park after a night of bar-hopping. Strangers joined in the game once they noticed how much fun everyone was having and soon league founder Will Hackner was inspired to start VGL. In addition to dodgeball and kickball, VGL also offers beach volleyball, tennis, quidditch, an annual Beer Olympics competition and other sports.

Now, it might be that running around with men in tight athletic gear isn’t your preferred social outlet (don’t ask me, some people are weird). Hackner’s Varsity Gay League, despite its name, welcomes everyone, no matter your sexual orientation. Besides VGL, there are also many other recreational sports leagues that have different focuses and demographics.

Do you have a recurring fantasy of playing dodgeball for a good cause, like a philanthropic version of Vince Vaughn in the aptly titled film Dodgeball ? Look no further than the Eagle Rock Yacht Club, whose dodgeball events work with Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department to donate to various charities. Meetup.com is also a quick way to find people around you who are interested in the same activities. And Justice Basketball League is another organization dedicated to providing an alternative for people who want to socialize while exercising.

Some people are not interested in outdoor or sports-related activities. It’s important to remember that no one is asking you to suddenly become a sports fanatic. Instead, think of it this way: Your body will definitely benefit from the exercise, and it will also thank you for taking a break from sugary alcoholic drinks that only leave you hungover in the morning. Most recreational leagues are very light on the competition and instead place an emphasis upon camaraderie and having a good time with your teammates.

Aside from the obvious health benefits, there are practical reasons to join a recreational sports league as well. VGL, for example, is free to join. On the other hand, hitting up bar after bar will definitely make a dent in your wallet. Even if you’re the type of person who is attractive enough to have his or her drinks paid for, there is still the cover charge to consider. Looks can only get you so far.

And if the monetary drawbacks of relying on bars as a social medium are not enough to deter you, transportation is the dealbreaker. Especially in a city such as Los Angeles, a city in which various neighborhoods are spread far and wide, getting around is a sport in and of itself. Nobody wants to be stuck as the designated driver for the night. And the possibility of using public transportation is almost a laughable matter. Though it is a viable option for some areas, such as getting to Downtown, it ultimately is not the city’s strong suit.

But in light of these negatives, the friend-making (or romance-finding) possibilities of an activity-based social situation are much more promising than the limited environment of a bar. People usually go to bars with one thing on their minds, and it probably isn’t the over-priced drinks. If you’re actually seeking to find someone with whom you can carry a conversation that isn’t drowned out by loud music, your best bet is a sport or fun activity that requires teamwork and actual socialization, not just grinding and glugging. Plus, you can have a fun new way to exercise.

If you’re still not convinced that joining a recreational sports league is a better weekend option than drinking at a bar, think of the outfit logistics. Who can resist an excuse to wear athletic short shorts and knee-high socks? That’s right. Nobody.

Nick Cimarusti is a senior majoring in English. His column “#trending” runs Wednesdays.