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Juice up your game and spice up your social life with co-ed volleyball, dodgeball, kickball, basketball or soccer. How? CascoBaySports.com and PortSportsMaine.com have got you covered.

By JUSTIN ELLIS, Staff Writer February 11, 2008

 

It almost always starts with a sign on a bulletin board and includes the phrase "looking for players."

Though many people recognize the flier for the company softball team or charity basketball squad and give it a pass, there are the few who eagerly take down a phone number while wondering if they've become too rusty.

The joys of taking part in a co-ed or adult recreation league -- getting exercise, meeting new people, reliving faded glory -- can sometimes be eclipsed by the logistics of taking part in a league -- fees, keeping up with schedules, scores and standings. There are a number of online solutions to the logistical problems, but they often leave out the fun, camaraderie and friendships that accompany on-field exploits.

Two small companies are trying to change that. They are each creating local social networks that combine all the necessary grunt work of putting together adult sports leagues, but also include the fun.

"I'm trying to create an active network, a central place for where people can go to find out what's going on," said Patrick Hackleman, sports director of Casco Bay Sports.

Created last fall, Casco Bay Sports offers league play in basketball and dodgeball for teams and individuals. This summer, it also plans to introduce indoor volleyball and flag football.

Most recently, CascoBaySports.com has added an interactive calendar of events, which members can add to, as well as a forum where players can set up profiles, discuss strategy, and talk about where to cool down post-game.

Hackleman previously ran a co-ed sports league in Boston. When he and his wife moved to Maine, they were looking for people who shared their interest in cycling and the outdoors.

Though the Portland area has softball as well as kickball leagues, he was surprised not to see more.

Hackleman said he wanted a comprehensive site because people see a computer as a obvious resource. When you want to find something, be it a restaurant or a biking club, you Google it.

"People sort of plan these things from their computers, at their jobs," he said. "They're looking for the easiest outlet."

In creating Casco Bay Sports, Hackleman said he wanted to mirror aspects of MySpace and Facebook, but offer a network that was not as large and filled with strangers. Though many adults may join co-ed leagues for the chance to stay fit, another big draw is meeting people, David Surkin said.

Surkin is the creator of the Port Sports Social Club, a site that furthers those ties between competition and camaraderie.

On PortSportsMaine.com, members can sign up for an upcoming season of kickball, soccer and flag football.

Both Port Sports and Casco Bay Sports charge individual or team fees to join a league, which goes to cover expenses such as playing space and shirts, as well as operating costs. They also see partnerships with local companies and other sponsors as a source of revenue.

Teams in Port Sports leagues will play for glory and trophies, but money from winning teams will also be donated to charity.

The Web site also allows members to set up profiles complete with photos, comments, videos and short blogs.

Surkin and his wife relocated to Maine from New York to raise their family. But like many transplants they were looking for opportunities to meet other people.

"What we're basically trying to do is build a community of people who want to play sports in a relaxed atmosphere," Surkin said.

Surkin said you can't ignore the relationship aspect of playing sports.

For people who look at the bar scene and find it intimidating, this offers an alternative.

The Web site takes that one step further. While teams may go out for drinks and stories following a game, the happy hour can continue...