Kicks, Swings, Strokes and Tackles: Spring Sports in Beijing
It's finally the season for outdoor play, and there are plenty of places in Beijing to get on your kicks, swings, strokes, tackles and throws. Here’s rundown on what the city has to offer in terms of amateur spring sports.
American flag football
Spring league registration is now open, with games starting April 3 and running every Saturday from 1 to 4 pm at Ditan Sports Stadium. Blue Frog is an official sponsor, which means food and drink specials are available during game days. There is a 64-player registration limit, so people are encouraged to act fast. Flag football games are also played every Sunday at 1:30 pm at Chaoyang Park.
Soccer
Ah, the other football (no hate mail please). The clumsily named though corporate-backed ClubFootball Midweek 5-a-side League is the biggest, most structured league on this list (China ClubFootball assigns a referee for every match). April 28 is the registration deadline for the second spring season, a seven-week affair that begins May 10. Participants can form their own teams or choose to be placed on one; see www.clubfootball.com.cn, mail play@wanguoqunxing.com or call 5130-6893/4/5/6 for details.
Softball
The Beijing Softball League (BSL) is preparing to launch its spring league, and interested parties should email co-commissioner Richard Liu, richardliu18@gmail.com. First game starts at noon on Sunday, April 4, at Chaoyang Sports Center. No worries if you don’t have gloves – “We do have league gloves that one can borrow,” Liu says. “We also introduce the game with hot dogs and pretzels – the key essentials to a real ballgame!”
Rugby
The Beijing Devils are one of five or so rugby clubs that play in a city-wide contact league (with scrums and such), but they also run a touch league – where contact is not allowed – that is beginner-friendly. Touch games begin this Sunday, 3 to 5 pm, at the Western Academy of Beijing (complete schedule here). Register at www.sportomation.com or contact Brent Abrahams, beijingtouch@yahoo.com. There is a registration fee for both contact and touch, though organizers are nice enough to let first-timers try the sport for free.
Ultimate Frisbee
Weekly pickup sessions are held at multiple locations at various times during the week. Expats are encouraged to attend Big Brother club team practices on Sundays at Dulwich College (players meet in front of Ginza Mall at Dongzhimen at 11 a.m. to carpool). Currently, Beijing Ultimate Committee leaders are busy organizing China Open, a national tournament to be held in Beijing on May 15-16. Those interested in Ultimate should contact… well, me, anthonytao13@gmail.com.
Water polo
Admittedly, it’s hard to enjoy the sun when you’re in an indoor pool, but these guys (and gals) are fun and dedicated to their sport. The Beijing Ducks water polo team is currently practicing every Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at the International School of Beijing in preparation for an April 17 home match vs. Shanghai. Newcomers can try for free! For more information, email Andy Young, richard.andrew.young@gmail.com.
