Indoor Sports for Adults in Springfield

Ever think back to the good old days of being on a sports team? Adrenaline pumping as you went for the winning goal, or nailed the volleyball right in that sweet spot where there’s no chance of return. Maybe you were on a streak of knocking it out of the ball park, or got this much closer to a hole-in-one. Or maybe you watched from the sidelines, losing your voice from bellowing out to your teammates, rooting them on like your life depends on it. Whatever your role was on the field, the court or the sidelines, there’s always one important thing to gain from sports leagues: camaraderie. So, don’t hang up your uniform just yet. You’re never too old to enjoy a little friendly competition.

Chris Martin, general manager of Betty and Bobby Allison Sports Town, has seen how beneficial adult sports leagues can be. He notes just a small aspect of it: the health benefits. Martin says that adult sports not only provide a good opportunity for exercise, but they also promote flexibility and mobility, and offer a good alternative for staying active during winter. Martin also highlights the role that adult sports play in mental health. “They can relieve stress, and improve mood and outlook,” he says. “The social benefits and sense of community go such a long way towards improving mental health.”

Throughout Springfield, there are several venues that promote recreational sports leagues for adults. With no experience required, the only thing that is required is good sportsmanship. With winter upon us, this could be the perfect hobby to build a new sense of friendship and healthy competition during the grayest time of the year.

Volleyball Beach Ozark has a full tournament calendar for February and March. They offer open play every Friday from 5–10 p.m., and on Sundays from 1–6 p.m. They also have 4v4 leagues from 6–8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, along with 6v6 leagues from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesdays. See the website for league availability and for registration details if you’re interested.

Additionally, Betty and Bobby Allison Sports Town offers open gyms year-round for basketball, soccer and volleyball. They are open to both youth and adults every Friday from noon–4 p.m. More details can be found online.

If you’re looking for some more options, Springfield-Greene County Park Board has other sports leagues going on, such as archery, pickleball, volleyball and softball. They offer their Adult Archery Club sessions year-round on Tuesdays from 3–7 p.m., ages 21 years and up. An annual USA Archery adult or family membership is required for $30, along with an $8 fee per session. Their adult volleyball league runs February 24 to April 14; see parkboard.org/volleyball for more information and to register. Additionally, one of their most popular leagues right now is pickleball. They provide open play pickleball at several locations year-round. See parkboard.org/pickleball to view times, dates and pricing for each of the four venues: Chesterfield Family Center, Dan Kinney Family Center, Doling Family Center and O’Reilly-Tefft Gymnasium.