Where to Play Pickup Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball in Boston

If you plan on visiting Boston soon, taking part in at least one pickup game could enhance your experience of the city this summer. And the great thing is that it does not matter what your age is, if you enjoy the sport, you can do it in Boston.

One of the best places to play pickup soccer is at the Carter Playground off of Columbus Avenue. Located on the South End of Boston, this "playground" has basketball, volleyball and soccer courts. This park is one of the few that have a soccer court, therefore, it is very busy, so proper planning is necessary. Continue reading to find out the best way to increase your chances of joining an "informal" game.

For soccer, also visit these parks which are located on the South Side are Ramsey Park on Washington Avenue, and Smith Pond Playground on Western Avenue. Both are good alternatives to the Carter Playground.[1] To attend the best turnout, try meeting on weekdays in the early afternoons and evenings, or on weekends in the mornings and early afternoons.

You may want to take part in an exciting basketball game in other parts of town. If so, try Pagoda Park on Kneeland and Fitzgerald streets in downtown Boston. Others include slightly north of downtown, Doherty Playground on Bunker Hill Street and Medford Streets. Smith Pond Playground also has basketball courts.[2] Wherever there is a basketball court, there are usually players. Getting there at the right time of day is the key. And it is always a good idea to have some alternative places to go to.

To further increase your chances of participating in a timely game that fits your schedule, communicate with those who are interested by registering to one or more of the pickup game meeting sites below and find out when a game is being put together. Otherwise, browse the parks mentioned above around 1:00 p.m. and join right in. Some good web sites to research are:

http://www.pickupgame.com

This site features a web page that has a map of the cities and corresponding pickup sports available.

http://www.findsportsnow.com

This site lists registered activities and programs that may conflict with your pickup game activity. Or they may have games that you can join. It is a good idea to check this site before you go.

http://pickupsoccer.meetup.com/cities/us/ma/boston/

This site allows you to register and be invited to a pickup game once one is started near you. I like this one because it encourages continuous sports activity in your area when you get back from your vacation.

http://www.meetup.com

You can communicate with a great deal of people who are extremely serious about not being serious about sports. This means more game selections for you.

As you can see, a good pickup game is a great way to spend an afternoon in Boston or any other city this summer. Since some teams may have no shows, your un-registered attendance may very well be needed to even out a team. You also can meet people who have similar interests.

For a well-rounded vacation, plan on adding at least one pickup game to your to-do-list. Allow yourself to have the best of both worlds: indulging in Boston's fine eateries and at least one sporting activity of a pickup game to help curb the effects of all that great Bostonian food!

[1] http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/pdfs/os3n.pdf, Accessed on July 9, 2008

[2] http://www.pickupgame.com/basketballcourtstennisgolfsoftball, Accessed on July 9, 2008