League of Their Own: SD Sports Leagues

Beer, boobs, lines, jams, wickets and hookers! It sounds like a fraternity party shopping list, the sort of thing one might find in a six-week overdue college library book. But in reality, it's all stuff that has to do with amateur sports in town — Over-The-Line, roller derby, cricket and rugby to be exact. Being as San Diego's such a fair-weather city that's bubbling over with transplants from around the globe, it's no surprise that there's a whole slew of amateur sporting leagues around town playing many different sports and inventing a few of their own along the way.

Tired of football and baseball? Looking for something new to do on the nights and weekends? Want to meet some cool people? Here's some alternatives. Go be a spectator and catch a match for cheap (or free!). Or, put down the Doritos and remote, get involved, and get some exercise for a change.

Discover some San Diego sport leagues to get your game on.

San Diego Cricket Club
Most Americans think of cricket as an extremely confusing game that riles up British people, and a game that takes five days to finish — not good for our short little American attention spans. The good news is that cricket is no more complex than baseball and most of the San Diego cricket leagues play one day matches (that finish up in a few hours). The San Diego Cricket Club fields teams in the Southern California Cricket Association's league and has test matches every weekend at Canyonside Community Park outside Mira Mesa. Its members are regular adds to Team USA in the World Cricket League tournament (this year happening in Italy), and they're always looking to add new bowlers and batsmen. Check out Dreamcricket.com/sdcc for more information.

Over-The-Line
A San Diego invention, Over-The-Line (a form of softball) has exploded in popularity. 2010's world championships drew more than 1,200 teams from every corner of the globe and the whole sport has gained notoriety as a bawdy spectator sportm where tournies attract thousands of spectators, alcohol appreciators and public nudity enthusiasts. But an honest-to-goodness game takes place, and a fun one at that. Besides the many pick-up games and social leagues in the area, the OTL Player's Association sanctions tournaments of their own year-round, usually on Fiesta Island. They post upcoming tournaments on their website, along with rules, regulations and registration information. For more information, visit Otlpa.org.

Rugby at the Little Q
Of the several developmental and recreational rugby leagues in San Diego, The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club's club is probably best known. One of the elite U.S. Rugby teams, they have won several U.S. Tournaments and often host matches with international teams. OMBAC Rugby holds matches and practices every few evenings out at the Little Q next to Qualcomm Stadium and is always looking to add new members to the fold. For more information, visit Ombac.org

San Diego Lions
The Lions are San Diego's Division One Australian Rules Football team (a.k.a. the AFL). Aussie Rules Football — or "footy" as they call it Down Under — is a unique mix of soccer and rugby played on an enormous eliptical field, where two teams of 18 punt-pass a football towards two sets of narrow goal posts and ... ehh, there's more to it than we can even list. Let's just say it's a very exciting, fast-paced, high energy game with lots of scoring and (for the ladies) lot's of attractive fellows in short-shorts. Ball-up! Visit Sandiegolions.com for more information.

San Diego Derby Dolls
The new millenium has seen a resurgence in the time-honored sport of women's roller derby. There are several Derby Dolls teams who, when they aren't beating each other up, assemble as an all-star squad of gals that delight in roughing up other derby squads from L.A., Vegas and beyond. Roller Derby is an outrageously fun spectator sport. Every track's got a half-crazed MC, the girls have huge personalities to match names like "Buster Teethin" and diverse crowds come out to hoot and holler. San Diego Derby Dolls have matches every weekend at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Visit SD.derbydolls.com for more information.

Discover more San Diego sports and visit our entertainment blog for more tips and trends.