Whitney FriedlanderSee also:
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For all those sick of the gym but who are still holding tight to their New Year's resolution to get in shape, there's Zogsports. The social sports organization that brings together young professionals in places like New York and San Francisco basketball, bowling, soccer and other recreational sports and is launching March 17 in Los Angeles.
Founded in New York by Rob Herzog after he narrowly missed the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11, Zogsports' focus is heavy on the first word in “social sports leagues”. Each game ends at a bar for drinks and networking and there are organized group outings to wine tastings and river rafting, says ZogSportsLA General Manager Matt Worley. And, Worley says, Zogsports also focuses on giving back to the community.
“Charity is tied into everything,” says Worley. “Each team chooses a charity to play for each season … and the winner of your division gets a large check sent to the charity. We also have other ways to earn money for your charity with what we call Off Field Awards, so [awards for] best team name,” and others.
The costs to join the Zogsports leagues depend on the specific sport's length and location.
The Los Angeles Zogsports (#6) will launch in March with co-ed touch football, the organization's most popular activity, in Culver City, and plans to expand to other areas and activities based on need. Find out more at their launch party, happening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight at Rush Street in Culver City.
But, of course, Zogsports isn't the only social sports league in Los Angeles. Here are five others to consider:
L.A. Derby Dolls; Credit: Courtesy of Snap Shock
5. L.A. Derby Dolls
The L.A. Derby Dolls, the famed all-female, banked track roller derby league, has been kicking ass and taking names for nearly a decade. They've dubbed their downtown lair the Doll Factory. Off the track, the volunteer-run organization works with charities like Aids Walk Los Angeles and the domestic violence and sexual assault crisis agency Peace Over Violence. Get involved with the league through their Fresh Meat program. Other leagues, like the Angel City Derby Girls and the SFV Roller Derby, are also available.
Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Association (LAVRA); Credit: Courtesy of Gus Sarmiento
4. Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Assocation
Prefer bikes to skates? The volunteer-run LAVRA meets about every two weeks at the Home Depot Center's 250-meter indoor wood bicycling racing track. All riders are welcome after they pass a certification course. Don't want to play? Here's how to watch.
Planet Social Sports; Credit: Courtesy of Dan Kavenaugh
3. Planet Social Sports
Like Zogsports, Planet Social Sports has organized social events and sports leagues around the country. The Los Angeles chapter has leagues for cornhole (aka bean bag toss), kickball, soccer, softball and flag football.
2. Studio City Bowling League
A city known for Googie architecture and urban sprawl has no shortage of bowling leagues. Just one example: Studio City Bowling League, which touts itself as “one of America's largest gay bowling leagues.” They meet Thursday nights at PINZ Bowling Center in Studio City. Bowling chain AMF also encourages leagues.
World Dodgeball Society; Credit: Courtesy of @mikedor
1. World Dodgeball Society
Continue to blame Ben Stiller if you want, but it seems league dodgeball is here to stay. The World Dodgeball Society was born out of a league formed at the Hollywood Recreation Center in 2003 (which, they note on their website, predates Stiller's 2004 movie) and now has locations throughout the area and in other cities. They have also worked with charitable causes, such as a mustache-themed event for Movember, and also support after-game drinking/bonding. Other associations around the city include the splendidly inaccurately named Eagle Rock Yacht Club, which also has chapters that meet at Glassell Park on the east side, in North Hollywood and Venice. The club has dodgeball leagues for adults and works with inner city youth.
See also:
*10 Places in L.A. to Draw Nude Models
*Top 10 Bars With the Hottest Women in L.A.
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