A full slate of athletic activities and leagues is being offered this fall by the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, representing a way to keep kids and even adults active as summer draws to a close. Programs offered this season range from traditional sports like soccer, baseball and tennis to Tae Kwon Do.
Age-based soccer leagues range from U10 to U14 and are gender-specific, with registration for all programs listed at $175. This includes mid-week training sessions as well as weekend games. Additionally, an adult league to be held at New Waterlands Park has been planned with an entry cost of $35.
“Our South Mountain soccer leagues are very popular and fill up fast,” said Assistant Director of Recreation Kate Schmidt. “It’s essentially a full program right now except for a few (openings) in the boys’ U14 league.”
The final soccer option is the “MSO Kickers” program for ages 3 to 7 to be held at South Orange and Maplewood parks. Registration fees are available by contacting the Department of Recreation.

Five different fall baseball leagues are also available, with fees ranging from $45 to $65. These programs will take place at Meadowland Park at various evening times during the week and on Saturday mornings.

“Fall baseball does fill,” Schmidt said. “Our baseball and softball leagues are much larger in the spring, averaging nearly 1,300 (participants).”

Schmidt added that basketball leagues and drill clinics are becoming very popular with younger age groups. This fall, such programs are planned at the Baird’s outdoor courts on Saturdays and are split up by grades (first and second, third and fourth, and fifth through seventh, respectively). Registration is between $40 and $50, depending on Department of Recreation membership.

Tae Kwon Do classes are plentiful as an alternative to team sports. Schmidt said the instructor for the sessions is one of the main reasons behind the surging popularity and increasing rate of registration.

Sessions range from adult-specific classes to programs designed for children with special needs. All sessions are held at the Baird with registration between $115 and $195, depending on the class.

 

Aside from soccer, the fall tennis program is the most extensive offered. For around $100 to $140, one can sign up for age-tailored instructional courses at the Meadowland Park tennis courts for both children and adults. Most programs run until the end of October or early November on weekday evenings.

Despite the seemingly comprehensive activity plans, Schmidt said a partnership between South Orange and Maplewood offers even more choices.

“We try to coordinate our efforts and cooperate fully with each other,” Schmidt said. “We try to not overlap. For example, while South Orange offers soccer, Maplewood offers lacrosse.”

This relationship is seemingly a result of both the proximity of the villages and space limitations.

“Space is an issue, causing problems for expansion (of programs),” Schmidt said. “Sports that used to be single-season are now multi-season. We find ourselves limited by fields and gym time.”

Even with these conflicts, the leagues can attract those from outside the two villages. Schmidt added that those outside South Orange and Maplewood can register for openings in most activities “as a rule of thumb, a week before” they begin. Baseball is an exception to this rule, due to the league’s association with the Cal Ripkin/Babe Ruth leagues.

To register online for Baird programming, click here.