Ready? Set? Play

Spring came a little early to Birmingham this year, and it’s in full force — time to get outside, exercise and lose those winter pounds. But you don’t have to resort to the same old athletic pursuits. There are several fun, unusual options for sports and recreation in the Magic City this spring and summer. So try something you’d never done before. You’ll likely have a blast and even meet some cool new friends.

Disc golf

Disc Golf Birmingham hosts league play on a permanent course at George Ward Park on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. during its spring season, ending May 10, and its summer season, May 24 through Aug. 30. The sport has several advantages, according to Ben Swam, the group’s president. 

“It’s definitely inexpensive,” he said. “It’s for all ages. It’s good exercise. It’s not tough on you. And it’s a year-round sport here in Alabama.” 

Membership is $20 a year. For details, go to the group’s Facebook page or email board@discgolfbirmingham.com.

Kickball

This old playground game is increasingly popular among adults, and Birmingham has its own league at George Ward Park created by GO Kickball in Atlanta. The league draws about 1,500 players a week, according to Austin Boyd, GO Kickball’s local contact. 

“You don’t have to be athletic to play,” Boyd said. “It’s a good time.” 

Games are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Tentative start dates for the eight-week summer season are May 31 and June 1. 

For information, including fees and registration, go to gokickball.com/birmingham.

Cricket

This very British sport is represented here by Birmingham Cricket Club, which has its own field at East Thomas Park and is part of the Cricket League of Alabama. 

The league has six teams, including four in Birmingham, according to Rajen Shah, a club officer. 

“Cricket is considered a gentleman’s game and one of the top 10 sports in the world,” he said. 

Shah said the club welcomes anyone who wishes to play, even those new to the sport. The season lasts from March to early November and plays practice matches almost every Sunday. 

Membership is $150, covering about 25 games per year. Students receive a discount.

For contact information, go to birminghamcricket.wordpress.com. 

Rugby

This rough-and-tumble British sport, an antecedent of American football, is played in the spring, summer and fall by the Birmingham Vulcans, part of the Birmingham Rugby Club Foundation. 

And though the Vulcans’ spring season ends April 8 at home against Memphis, that’s actually a good time for new players to get involved, according to Michael Laney, a club vice president. 

“They can join any time,” Laney said. “We practice all year round, except December.”

Even total newbies to rugby are welcome, according to club vice president Zachary Ronk. 

“We’ll teach you how to play from scratch,” he said. “We’re happy to have you regardless of age, size or gender.” In fact, the club is interested in fielding a women’s team if they can recruit enough players, according to Ronk.

A good time to visit is during the club’s community two-hand touch rugby sessions, hosted at Ramsay Park the second Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. Anybody ages 6 and older can play, and it’s free, according to Laney. 

“It’s a no-pressure, no-cost way to try rugby,” he said.

The club also has a youth program for boys and girls ages 6-11 and boys ages 12-18. 

First-time players and full-time students can play a fall or spring season for $60, according to the club’s website. 

For details, check out Birmingham Vulcans Rugby on Facebook or Twitter or go to birminghamrugby.com.

Ultimate

Ultimate, also called Ultimate Frisbee, is organized by the Birmingham Ultimate Disc Alliance. Its summer league — a good time for new players to break in, according to club president Steve Millburg — meets at various locations Thursday nights, beginning about May 11 and continuing through early August. 

BUDA also hosts two days of open play a week during its season at Homewood’s Patriot Park on Sundays from 1-3 p.m. and at Levite Jewish Community Center — if available —Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. Those games are free and are open to all, regardless of age, skill or experience, Millburg said. It costs $65 to play a full season. 

For details, including contact information and sign-up dates, go to birmingham.ultimatecentral.com. 

Other diversions

Do you have a hunger to climb rocks but want to start in a controlled environment? Check out First Avenue Rocks, an indoor facility on First Avenue South downtown. It also has a newer, larger sister facility, Birmingham Boulders. Call 320-2277 or 201-4616 or go to firstaverocks.com.

If you’ve never ridden a zip line, you can try it at Red Mountain Park Adventure Area. The Vulcan Materials Zip Trip is an hour-long tree-top tour, and The Mega Zip at the Kaul Adventure Tower is a 1,000-foot thrill ride. For details, including prices, go to redmountainpark.org.

If you want jump on a trampoline or play dodgeball, check out Steel City Jump Park at the Crestwood Festival Center. Call 683-5867 or go to steelcityjump.com.

Archery tag, sometimes called “combat archery,” is available for your party, school function or corporate event courtesy of Birmingham’s A.I.M (Always In Motion). Call 602-8836 or go to aimalways.com.