In rec leagues or pickup games, basketball is healthy fun for anyone

ST. PETERSBURG — Nate Walker moves easily around the 3-point arc of the basketball court at the Police Athletic League complex.

He's warming up before his regular Wednesday night game in Tampa Bay Club Sport's adult basketball league. He rarely misses.

Dribble, cock, swish. Shot after shot finds the bottom of the net.

"It is fun. It's cool," says Walker, 24, who only picked up the game in the past couple of years. If you saw him on the next-over treadmill at the gym, you'd just think he was a slightly taller than average everyman. But on this court, in this league, he is a star.

"Most of us are getting older, but it's nice to get out a couple nights a week and play ball."

Although President Obama's fondness for basketball is giving the game a little extra publicity, this is one sport that doesn't ride boom and bust years of trendiness. Once you learn the game, you're pretty much a player for as long as you can go.

The rewards: According to HealthStatus.com, an hour of half-court basketball burns about 670 calories. A full-court 60-minute session cooks almost 900 calories.

Compare that to an hour spent golfing in a cart (281 calories), low-impact aerobics (497 calories), or casual soccer (572 calories).

Who's it for? "Basketball is a game that is fun for all ages, toddler through senior, because it can be played in a variety of ways and levels," said Ashley Zarle, community relations director for the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. "Players are constantly running, jumping, shooting, passing and dibbling," she said. "It's a great total body workout."

Getting started: You probably already have gym clothes. A decent basketball will run you $20 or so. Good court shoes start at around $30.

Once you're equipped, you can find pickup games at your nearest community court or leagues run by local governments, YMCAs or pros such as Tampa Bay Club Sport. Remember, this is a demanding game, so make sure you're fit enough for bursts of speed, and pay attention to warmup drills.

What it costs: You can sign up an entire team or register individually and be placed on an existing team. Municipal or YMCA leagues generally cost about $300 per team to join; the fees are used to hire referees, which makes for a cleaner, smoother game.

Tampa Bay Club Sport charges $520 per team (or $75 for individuals) for a seven-game regular season plus playoffs. Each game features two referees and an official score keeper, who later posts players' stats online. The fee also includes team jerseys.

Leagues play in Tampa, Safety Harbor and St. Petersburg five nights a week, and each season is a sellout, said Tampa Bay Club Sport general manager and co-owner Chris Giebner.

The Tampa Sports and Social Club offers co-ed basketball in Brandon and Tampa as part of its mission to build social and professional relationships.

Logan Mabe is a St. Petersburg freelance writer who keeps a basketball in his car at all times.