Next Level has truly helped my team get to the Next Level. On rainy days I bring my girls here…read more Pitchers can get in work and there are multiple stations fir hitters to work while they wait to hit off the machines. I've even hit ground balls to my team in here. But the real value is in the private lessons. Many of my players take hitting lessons from Trini and her amazing staff after they leave our team practice. The affect has been outstanding. So much so that in 2016 our team won the CIF NorthCoast Section Championship. Thanks fir everything Next Level, you're a big part of our success. Jason Shelton Varsity Softball St. Joseph Notre Dame High

What an AWESOME facility. If you want to just get extra practice in, then go to a batting cage or…read morehang out at a park. But if you are a competitive softball or baseball player who wants to IMPROVE your game, then this is THE PLACE. It has tunnels (not cages) set up for ADVANCED hitting -- a super high tech pitching machine that can throw 40 - 90 mph softball or baseball pitches, curves, sliders, and fastballs. It has a remote, so if you are in there with your coach, you can stop the machine and work on your technique. And if hitting isn't all that you need to work on, there is a portable pitching mound to get you out of your slump. Ok...and now for those who are just starting their softball/baseball careers, there is an entire section for little sluggers. This area has tees, a pitching machine that spits out whiffle balls the size of golf balls. YOU HAVE GOT TO CHECK THIS PLACE OUT -- THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT ANYWHERE IN THE BAY AREA!!!!

For some reason, my previous review doesn't show up, so I wanted to re-iterate what a great program…read morethis is for swimmers in Alameda. I now have three children swimming (ages 6, 9, and 13) and couldn't ask for a better youth activity. We have now experienced nearly every coach on the team and they all bring amazing strengths to the experience. Coach Ben coaches my youngest and he truly has a gift with young children. Every day the kids are excited to see him and he makes the workout seem like fun and games. Yet he still manages to instill the discipline required to keep the workouts flowing and make sure the kids are safe and listening to instructions. Under his tutelage the kids get better almost without realizing it. My middle child has Coach Brett and his strength is imparting excellent technical skills while maintaining a fun atmosphere. My nine year old loves his jokes and sense of humor. She also knows, however, that she will be working hard every minute of the time she is there. While younger she would have hated that, but the swim program gradually builds the kids' enthusiasm and skills so that they are ready for the challenges that the next group brings. My oldest has Coach Marshall and for her it is like her family. They joke, laugh, tease, and work hard every single day to achieve her goals. Marshall works with each swimmer to determine what they want to accomplish and how to get there. Any assistance that she needs is available, including weight training, dry land, and a multitude of workouts per week. Gators has been so wonderful for her that she now wants to swim in college. I am confident that the team can help her get there. I encourage anyone with a child who loves swimming to try the Gators.

When other parents ask me about joining a swim team, I always steer them toward the Ala-Gators. My…read morethree kids have all been with the Ala-gators, so I'm in my 11th year with this Alameda institution. The coaches use positive reinforcement and let the kids think they're just having fun when actually they're learning! My very first Gator (now 17 years old) swims on the high school Varsity swim team, still loving it and now very competitive. The work ethic he learned with the Gators led him to be both Freshman and Sophomore "swimmer of the year". And he had fun working that hard. Rest assured that the life skills taught gently, positively, and subtly through the Ala-Gators will give your swimmer a solid base through high school, and beyond.

Here's the feedback I provided to the camp contact:…read more I wanted to share some feedback about the process, as I believe it could be helpful to you as you establish your camp in Alameda. Throughout our conversations, we agreed on a discounted rate for my three kids, as well as the week and times. At no point was there any mention of a payment deadline or a time-sensitive requirement for securing the agreed price. After I sent the Venmo payment as instructed, I was surprised to learn that the price had suddenly increased to three times the original amount we discussed. I appreciate that you refunded my payment quickly, but the experience left me feeling disappointed and confused. As a parent, clear and consistent communication is very important, especially when it comes to planning and budgeting for my kids' activities. Practices like changing the price after an agreement--without prior notice--can be frustrating and may deter families from signing up or recommending your camp to others. I hope you'll consider making your policies and timelines more transparent in the future, so families know exactly what to expect.

Love their hours -- open late! The updated flooring is nice. Open play is only $10. We really like…read moreit here. :)

I have been a member since ~2018. I love this club because it is gigantic and it is almost…read moreliterally across the street from my warehouse loft. If you go to the Crunch Gym in Alameda and then the Bladium -- you'll have a new appreciation for space and room to breathe. The remodeled men's locker room is cool -- most importantly -- it is clean and does not stink. I only use the facility for cardio and free weights. The machines and free weights are probably 30+ years old (seriously), but they work and I like the old school steel plates. The entire facility has been under construction and it looks like they're going to make the facility like something on par with the NFL Combine's fitness facilities. I learned during the pandemic that new weights and weight machines cost a fortune, but I'm hopeful they will update the equipment. Most importantly, I hope they extend the hours of operation on the weekends. Indeed, their hours of operation should be 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (minimum) every day. Oh, there is always free/available parking and the gym manager is extremely responsive/professional. Bottom line: this gym has the space and location to become the best fitness facility on the East Bay -- but they must extend their hours and spend a small fortune on new weights/weight machines. The images I have included with this review are dated, but they give you a good idea of the size of this place and show the degree to which they are re-doing the place!

I grew up playing at The Bladium since I was 4 years old with lil kickers. I played with the Bay…read moreOaks and SJND for indoor footie and played with my AAU basketball team in this facility. So many memories, like winning a state championship and rock climbing with my friends. The Bladium was an experience: to drink, to play sports, to work out, to have fun. I recently came back after finishing college, just to find the main football field and a majority of the weight room gone to pickleball. At first, I did not mind, however, it feels like the only people who come in are pickleball players. Its sad to see my friend's old family business being made into a pickleball center. Even the new company's logo shows where their priority is at. Heartbreaking to see. I will always remember the sounds the floorboards made.

As far as races go, you can't beat this deal. The 4th Sunday of every month, rain or shine, they…read morehold their races. 5K, 10K, or 15K at rock bottom prices. You can tell their goal is to get people running and exercising. Very friendly, motivating group that encourages runners at all levels. They also have training runs and marathon training programs.

Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders was founded in 1977 by a small group of joggers at Lake Merritt …read more I'm not a member of this club, however, I have participated in their races in the past and even placed 2nd in my age group - wOOt...wOOt!! This club is a nonprofit organization that hosts runs every fourth Sunday of the month. The runs consist of 5K (1 lap), 10K (2 laps) and 15K (3 laps) races around Lake Merritt. The fee is $3 for Club members, and $5 for non-members. The course distance is certified and the course is flat. All runners receive finisher ribbons. Place ribbons are awarded three deep.

I have three kids between the ages of 10 and 17 (one girl, two boys), and they all fell in love…read morewith water polo after trying the Alameda Water Polo Club. The coaches understand what kids need to keep them motivated and keep it fun...and how that changes for each developmental stage. This team is a great find; you can try it for free before committing, so you know whether it's a good fit for your own child. I wish other sports teams did that!

Really great place to learn basic water polo skills and to connect with other players. My daughter…read morehas been with the Neptunes for several seasons now, and we've been really happy with the team. The coaches are approachable and work really well with the kids to teach them everything from the basics to advanced skills that they can use when they advance to their high school teams. There is no risk to trying it out as they give you two weeks to see if it is a good fit...

This league is a great way to meet new (fun) people. Even if u haven't played kickball since middle…read moreschool, everyone is supportive & really just there to have a good time. All ages & abilities are welcome, & there's always McNally's after the games to socialize &/or brush up on your flip-cup skillz!

I don't do reviews often, but GSK has earned one. The league is a ton of fun and a great way to…read moremeet people. I've been playing for something like six to eight seasons now and have enjoyed every one of them. Some of my closest friends I met through kickball, and a lot of the others I've convinced to join and come much closer with because of it! The league does their best to keep the games fun and lighthearted while leaving enough room for those of us that enjoy the competition of team sports. The group of people running the league are fantastic - I've become very close to a few of them (partially through seeing them so often at the games and parties, partially through arguing some calls in close games!). If you're looking for a way to meet a fun group of people, enjoy a little friendly competition, or just want to run around and drink some beers on Thursday nights, I would highly recommend giving Golden State Kickball a shot.

Really ? A town like ours with a raggedy joke of a football field ...has'nt been touched since the…read more70's/80's

Really!? This football/soccer field used to be a public park... for everyone. Now it is locked for…read morelimited use and school events. The city should be ashamed that it places more investment in commerce and new housing without a requirement for additional parks or schools and the general public. This ball field should be moved, along with an accessible public park to the vacant properties on on the old Navy base.

I have heard many great things about this league from friends. Great coaches, all around fun and…read moresupportive... My son loved playing flag football with his afterschool program when he was younger, but he hasn't had the opportunity to join a team as a middle schooler. He is very excited to play again. We are fortunate to have found a program that is accessible and can be affordable to single, working moms. I'll update my review with more details as the season progresses. Thank you EBFF!

So this will be my Son's 3rd year playing for Alameda and my daughters 2nd year in Oakland. They…read moreboth love the game. It teaches them to be a team player and to also take the lead if the ball falls in their court. My son has never really looked forward to any sports aside from Flag Football and gymnastics. So when he found out it was time to register, he was elated. He started off playing tackle at age 5 and he didn't like it at all. I made him play. His coach then and now is Coach Kevin. I am super elated we still have a bond from years back. Octavian trusts him in the game as they have that initial connection. I was team Mom for the Alameda Pirates circa 2013. Zaiah, my daughter is super elated she can still play. She loves to follow in her brothers footsteps all the while maintaining her own identity here and in gymnastics. I like the fact that they bond friendships with their teammates. Looking forward to another season of fun.

Amazing park -- huge and full of charm! There are plenty of picnic tables and spots to sit, and you…read morecan even BBQ here with a beach view. There's a tennis court and a nice fenced dog park, too. Perfect place for a relaxing stroll with your paw buddy. Lots of trees for shade make it super comfortable and plush grass. Washington Park is a hidden gem -- peaceful, relaxing, and one of my favorite spots. Love this place!

Washington Park has been a long time favorite of my family. You have the swings for both bigger…read morekids/adults and then another set for the little ones. You've got a pretty cool baseball field with more field area for some other activities like ultimate frisbee, etc. You've got 2 different play structures and there are bathrooms. There are tables with benches throughout the park and if you'd like to have a party there, you can do so through the parks and rec department. They even have some great basketball courts and I enjoy seeing the pick up games in action! Some sad things are that the bathrooms are never clean. I am not a fan of taking my little ones in there and try to avoid it. I often find drug paraphernalia or needles on the ground and/or tables near the benches, and there's no shade in the park area except for one bench. As much as I love coming here since it is located near businesses like restaurants and we get to run into some friends there, I try to avoid it.