The San Diego Hoops basketball league is gearing up for its 2004-05 season, and the time to register for the upcoming season is now. While the season does not tip off until Oct. 6, the league has been hosting informal open gym nights at the Golden Hill Recreation Center throughout the summer in an effort to recruit new players and give current members of the league a chance to brush up on their skills in the off season.

Now through the end of August, league registration fees for the season are $55, and will go up to $60 starting on Sept. 1. Coaches will also be scouting for new talent to join their teams in the upcoming weeks.

“All new players should come down to open gym on Wednesday nights at Golden Hill Rec Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for pick up games,” said David Valenzuela, San Diego Hoops league commissioner. “They can check out the skill level of the players who have been playing in the league.”

The league is designed to accommodate players of all skill levels, and at the beginning of each season a draft is held that includes all of the players who have registered with the league. Coaches take turns drafting players and constructing their teams based on what they have seen in previous seasons and during open gym nights. As a result, almost all of the teams have a balance of old and new players with skill levels ranging from novice to highly experienced.

As with previous seasons, league play will take place on Wednesday nights with four games each week starting at 6:00 p.m. and continuing until 10:00 p.m. Last year there were eight teams in the league and a waiting list of eligible players should one of the teams have become short on players. This year the league is looking forward to having many of its sponsors return and hopes to expand the league to up to 10 teams.

“The whole idea of the league is for gay men and women to come together, to have fun and to compete through basketball,” Valenzuela said. “It’s also a different outlet for gay men and women to meet other gay men and women with the same interests in friendship, togetherness, and sportsmanship. The board and I are looking forward to a fun and exciting season.”

The Golden Hills Rec Center is located at 2600 Golf Course Dr., south of Morley Field in Balboa Park. For directions call the recreation center’s information line at (619) 235-1138. For more information about the San Diego Hoops basketball league, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their website.