In the big long list of things I love the most, sports have never been lower than a four seed. Sure, the Mrs., the little one and the kitty cat have risen to the top but lingering right below is the competitive nature of organized team sports. I love the college and pro atmosphere both equally, but for different reasons. In college, there exists an unbridled passion for the game, an eagerness to win for the name on the front of the jersey, to share the glory of success and heartache of defeat with fellow students, classmates, alumni, family and fans. In pro sports, much of that move-to-tears passion is missing, but the game itself is normally elevated to such a high level that the spectacle of sport itself being played at it’s finest is always on display.
Spring is arguably the best time of year for sports lovers. College basketball season is about to climax and complete the greatest three weeks of sport the country has to offer, with the NCAA National Championship game, and our nation’s pastime is beginning anew. Yes, baseball is back, which means fresh cut green grass, blue skies, and the smell of hot dogs and roasted peanuts are right around the corner.
March is a brilliant time to expose your kids to sports. Kooky college mascots, rabid students with their faces featuring their schools colors, sixty five unique uniforms featuring vibrant oranges, greens and baby blues are on center stage as CBS broadcasts the rollercoaster of emotion that is Tournament basketball. There is nothing else like it in the sports world.
For me, April 2nd of this year is a magical day. In addition to being the National Championship game, it is baseball’s opening day and the pageantry of that spring day still gives me goose bumps. I have a half-day of work scheduled, and an afternoon date with my daughter. I plan to collect my daughter from daycare, make lunch for the two of us, and be cuddled up together on the couch in time for the first pitch. I consider opening day of baseball to be a holiday, and hope to make this a yearly tradition with my girls, even when they get to be grade school age and older. You just cannot beat an early spring afternoon watching baseball!
So, even if you do not consider yourself a fan of sports, do try and tune in a bit with your family this month. Give the NCAA Tournament a try – the two Final Four games this weekend should be spectacular, as should the contest on Monday evening. I find it hard to believe that you will not be sucked into the excitement and passion this sport presents at this time of year. Keep the theme going right into early April, and watch a little bit of opening day baseball, with the red, white and blue bunting around the field evoking memories of yesteryear with our own parents, playing catch in the back yard.
Play Ball!
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