STEELE SPORTS

As the winter sports season draws to a close for many local teams, I’ve already begun to fantasize about warm, sunny spring days filled with trips to ball diamonds, golf courses and everything in between.
Although I was never much of a baseball player – or even much of a golfer despite many efforts to improve my swing – I love springtime sports and the general vibe that they bring to the community.
Bright, cloudless days at baseball and softball diamonds catching some rays and spitting sunflower seeds is almost as therapeutic to me as a nice walk on the beach.
Personally, the best part about most spring sports is the overall pace of play that many of the games revolve around.
Baseball, softball and even golf receive a lot of negative comments from the public in today’s world about the length of games, but to me, it’s the best part.
After a long winter spent mainly indoors, where the most time I spend outdoors is the quick 100-meter dash from my car to whatever arena I am attending for a hockey or basketball game, I enjoy being able to sit comfortably outside and collect some rays of sun while watching local games.
Baseball wouldn’t be baseball without taking a couple hours to enjoy some sunflower seeds and cold pop and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Also, for all local parents: baseball, softball, golf and lacrosse games are a great way to get the kids out of the house and active after the long winter!
Some of my fondest memories as a sports fan come as a young tike running around open fields chasing down foul balls from the local high school games and throwing the ball around with my friends.
Maybe it’s just the Californian in me that’s itching for shorts weather to return, but I can’t fathom the idea of staying shelled up inside when they are plenty of great opportunities to watch local teams compete beginning over the course of the next few months.
For those who enjoy spring sports like myself, feel free to say hello as I make my way around the county trying out local ballpark hotdogs and watching high school kids swing golf clubs as I could only dream of doing so myself!