Basketball is finally done and we can move on. At last.
I don't know about you, and maybe it's just me, but it felt like this year's college basketball season was interminable. I was ready for it to be over about a month ago. I understand that it's all about money and how much the networks, advertisers and colleges can make, but to have your postseason last for more than a month is a bit excessive. While it is nice to have so many teams extend their seasons, do we really need that many teams to keep playing? Here's a thought. Put the NCAA tournament back to 32 teams. That way it's truly a privilege to be playing in it. Plus, it doesn't drag on and on and on ad infinitum.
Moving into spring means sports move outdoors. I get to cover track, golf, soccer and baseball at the high school level and golf, track, baseball, softball and tennis at the college level. (FYI: College soccer and high school softball are in the fall.) The challenge with covering spring sports, however, is preparation. Do I wear my winter coat? Should I take my umbrella? What about sunblock - will it be required? And the answer to all three questions is yes.
Yes, wear your winter coat. Last week I was at a baseball game where the temperatures were in the 30s I think and the wind was howling out of the north. Winter coat, long johns and extra socks were definitely needed.
Yes, take an umbrella. A couple weeks ago I was at a soccer game that was cold and rainy. Luckily, I can get decent pictures from the press box, so that's where I went, but the wind was blowing out of the northwest, right into the press box. So much for comfort.
Yes, put on sunblock - especially if, like me, you can get a sunburn in less than 15 minutes. At today's track meet, temperatures rose into the low 80s, so I shed the jacket, exposing my bare arms to the sun. I put sunblock on my part and my face before I got out of the car, but at the time the wind was blowing pretty good out of the south and it was chilly. I figured I'd wear my jacket until I was ready to leave. Then the wind died and the sun shone, and I needed to take off my jacket. Unfortunately, I'd left the sunblock in the car, so as I'm looking at my arms now, they're looking a little bit pink.
Additional items I usually take to games/meets include sunglasses and a scrunchy. The sunglasses are self explanatory. They're certainly not to make me look cool because I'm past help there. A scrunchy or rubber band is essential for those of us photographers with long or longer hair. When it's windy, like it usually is, having strands of hair blowing in front of the camera lens is not a good thing. You get strange lines through your photos. And yes, I have had that happen.
Hopefully now we're past the frigid days and are moving into the nicer ones. As the seasons progress, the weather improves and by the end of spring sports, the coats are put away for the summer, the umbrella is handy but not grabbed every time you go out the door and the sunblock is habit.
Enjoy watching your favorites teams/ players this spring. I know I will.
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