The spring sports season kicks into full gear this week.
And as such, we start our week with the weekly checking of the weather forecast for Clark County.
Let’s see: Rain, rain, rain, showers, showers, showers.
So, there will be a good number of high school boys soccer, track and field and golf events this week.
The chances of seeing any baseball, softball or girls tennis this week don’t look good.
But there are some changes in the spring sports schedule that are worth noting.
In all three team spring sports — baseball, softball and boys soccer — each Class 4A Greater St. Helens League team will play each league rival three teams, completing a 12-game league schedule.
However, none of those league games are scheduled for this week. For baseball and softball teams, that’s a good thing.
Teams in the 3A GSHL will play each other twice, also completing a 12-game league schedule. None of those league games are scheduled for this week — again, a good thing.
And the 2A GSHL is following the same league schedule format as the 4A GSHL.
So the league action we’ll see this week — and in baseball, even that is doubtful — will come in the Class 1A Trico League.
On Tuesday, the Trico League baseball schedule is supposed to get started with four doubleheaders: Ridgefield at La Center, Stevenson at White Salmon, Ilwaco at Kalama and Toledo at Castle Rock.
Now, the Trico League is playing a 14-game league schedule, meaning each team will play seven doubleheaders against each league rival. So Tuesday’s scheduled games are the only meetings of the season between, say, La Center and Ridgefield.
The Trico League boys soccer schedule also opens on Tuesday, with what we assume will be better luck of games being played.
In boys soccer, regular Trico members Kalama and Ilwaco don’t field teams. So their spots in the league are filled by Class B programs at Seton Catholic and King’s Way Christian.
Tuesday’s opening round of league soccer matches consist of White Salmon at Ridgefield, Seton Catholic at Toledo/Winlock, La Center at Castle Rock and King’s Way Christian at Stevenson.
And second round of league matches will follow on Thursday.
League play in the other area leagues is scheduled to open next week.
And because the later-than-usual falling of Spring Break — April 4-8 — most league will be able to get in several league games before the break.
That is, of course, if the weather allows it.
Also look for
Here are some things to look for in The Columbian and Columbian.com this week, rain or shine.
• The Columbian will begin honoring the region’s outstanding athletes of the year in the just completed winter sports seasons.
Our series of All-Region packages will begin to run on Wednesday in The Columbian.
• Our spring preview features will begin to run next week after the conclusion of the All-Region series.
We have begun to receive preseason report forms back from area spring coaches. We will put these reports online at our prep sports blog at www.columbian.com/weblogs/highschoolsports later this week. Or you can reach the blog at www.360preps.com.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep coordinator for The Columbian. He can be reached by phone at (360) 735-4538 or e-mail at tim.martinez@columbian.com
