It’s the first full week of spring high school sports, and that can only mean one thing.
It’s time to check the weather forecast.
Spring sports means it’s time go back outdoors after three-plus months locked inside.
And while that sounds like a good thing, sometimes the weather on the western side of the Cascades doesn’t always make it seem like one.
We’ve seen more soggy days than dry ones since spring practices began two weeks ago.
But the forecast says there are better days ahead. Each day this week will get drier and warmer, with projected sunny days and highs in the low 60s by Thursday.
That’s a good thing because the recent soaking has left many baseball and softball diamonds inundated.
Just as it did last season, the 4A Greater St. Helens League baseball teams will play three rounds of league play, meaning 18 of their 20 regular-season games will be league games.
Three rounds of league games were scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week.
Also starting league play this week are Trico League boys soccer teams. Seton Catholic kicks off the league slate when the Cougars play at Stevenson on Tuesday.
Feedback from last week
I received a lot of positive feedback about my column last week on reclassifying teams based on success, including from several coaches and athletic directors from across the state.
I was really hoping for at least one response to contradict my idea. I was looking for some angle I hadn’t thought about. I’m still looking.
But the next question is: What happens now?
Well, the simple answer is nothing — at least from me.
Or as one reader responding to my column eloquently put it: “This is such a great idea and it makes so much sense, so of course nothing will ever come of it.”
I’ve taken this as far as I can. The next step is for some administrators from around the state to advance this idea in their district meetings. Then a formal proposal could be crafted and advanced in the process.
The WIAA is a representative body. And change comes from the bottom up. Proposals are made, discussed, modified if necessary, then presented for a vote.
I’ve put the idea on the table. Now someone needs to run with it.
Any takers?
All-Region
Before we completely turn to spring sports, we’ll close the door on winter sports with the presentation of our All-Region teams beginning on Tuesday. Look for outstanding athletes in wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, bowling and basketball to be celebrated over the next week or so.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep coordinator for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4538, tim.martinez@columbian.com or follow his Twitter handle @360TMart.
