A question was posed in a sports discussion group I’m a member of the other day. The question was, “What are your top three sports days?” Wow, so many possibilities but MLB opening Day, First day of the NCAA tournament, and The first Saturday in College Football were at the top of my list. Pondering on this brought another thought to mind. From a sports fans position, does it get any better than March? Now your probably thinking, he is obviously going to write another March Madness article, as if we haven’t seen enough of them over the past week. Personally, I haven’t. I can’t get enough sports knowledge inside my larger than usual dome but that is not the only thing that makes March great for a sports fan. Let me share with you why I think March is the greatest month in the “wide world of sports.”
Thank you ABC for this token of Sports history that I will never forget.
Depending on your preference, there are at least six different major sports going on during the month of march. Basketball and Hockey are starting to wind down their regular seasons in March and seeding or a playoff berth hangs in the balance for some teams. The competition gets intense in the NBA when the playoffs are on the line. The passion level rises for these athletes and in the case of Hockey, it can get down right violent. Here’s a hockey fight between Calgary Flames Kevin Westgarth and the Edmonton Oilers Luke Gazdic on March 1:
The Flames and Oilers are in 6th and 7th place in the Pacific Division so its possible that one was induced by a little frustration. Hey, frustration can be good for the competitive spirit. Especially in a sport like Hockey where fighting is just a part of the game.
For other sports March isn’t as much about competition as it is about training. By the time March comes around, pitchers and catchers have long since reported and Spring games are starting. Fans are in the stands or sitting on blankets just beyond the outfield fence. The anticipation for opening day is a killer and you begin reading everything the internet has to offer about your favorite team. Could this be the year? How is that pitcher going to do coming off Tommy John? Will your 1st baseman put up the same kind of power numbers as last year? That’s right, its time to start crunching stats again.
Spring Training at its finest!
Speaking of numbers and stats, March is the month of the Fantasy Baseball Draft. I play in several leagues (to my wife’s disdain) and my favorite part of fantasy baseball is by far the draft. Be it a snake draft or an Auction, I just can’t get enough. When it’s all said and done, I know more ridiculous stats than Derek Jeter has girlfriends. Well, maybe not that many but you know what I mean. Probably the best part of the draft is the draft party. The time when all the guys get together, eat a bunch of unhealthy food, and talk smack about each others mom and their current draft pick. It can get rather ruthless but its all in fun. If you’re one of those guys who gets in a dark room with a pile of home-made cheat sheets and drafts all alone, you are missing out. Call your friends and celebrate for Today Is Fantasy Draft Day!
Yep, this is me drafting with PWood and Birdman.
MLB isn’t the only one doing training during March either. College Football is going through its own Spring Training and if you are the college football junky that I am, you are tuned in. Some say, “Don’t take what happens in Spring Football too seriously.” I say, “Are you kidding me?” Spring football presents us with the opportunity to see the new offense being installed or how that new Quarterback is coming along. What’s the defense going to look like next year? Spring will show you these things. Then there is the Spring Game. The game where your team divides its players into two squads and you get to see how they compare to each other. At most colleges this game is free and highlights a big weekend of fun activities on campus. Who doesn’t want to see some full contact football in March? This guy certainly does. Bring it on!
Spring Football gets rolling in March
To go along with College Campuses in March, you can’t go without mentioning College Baseball. By the middle of march most teams are getting into conference play and the heat is starting to turn up a bit. Burgers and hot dogs (among other things) are on the grill and the smell of college baseball is in the air. There is nothing quite like the sound of metal bat on leather ball and that is just what you get at a college baseball game. Everyone is starting to talk about regionals and super regionals and your teams chances of making it to Omaha. The weather is warm but not too hot. Shorts and baseball caps abound and the laid back excitement of college baseball is in full swing. Does it get any better?
Dudy Noble: The best College Baseball environment there is.
Well, if you’re not convinced yet you’re about to be. How can I write a March sports article without throwing in some March Madness! As I write this, the upsets have already begun. More upsets than usual it seems which totally ruins my brackets but makes it even more exciting. Twelve hours of tournament caliber college basketball in a day is the icing on the cake for the month of March. The Madness usually starts on the 3rd Thursday of the month and last into the first week of April and that first weekend is 12 noon to 12 midnight. That my friends is pure genius. Everyone fills out brackets and watches intently as their favorite team or bracket makes a run for the final four. Of course there are viewing parties with great food, jubilant celebration, and unfortunately for some the agony of defeat. Sorry, but that is just a part of what makes it great. For now, 68 teams have a shot at the championship and “One Shining Moment.” Sure, If your team doesn’t make the tournament it’s disappointing but don’t let it keep you from enjoying the fan fare. Pick a Cinderella, Jump on the band wagon and agonize with the rest of us. In the end you will be glad you did and you will look back and say, “Thank you March! You did it again.”
Follow Stu on Twitter: @Stu_Shoemake
