Is it spring yet? The groundhog turned out to be untrustworthy this year, with snow flurries remaining in the forecast, and skiers hoping for a few more weekends of the white stuff.
Still, turning our clocks ahead over the weekend marks more sunlight into the evening hours, and more outdoor practice time for spring sports teams. They may be bundled up to play ball right now, but at the same time, the NASCAR season is well under way, March Madness is ready to tip off, and spring is finally on the horizon.
As enjoyable as basketball, wrestling and hockey may be, it's always nice to see baseball, softball and track and field seasons finally arrive, marking the end of Old Man Winter's reign.
Before long, the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd will return to the Blair County Ballpark, along with the family-friendly fun, school kids' afternoons out of the classroom, and fireworks that light up the night sky.
Little League sandlots everywhere will be filled with little players, learning the fundamentals of baseball, and soccer fields swarming with young athletes having fun with their friends.
With March comes, not only college Madness, including the Pitt Panthers, Penn State men and women, and St. Francis Lady Red Flash, but also the PIAA basketball championships, and ensuing celebrations for the state's most elite high school squads.
That leads into April showers and the NCAA Final Four. At the same time, college football teams hit the field for spring drills and scrimmages, baseball teams dodge raindrops to start their season, and anglers converge on Pennsylvania trout streams. Motorboats are back in the water, and the roar of race engines returns to local dirt tracks.
May brings not only flowers, but also the pop of starters' pistols at postseason track and field meets, with athletes pushing themselves to shave seconds and add inches in the pursuit of PIAA gold.
As the days get longer and warmer, sportsmen (and women) trade in their skis and snowboards for golf clubs and tennis rackets. Workouts will go from treadmills to trails, and stationary bikes will be abandoned for the open road, as K races and charity rides pop up in communities around the region.
There's still some great basketball on tap, including the women's big dance and PIAA finals coming to the Bryce Jordan Center over the next two weeks.
However, it's hard not to get excited about warm evenings at the ballpark or misty mornings on a mountain bike. After a long cold winter, it's time to get off the couch and enjoy the outdoors.
Every season brings something new to celebrate, but there's something special about spring.
Kellie Goodman Shaffer can be reached at Kellie@BedfordCountyChamber.org. Her column appears on Tuesday.
