Sports largely are ephemeral. Over quickly. That is unless there is a Major League Baseball team with woeful pitching and not many good things going.
Then, it is a long season.
Other old-timers, especially long-suffering fans of the old Chicago Cubs, may remember a pitcher for the Cubs and the Chicago White Sox who wrote a book in 1962, “The Long Season.”
Victories are enjoyable and make the seasons go faster. Who doesn’t prefer victories over defeats. Perhaps only highly-paid players who have guaranteed contracts not based on team performances.
Play for pay exists and fans want their top efforts. Perhaps that is why the high school and less extolled college athletes provide more genuine fun for many fans. It is truly sports and not a profession provided by exceptional athletes who may or may not play with joy.
High school Spring sports are ephemeral. Over quickly. April, the rain month with cold and bluster, can put the chills on outdoor sports at the high school and college levels.
We take what we get. High school track and field many years ago drew relatively large numbers of fans to meets with top-notch athletes, or, at least who made the events filled with close competition.
For those who can find nearby amateur sports events and not rely on television to be the conduit to competition, they might look for a change of pace and see the real joy within the competitors. In the best circumstances those fans will not be disappointed. Often it will be neighbors in the competition. High school track will be over at the end of May and high school baseball and softball will end prior to the middle of June. A sense of community generates enthusiasm, allegiance, and dedication.
One high school place to start for outdoor Spring excitement is girls soccer, Metea Valley in Aurora/Naperville and Hinsdale Central. There are many high school sports, some indoors, that offer joy, excitement, community.
- One professional team shortened its season earlier than usual is the Chicago Wolves men’s ice hockey team, high-level minor league. The Wolves, average age 25 years, this season were the Calder Cup defending champions. They spent much of the season on the fringe of qualifying for the playoffs, lost two key games last weekend, and even though finished the season with three consecutive victories, just missed the playoffs this season. Wait until next year.
This year the Chicago Steel, based at the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, were the first team in their league to clinch an ice hockey playoff berth. The Steel will play games on the road in Muskegon, Mich. Friday and Saturday and focus on playoffs the following weekend.
The Steel won six of its last nine games and offer genuine optimism. The Chicago Blackhawks only can go up next season.
The Chicago Bulls were in two play-in games, a new playoff method, and won the first game, however, ended the season in a sudden-death playoff game against the Miami Heat.