One Frustrated Sportswriter: Rain, Rain Go Away!

As I wake up here on Saturday morning of April the 23^rd, I roll out of bed to find something not so surprising—it’s raining. And not only that, the Franklin Softball Tournament (featuring local teams Franklin and Lansdowne) that I intended to—and was pumped up to—cover is rained out.

Enough is enough.

I understand that there are going to be some wet-weather cancellations here and there, but I didn’t realize the old saying went, “April showers bring May flash-flooding.”

Something is wrong when it’s about two months into the sports season and most baseball and softball teams have played anywhere between six to eight games all season.

No offense to the chess club and the “It’s Academic” teams, but that’s about all I can cover right now.

So, with nothing better to do on a gross, raw Saturday morning in late April, here is my list of 15 reasons (some sports related, some not) to completely loathe the rain.

1. Well, let’s start with the obvious. Our baseball and softball fields resemble the Everglades (minus the alligator) and you simply can’t play ball in that weather.
2. Even when I cover lacrosse games, it’s tough to take game notes when your notepad has turned to paper-mache midway through the first quarter.
3. Those poor athletic directors. Working and reworking schedules to get their kids on the field when no matter what you do the schedule ends up looking like this. (Notice all the red.)
4. Not to mention, there have already been three Orioles games postponed—and those guys have grounds crews and tarps and everything! 
5. It’s tough to enjoy another “movie day” when you’ve already watched every movie you own because going outside is no longer a possibility.
6. If I am to venture outside in this cold rain, I must dress like Paddington Bear to avoid hypothermia. And trust me, that’s a site to behold.
7. I really feel for the power hitters in high school baseball. Tough to record any extra base hits when you smash a ball into the gap and it lands in a pile of mud and just stops.
8. Also quite lame for the outfielder that has to pick up the mud-enveloped ball and heave it like a shot put back toward the infield.
9. Let’s not forget about tennis players. You know it’s tough to put away that cross-court volley when no matter how good your footwork is, you’re still standing in a puddle.
10. Ah, I spent all that time weeks back planting my beautiful chrysanthemums and now they’re completely drowning. What a waste.
11. Wow. It’s come to the point where I am lying to my readers to get them believe I, of all people, actually planted flowers.
12. I’ve stopped using the shower. It cuts down on the water bill to just go outside with soap, shampoo, a bucket and just count on rain.
13. Well, at least Weather.com’s five-day forecast is promising?
14.  At this rate, the spring sports post season will wrap up some time around July 4.
15. How am I supposed to get my necessary two scoops of raisins (courtesy of the sun) if there’s cloud coverage every darn day?  

Seriously, the rain needs to end. Otherwise I’m asking Mother Nature to put me up for adoption.