Spring, When Young Thoughts Turn to Sports

Spring in the Land of Cloudy With a Chance of Drizzle may be difficult to discern, but trust us, it’s coming.

A better way to divine spring’s breakthrough is to drive by – or  better, stroll by – any high school after the final bell. It’s spring sports time, and regular seasons start soon for teams at Edmonds-Woodway and Meadowdale high schools.

Spring brings hope after early and black afternoons, daytime skies the color of dirty milk, and yet another weather system announcing wind and drizzle. But spring hope for many kids is simply the chance to make the team, or at least to earn an encouraging aside from Coach about retrenching and returning next year for another shot.

Coaches can spot the best players on day one, but a larger contingent sits on the bubble or has a sliver of a chance to even see the bubble. You have to feel for these kids, to applaud them, as they compete with a single, unified purpose. The ones picked off the bubble often don’t have the physical skills to compete at a high level, but those willing to work hard will catch the coach’s eye.

Good luck and kudos to all who try out.

If opening day for spring sports is on your menu, here’s what is coming up: baseball, of course, as well as fast-pitch softball, boys’ soccer, girls’ tennis, boys’ and girls’ golf, and track and field.

Of course, high-school sports have plenty of competition from local sports teams. The Mariners begin their season in April, and the Sounders begin later this month.

But I urge you to catch some spring sports, any sport, even if your kid or grandkid isn’t involved. You’ll see sport at its truest level. Competition. Guts. Fist-pumping victories, heartbreaking losses. More drama than whatever's on TV that night.

And kudos, as well, to the coaches. The ones who encourage, train and, when necessary, comfort. Here’s a deserved shout-out: 

Edmonds-Woodway
Baseball: Dan Somoza
Fast-pitch: Mike Venable
Boys' golf: Andrew Prichard
Girls' golf: Matt Caldwell
Boys' soccer: Tony Gilman
Girls' tennis: Dan Crist
Track and field: Rick Fillman

Meadowdale
Girls' tennis: Mark Schneider
Fast-pitch: Dennis Hopkins
Baseball: Bill Hummel
Boys' soccer: Wade Foley
Track: Tony Perkins
Boys' golf: Josh Knowles
Girls 'golf: Chris Huddleson