It’s amazing what a little rain can do to spoil a local sports
writer’s afternoon
– which later brought on sunshine and perfect game-time
temperatures to tease a little more.
It’s amazing what a little rain can do to spoil a local sports writer’s afternoon – which later brought on sunshine and perfect game-time temperatures to tease a little more.
As for myself, I was anxiously anticipating the showdown on the Gilroy High softball diamond. The young, talented and hungry Lady Mustangs along with their senior ace Jennifer Olvera were as disappointed as I was, I’m sure, that Tuesday’s T-CAL showdown with the Lady Vikings of North Salinas and their big slinger Monica Abbott was put on hold for the moment.
Olvera – who already has a full ride to play college ball thanks to her mighty right arm – and Abbott – probably the most feared hurler in the entire section – were scheduled to take the hill in a classic pitcher’s duel.
I had my Yankee blue game chair in the back of my car and a full stock of seeds. Along with my trusty pad and pen, I was ready to go.
Then word came down – the rain had postponed the ‘Clash of T-CAL Titans’ until another day, possibly a Saturday matinee at Gilroy High. That would be nice. Tuesday’s rain just heightened the anticipation.
This time of year, however, there is much to wet a sports fan’s pallet.
There’s opening day for Major League Baseball – one down and 161 more games to go ’til playoffs. But even that was tarnished for me being a New York Yankees’ fan and seeing shortstop Derek Jeter dislocate his shoulder. He expected to be out for at least a month. I’m still glad baseball is here though, and hope my Yanks can recapture their World Series glory after a two-year hiatus.
Then there’s the NCAA Tournament – which has only one top seed in this year’s Final Four, setting up what should be another memorable finish to March Madness. Those March Madness commercials with great finishes over the years put out by Pontiac sure get me fired up.
However, I’m sitting in last place in the office pool that I’m running because of all the upsets, while Teresa Glover, The Dispatch’s graphic designer, is in first place still with Texas going all the way and Mark Derry, the garlic tribune’s managing editor, is still in contention with Syracuse taking it all.
There’s also the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) closing in on the end of the regular season as teams jockey for playoff position. While my Knickerbockers are almost mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, my New York Islanders are clinging to the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. I also wish I was going to ‘The Tank’ for some Sharks’ post-season action, but we all know how their season’s gone.
And what about golfer Michelle Wie – the 13-year-old starlet whose emerged on the LPGA Tour. She reportedly drives the ball nearly 300 yards and is suppose to become the Tiger Woods of the women’s tour. Now for my golf game – which can’t get any better if it continues to rain – I can usually skip the ball past the ladies’ tees on my drives.
It can’t rain everywhere at once, though. So there will always be sports to be watched. That’s what I love most about this country – the sports. As for mother nature, she can be the best of sports fans by bringing a beautiful day to game-day or the worst by bringing rainy conditions. Unless it’s football season where sloppy conditions can add a little excitement.
At Gilroy High, there is plenty of action still to come this week including Friday night’s ‘Battle of the Unbeatens’ between the Mustang spikers and neighboring rival Live Oak at 6 p.m. in Morgan Hill; Wednesday’s critical T-CAL golf meet with second-place Gilroy hosting both first-place Palma and Hollister at Eagle Ridge; and ‘Rivalry Thursday’ with varsity tennis and softball squaring off against the Acorns.
