Readying myself to leave the house and head out to cover a late-morning soccer game on Saturday, I wondered: Exactly how many layers of clothes should I bring?

That thought’s been par for the course this winter — er, spring — sports season. Whether freezing through a soccer game or freezing through a baseball game, shivers and clock-watching were always involved.

Until Saturday, that is.

A bright sky and — get this — warmth were welcome co-attendants at Roaring Fork High School’s game against visiting Rangely. The conditions crafted the perfect spring sports environment.

It actually felt like spring, for the first time since, well, last spring!

Coming from covering sports in Texas and California, this whole six-months-of-winter thing is new to me. (It’s not a bad thing, because you’d have to be a complete malcontent to peer up at the majestic, snow-capped mountains in our valley and not be taken in.)

It’s just different than what I’m used to.

By early March in central Texas, baseball and softball teams are a good 10 games into their season. Sure, you get occasional rain, but never the snow I’ve encountered here at soccer games, track meets and baseball games over the past months.

Those conditions are prime if you’re out there playing. I’ve always been a sucker for running in the rain or a mud football game. Sitting idle as a spectator in those conditions: not so entertaining.

I can’t describe how awesome it was to sit comfortably in the bleachers at the old Roaring Fork High School and take in an entertaining soccer game — in the comfort of the sun’s warm rays, unobstructed by snow-dumping clouds or frigid winds.

No wondering if I had any extra sweatshirts in my car I could further layer up with, no praying the game would somehow avoid overtime.

All I can say is: I hope spring has sprung for good!

Contact Jeff Caspersen: 384-9123
jcaspersen@postindependent.com