Smile and seize an exquisite spring day; later you are sure to pay

Smiling faces - I strafed spring practices at Cape March 13, with 4 p.m. temperatures around 75 degrees and no annoying bay or ocean breezes.  It was downright pleasant. Everyone shared the same thoughts, “Enjoy your day, because later you will pay.” There are roughly 460 kids out for 11 spring sports at Cape. Beacon and Mariner both have fat rosters, but numbers are incomplete. All Cape teams will be statewide competitive. Let's leave it at that. I don't want to put the jinx on anyone. 

I’m smart/stupid - I’m an off-road, stream-of-consciousness writer; my humor is so sophisticated I miss half my own jokes. I sometimes call myself  “the creative moron” – not that I’m gullible; rather I think all stories are plausible. Last week, I wrote that the Milton Chamber of Commerce and Station 85 organized the Lucky Leprechaun 5K and St. Paddy’s Day parade when, in fact, it was Irish Eyes, which then pushed the proceeds to the chamber and fire company and Milton Community Foundation. But when I mess up, as I have so many times over 42 years of columns, some people think it was intentional, like a joke within a joke. Someone asked Tom Jones about the Fredman mistake and he sang, “It’s not unusual.” 

Connected disconnects - A quick mixing of politics and sports. Most of us have no real connection to any of the players from either profession, and it starts with money or what Google calls celebrity net worth. The free agent signing bonuses and contracts in pro football send a sledgehammer message to fans: “There is no loyalty, and all this stupid money comes from the everyday fans whose intelligence is evidently impossible to insult.” In the political world, the Trump base has one thing in common: They have never seen or spoken to a person in their social network who looks like him, and The Donald has never hung out with people from their demographic. Throw in the Academy Awards to complete the triathlon of disconnectedness.  

Seven thousand - Starting in 1993, the Cape Gazette has committed to at least four Athletes of the Week every Friday. The gallery has more than 7,000 faces, and the mark is still moving. I always envisioned the bios under the photos as modeled after Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd. The journalism is solid and tells a story. The 31-year history is a celebration; figure out how to use the Gazette archives feature, and go back to read and remember people at their best. 

Dunkin Donuts - Watch ESPN’s SportsCenter and be treated to a cavalcade of outrageous dunks by tall people who could dunk their own heads if they were detachable. Last NBA season, there were 11,664 dunks. It reminds me of full-court games at the Shields school gym in Lewes back in the day when they played with 8-foot baskets. Remember head fakes and finger rolls? The first person I ever saw posterized with flash bulbs going off was me in 1964 at the Cardinal Dougherty gym, when 6-foot-9-inch Maurice Savage threw down on a fast break. Coach John Clark called time-out, waiting for the Catholic conniption to quell. “I’ve never seen that in a high school game,” Clark said. “What did it look like from your vantage point, Frederick?” “It looked like two points on the scoreboard, coach. Same as a layup.”

Snippets - Atlantic Lacrosse is once again up and running at Hudson Fields, a sure sign of spring. Athletes who play Atlantic and middle school lacrosse are basically playing six days a week. Some days double-booked, but none of the athletes have a driver's license. Cape has a total of 110 rostered athletes playing lacrosse this spring. Cape baseball is the preseason favorite to win the state tournament, while boys’ volleyball is the defending state champion. A cable question for the MLB baseball fan: Should you purchase the MLB package? How about FanDuel so you can bet on all those games you’re watching? Throw in the mobile app and it makes you wonder why Congress voted to ban TikTok. Why not just ban the app store? All play day and travel ball parents should protect the athlete in their homes from overuse injuries. Consult with trainers and coaches, then back away and don’t be meddlesome. Remember, rest is good. “There are times to tach it up before Buddy gonna shut you down.” - Beach Boys. Go on now, git!