The Boys of Winter

Spring arrives today. So of course, it's snowing and 34 degrees here in Philly-ish. Every year, I rant about teams from the Northeast playing at home during the first week of the season, but this year it seems extra poignant.

Let's look at the schedule, shall we?

The Tigers are hosting the Pirates in Detroit. The Twins are at the Orioles in Baltimore. The Nationals visit the Reds in Cincinnati, the Cardinals are in New York against the Mets, and the Royals host the White Sox in Kansas City. Chances are pretty good the weather in those home stadiums will be less than optimal for baseball activities. And why is the season starting in MARCH?

Here's the thing I don't get. Houston is playing Texas in Arlington, TX. The Angels and As will be in Oakland. The Brewers (home stadium is a dome) will be in San Diego, and the Giants will be in Los Angeles. Why can't the scheduling folks send the Northeast and Midwest teams on the road for 10 or 12 days to start the season to play dome and warm weather team? Teams take long road trips all season long. The cold weather will affect the quality of play, the health of the players, and the comfort of the fans.

Warm weather/indoor teams: Miami, Houston, Texas, Tampa, Milwaukee (retractable roof), San Diego, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle (retractable roof), Arizona, Anaheim, Oakland. That's 13 cities where fans and players can enjoy the early season in comfort. So only two cold-weather teams would have to have home games. It makes so much sense to me.

Opening Day in Philadelphia is usually awful, weather-wise. I remember driving through a snow squall on the way to the ballpark one year. And when Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004, it was 48 degrees, rainy, and windy for the home opener. It was miserable. As a side note, AccuWeather is calling for sunny, windy conditions for the Phils home opener on April 5 with a high of 61. Let's see if that holds.

So baseball schedule folks, do the fans and players a favor. Start the season where it's warm or where there's a roof whenever possible. They're called the boys of summer for a reason.