Weather is optimal for baseball players

By Brent Hinckley

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 | 11:50 p.m.

The weather between October and May is the best thing about Southern Nevada.

It's the end of January and the temperature is in the 50s and 60s here. As I'm writing this, it's 16 degrees in Buffalo, N.Y., and 30 degrees in Washington D.C..

The reason for all this is simple. It's the end of January and it's already time to start thinking baseball, namely Little League baseball.

The Boulder City Little League held its tryouts on Jan. 24 ­— there's not too many places that can start little league in January. It's only January and we're already talking baseball. Amazing.

Imagine trying to chase down ground balls or run the bases on a snow-covered field. Fortunately, that's not a problem here.

Southern Nevada has had a high success rate of baseball players advancing to the higher levels of the sport, whether it's college, the minor leagues and occasionally the big league.

One reason for all that success is simple — weather.

Baseball is a year-round sport in Southern Nevada and by giving players so many opportunities to play the game, it only seems logical that a large number will be talented enough to advance their careers.

There are a lot of great coaches and training facilities here, but being able to grab a ball, glove and bat and head to the baseball field in mid-January is an advantage that often gets overlooked.

OVERTIME: It's almost time for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla., and I'll admit I really don't care. I have no rooting interest in either of these teams. I'd be more likely to watch the Sacramento Kings take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is tipping off near the end of the big game.

Now, don't think I'm not a football fan, because I am. I've just moved on.

I will share a prediction — the team that scores the most wins the game. How about the team that plays 110 percent, takes care of the football and executes the game plan will win.

Alright, enough kidding around. Here's my thought — Kurt Warner engineers a last-minute game winning drive and Arizona takes the trophy on a field goal from Neil Rackers.

Cardinals 24, Steelers 21.

Brent Hinckley is the Boulder City News sports writer and can be reached at 990-7822 or [email protected].