Winter was fun and all, but I think I’m not alone when I say I’m ready for what’s next.

While there have been cool and windy days here in Lower Alabama, a recent trek to Ohio reminded me what winter really feels like.

Let’s just say -15 is a real temperature, and it is real cold.

But late in February, my favorite sign of spring started blossoming across the country — baseball.

Whether it is at the high school, college or professional level, baseball has always been the first sign of winter ’s demise.

At a very early age my Dad made sure I was a Cincinnati Reds fan, just like him.

I remember going to games with him at the Reds’ old park, Riverfront Stadium, and watching players like Pokey Reese, Barry Larkin, Sean Casey and Ken Griffey Jr. round the bases.

And even though the field was covered in synthetic Astroturf, it was the prettiest grass I had ever seen.

Thankfully, the Reds built a new stadium a few years back and they now play on real grass.

It’s a much prettier green.

It’s tough to beat a day at the ballpark with friends and family.

While basketball and football games at the various skill levels are truly entertaining, there is something about spending at day at a baseball game that can’t be beat.

Last season, Rachel and I made the drive to Atlanta and watched the Braves take on the Philadephia Phillies.

It was a humid evening, as most are in Atlanta, but there was no place I would have rather been than high above third base watching the game slowly unfold below.

The traditions and ballpark food found in Atlanta are different than those of Cincinnati, but it was baseball, and that made for a good time.

With a 162-game schedule, baseball is far from a one-season sport.

The Reds started spring training a few weeks ago, played their first spring training game this week, and hopefully won’t be done until they win the World Series this fall.

And while I likely won’t catch a Reds game, I know there is good baseball to be seen in Lower Alabama, too.

Whether it is the Bay Bears, Blue Wahoos or any of the talented local high school teams, it’ll be good to be back at the ballpark this spring.

Jay Sowers is photo editor of Gulf Coast Media. He can be reached at jay@gulfcoastmedia.com.