October

When I was young, I never could decide on a favorite sport. Baseball, Basketball, Football. Football, Baseball, Basketball. Basketball, Football, Baseball.

I absolutely loved basketball practices, when you exited a sweaty gym into cold, empty darkness. Your breath permeated the space in front of you, as your lungs gasped for sharp, biting air. The gym was an escape from the blustery winter days that kept you from playing outside. Basketball was a haven, an insulated realm from the rest of the world.

But as Spring arrived and lazy summer days approached, there really was no feeling quite like baseball. The smell of freshly cut grass mixed with lively infield chatter and a murmur from the stands can bring a smile to any Little Leaguer's face. Or the relaxing game of catch just before the sun sets, when an errant throw lost in the bushes would become a hidden treasure for another day. And the sounds. There was nothing quite like the satisfying smack of horsehide hitting leather, or the triumphant crack of bat meeting ball.

And as the dog days of summer passed and daylight dwindled, there was football. Football on dried up fields, with yellow, prickly, dehydrated grass. Football on soaked up fields, the very same sod flooded with rainwater and gigantic mud patches. If basketball was an insulated bubble from the torments of winter, football was the celebration of nature's wrath. Foreboding skies mirrored belligerent trash talk. Incessant rainfall characterized aggressive hits. And the brief glimpses of sunshine coincided with the spectacular play, the display of grace and beauty in a game otherwise marred by sludge.

You can see why it was so difficult to determine which sport was my favorite. All three brought a unique environment to the table. In the perfect world, all three would coexist at the same time. Which brings me to October.

There is one month when it all comes together. A month when it's time to anticipate new beginnings, trot out the basketballs, lace up the shoes, and hit the hardwood. A month when baseball reaches its pinnacle, as six-month, 162-game schedules are thrown out the window and the fate of 180 days worth of hard work comes to fruition in an abbreviated best of seven series. A month when Saturdays and Sundays celebrate the most popular of American sports, and 18-40 year olds leave it all out on the gridiron for the shot at victory.

So for you, the sports fan, this is your month. Live it up. Read up on your favorite squad and be prepared for a season of high-flying dunks, sharpshooting threes, and hard-nosed D. Curl up with a blanket and watch the magic of playoff baseball unfold in front of your eyes, as new legends script performances to be etched eternally in postseason lore. And finally, enjoy the football fan experience, as your weekends are exclusively reserved for tailgates with friends and family, TV viewing parties between like fans, and Monday Morning Quarterbacking your team's performance.

October.