Spring Seems So Far Away

January is a tough month for Major League Baseball. The players have had a good month or two off depending on when their respective seasons ended and they're starting to get that pre-Spring Training itch to get out there and play. Fans - not unlike all of us on MLBlogosphere - are feeling the full effects of baseball-withdraw and beginning to lash out at each other.

My girlfriend is a psychology major and she told me about a recent report on "winter-depression" that Americans suffer from around this time of year. It seems the human psyche is effected by the amount of sunlight we receive on a daily basis, and as the daylight of the winter season becomes shorter and shorter, we become more and more depressed.

The solution: More light!

This study reminds me of what we on the 'sphere' are suffering from this wintery season. I live on the east-coast in Reading, PA and we have been experiencing record-low temperatures. Tuesday night we had a high of 10°F and a -2°F wind-chill.  That's cold enough to make anyone forget about the green grass and the boys of summer.

So if the solution to "winter-depression" is more sunlight, perhaps the solution to winter baseball-withdraw" is more baseball. Unfortunately they don't make special incandescent light bulbs that make us feel like we're at the ballpark, but at the very least, I think we can all perk up our baseball spirits a bit with a few old-fashioned remedies.

1.       WEAR YOUR TEAM GEAR WHEREVER YOU GO!

Now, maybe I'm a little biased because my team just won the world series, but I still wear my 'MLB Playoffs' sweatshirt and 'NLCS Champions' wherever I go. No matter where I am, I am reminded of baseball and my favorite team.

My suggestion to us Northeasterners is to buy some winter team gear - a beanie or a jacket perhaps - and make sure you wear it every time you go out to shovel the driveway or pick up the mail.

    2.       GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

It may ne early yet, but it's never too soon to get your tickets. Personally, I already have my opening day tickets to watch the Phils get their Championship rings. No, this idea won't make opening day come any faster, but it will give you something to look forward to doing. All you teenage girls can start making red 'X's' on your calendars until the big day arrives and start crafting your puffy paint 'Grady Sizemore' t-shirts.

3.       PLAY GOLF, AMERICA!

Ok. Maybe those of us who are being bombarded by arctic storms can't take part in this idea, but those of you who live in warmer climates have the opportunity to get out on the links and play a game that is a little bit like baseball. There's green grass, a few bunkers that can be confused for an infield and while the rest of your four-some is looking away you can call your shot over the left field fence.

Many of your favorite major leaguers take advantage of the same opportunity.

Chipper Jones

John Smoltz

Jason Varitek
Derek Jeter