Coach: September? It's the best time of the year
Maybe it's a little too poetic for the sports section, but throwing caution to the wind like a young quarterback throwing into an experienced secondary, and against all odds, let's give it a try:
"When I flash back to the lovely days of September
Where I've kept some dreams and stories to remember
Something like old streets and avenues to wander
Something like my toys when I was younger
I have a fond belief that September will stay forever
There were many things in September, sweet and tender
Something like love, something like adventure
Something like childhood, something like the rain, like the water"
- Hayet Ben Bada
Nicely described by Hayet Ben Bada (whomever he may be - translator/psychologist?), and thank you Mr. Ben Bada for paying homage to my favorite month, the treasures of which are so plentiful one can barely count thy ways (I may be starting to get the hang of this poetic thing).
Why my love for this last month of the third quarter of the year? What's with the weird infatuation? Maybe because it best combines the start of a new sports season with typically sensational weather featuring non- humidity-induced sunny skies, rare cloudy or raining days, and just a little tinge of cool in the morning and evenings to keep us refreshed and invigorated.
Not to mention the clocks haven't change yet, so we can still fully enjoy the longerish days that allow for so much fun and recreation. Something to offer for everyone in the lovely month of September.
It is the perfect time for the runners and walkers, with the trees and flowers and nature's beauty still in full regalia. No better time to pound the pavement while cruising around to all that Glenview and Northbrook has to offer in the way of parks, trails, hills and neighborhood streets.
Not to be outdone for recreational bragging rights, are the many bicyclers of our community, who also find this is a perfect time to experience the outdoor wonders. For all the reasons explained in the previous paragraphs, the pedal-happy exercisers amongst you can rejoice in this months wonderful offerings. Try some new routes. Experience new paths. But wherever you go, enjoy the sights and the senses as well as those lush September breezes, which will delight you and your pedaling epidermis.
The golfers? To the loyal, endearing, faithful, "lords of the links," who can't seem to get enough of this great game, September is the best! Suddenly tee times are easy to get, the courses more open, and the condition of the greens and fairways near perfect. You can play in the middle of the day without having to wear the big floppy hat to protect against the searing sun and usually finish your round in a quick three hours. Tennis players, ditto many of the comments above, as Glenview and Northbrook courts fill up quickly during this prime time temperature season.
For kids back in school, OK, maybe September is not quite their favorite month for reasons having to do with things like waking up early and homework - just to name a few - but September does mean recess outside for the younger kids. The wondrous free play joys with your friends as you finish your lunch as quickly as possible, so you can get out to your favorite playground activity.
And physical education class? In September? Much better! Open those doors, and watch the children explode into the academic release of running, soccer, flag football, softball, kickball or whatever "unit" the teacher has decried. You can't go wrong with any activity here as long as it is drenched in the beauty of getting out into September's perfectness.
I am not quite done yet, on my ode to September.
This fine month signals the start of so many youth sports and leagues and programs in our communities. Youth soccer, fall baseball, flag football, junior tackle football, volleyball, swimming - whatever the program may be, the excitement of watching kids with their new teams, new teammates and new coaches is invigorating to say the least. Especially fun is watching youngsters getting their uniforms and wearing them for the first time, truly one of the great pleasures a parent can observe. The cheering and noise coming from our weekend playfields, nothing less than pure joy to the open ear.
Not to forget our high school sports fans in this salute to nine months down and three to go, as everyone is excited about the beginning of the new sports season. Coaches, players, parents, and fans experiencing sky high optimism, as the droll and longevity of the long school year have not yet hit. School spirit is cranked to full volume at September's start.
Finally, completing my campaigning for this great month, let us not forget the pro and college sports enthusiasts amongst us? For them, it doesn't get much better than September. Baseball is winding down to its final pennant and division races, while the pressures and tension of October playoff baseball are close by, already knocking at the door. America's most popular sport, football, begins its season in earnest, giving couch potatoes everywhere a fine excuse to waste away a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
I am sure I have forgotten some of the other pleasures of this time of the year. If I left out your favorite activity or sport, my bad. I tried to think of them all, but take solace in the fact that, regardless of my omission, you can still get outdoors and enjoy all the fruits of its labor.
Maybe I should have titled this column, "September Rocks!".
One final thing. After all my wondrous accolades to this beautiful month, it better not be really hot or raining or any other kind of nasty weather on the day this paper comes out for delivery.
That would really "bury the story "as they say in the newspaper business.
Mother Nature wouldn't do that would she?
(Editor's note: September also starts the best time for honeycrisp apples. More evidence for Jon's argument that September is the best month)
• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.