Clubhouse Chatter: What are you missing most about covering spring sports?

What I miss most is writing about the games. That's what I prefer and why I got into the business. I enjoy detailing the action of the event and then getting comments from the winners and losers. Then it's back to the laptop to write up the story. I enjoy that routine and miss it (except for the tight deadlines!)

- John Leusch

I miss being outside, the sun on my face, layered in cold-weather gear. I miss telling stories, finding them, talking to athletes who just did something outstanding (4 for 4, 10 Ks in 5 IP, game-winning hit), getting to know them. I miss the parent standing at the backstop, videotaping his kid's at-bat. I miss rolling my eyes when a fan sitting down the first-base line yells at the ump, insisting the last pitch hit the corner. I miss the first pitch, the final out, and everything in between.

- Joe Aguilar

Covering Huntley and St. Charles East softball. They played each other for last year's Class 4A state championship, and they both return their pitchers and several key players from that game. I couldn't wait to see how far those two teams could go again.

- John Lemon

By February, I start to get a little claustrophobic. I love basketball but I'm just being honest about the longest season of the school year. It drags a bit. While covering baseball in the spring can be as cold as a Bears game in December, there's still nothing quite like getting back outside again. I love sitting in my chair and settling in to watch a ballgame. All I ask is first-pitch strike, please.

- Kevin Schmit