SN’s guide to staying sane during boring summer months

Well, dear friends, for better or for worse, summer is here.

Warm weather, plenty of sunshine and ice cold snowballs during the late afternoon – those are some of the pros.

Kids spending time with their friends, the sun not going down until almost 8:30 p.m., and the splashing sound as someone tests their luck with a cannonball at a nearby pool – even more good things the summer yields.

It truly could be argued it’s the best season of the year.

But it doesn’t have my vote and it never has.

You know why?

No sports on TV.

None.

No prep football, no college basketball, no nothing.

All we have is baseball, and although I do love me some MLB, I need some variety every once in a while, you know?

Too much of any one thing is bad for you.

But as always, the situation isn’t as bleak as it seems, and I have some help.

There are things to do and watch during the summer months, one just has to look really hard, because a lot of these things fall under the cracks sometimes.

So behold, the first-ever Summer Guide to staying sane during the summer season.

I know it’s hard, people, but football is almost here, I promise.

SportsNet’s Summer Guide for the

Tri-parish’s average sports fan:

LOCAL THINGS:

1. Catch a Zephyrs’ Game – I know this is baseball and I just swore off baseball above, but there is nothing like seeing something live. And the Z’s are quite a show. Fireworks, hot dogs, beer and baseball – a true recipe for a great evening in NOLA. You can get a ticket to any game you’d like, because the ballpark is usually a ghost town. But don’t let that scare you. The Z’s know how to throw a party and if you’ve never been, you’re missing out on a really good time.

2. 7-7 Prep Football – This is Louisiana and yes, we are behind the times – always. But a few local prep football programs have finally adopted 7-7 drills and will be active all throughout the summer. For those who don’t know what 7-7 is, it’s basically like Arena Football where there are seven offensive players (a quarterback, three offensive linemen, and three receivers) against a defense comprised of three linebackers, three cornerbacks and one safety. Other states have done this for years and the focus is to develop young quarterbacks. If you’re a big fan of running the football, stay home. But if you’re like me and are just starved for any kind of football, call your high school of choice and ask if they are doing 7-7 drills, because it is the closest thing to football we’ll see until August.

3. World Cup Soccer – I know there aren’t many true soccer fans in the Tri-parishes. But this is the WORLD Cup. I emphasize again, the WORLD Cup, so that includes us, too. How often can you say you’re watching a sporting event that literally every other country in the world is paying attention to? The World Cup boasts that type of ratings – with viewing numbers sometimes in the billions. The United States doesn’t have an incredible chance to win the whole thing, but they do have a decent shot to make it to the Quarterfinals or so. Show some American Pride and check out the world’s game – beginning June 11 and lasting all the way until mid July.

4. Instructional Camps – What if you’re busy with work or other things, but are looking for something your kiddo to do? There’s nothing like having some fun while sharpening up your skills at an instructional camp, and the Tri-parish’s have plenty of those to offer during the summer months. For a little slugger, put a call in to Vandebilt or E.D. White, both of which have baseball camps in mid June. For volleyball, try Terrebonne, who is hosting their annual camp in mid July. And basketball? We’ve got them covered, too. Try Houma Christian, who is having their camp this week on June 7. Why not use the time off to prepare your little ones for their upcoming sports seasons?

5. Youth Sports – Aside from the instructional camps, plenty of youth seasons are going on throughout the area. Youth baseball, youth T-ball, AAU basketball are just a few that are getting the kids out of the house and onto the playing fields. It’s always great to watch kids play, you know why? Because they are playing with one goal in mind: to have fun. No money, no signing bonus, no big-time media deal if their team wins – just fun. Go spend an hour at your local park and see some of the little guys and gals play ball. It’s always fun to see those same kids some 10 years later playing the same sports in high school.

I know what you’re saying, because I’m saying it, myself. I miss football, too. But just stick to the things listed above and I promise August will be here before you know it. It will be hard, but we can do this together. See you at the ballpark.