There was nothing bad about the brilliant moon rising over Monday’s widespread preseason practice for Colorado high school sports in 2008-09.
It was all good at 12:01 a.m., just after midnight, when Legacy Lightning softball hopefuls, preparing to defend their Class 5A crown, were at Broomfield Industrial Park amid the special expectation only a new season brings.
Along with getting a taste of Colorado — which included a chilly, late-night breeze, intermittent rain, pesky sprinklers going off in the outfield and, fittingly, lightning in the distance — Legacy took to the field for the first available minute.
The Denver area joined the Rocky Mountains and Eastern Plains in officially welcoming the return of fall sports for an 88th straight year.
It was a interesting time for everything from confirming paperwork to being issued gear, receiving instructions and repeatedly hearing the question, “What’s your name?”
With thousands readying to compete, the array included Grandview’s football players, who were getting used to defending their big-school title, to Bear Creek’s gymnasts, the 2007 champions, who had to wait for a go-ahead after an earlier fire had damaged the school.
Boys tennis and softball can begin the regular season this week. Others (football, cross country, field hockey, gymnastics, boys soccer and volleyball) have to wait until Aug. 28.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
