Telegraph Sports Reporter Tom KIng.

If you haven’t noticed lately, spring has sprung.

And what a difference a year makes.

Sure, we are still fighting through a pandemic – just ask the University of New Hampshire football team, which this past week said “no mas,” and shelved the rest of its spring schedule thanks to COVID-related issues.

But the high schools, including all those in the area, forge ahead.

A year ago, Stellos Stadium was empty all day and empty and dark by nightfall, tennis courts went unused, baseball fields were growing weeds in the infield and outdoor tracks were used for adult exercise (if anyone could get on them), with no competitions. Softball fields were dustbowls.

That’s changed. Stellos has been busy with lacrosse practices. Local diamonds are being used.

On Monday, Holman Stadium should be open for Merrimack-North baseball, and is slated to be used this weekend (Sunday) for Rivier University baseball. And the Raiders also have had to play the pandemic pause game, postponing the start of what season they can have for two weeks.

Just another reminder of what we are still fighting.

And, of course, you know there will be other reminders throughout the spring, even while vaccinations continue. That’s because the cases continue. We’ll see a few high school teams shut down for two weeks, put on pandemic pause.

But the key here is, most of the events are outdoors, which helps. It also eases the minds of athletic directors all over the area – and the state – as they couldn’t wait for the winter and all the 90 percent (save for the skiers) indoor activity to end.

It was managed beautifully, and we expect the spring to be the same. And it will be an interesting spring. Numbers are down with Nashua North and South baseball teams, and that may be a continuation of what had been happening the last few years. Baseball in Nashua needs a boost.

The local pods remain for most sports, and you play your way out with the open tournaments. That will help Nashua North and South softball, which have not played in the post season in eons. Teams like Campbell and Wilton-Lyndeborough will be playing a lot of games a division above because of the regional setup, but that will make them tougher in their sports.

Teams on the diamonds are scheduled to play anywhere from 15 to 18 games. Lacrosse teams on average, 14 to 16 games. Tennis teams are hoping to get 14 matches in.

And let’s not forget spring track. Track athletes practiced all winter to prep for this spring after there were no sites to really hold more than a couple of dual meets. Hey, there’s even word that Curtis Harris-Lopez may compete for North, so his high school athletic career may not be done after all. Titans coach Art Kobs is tough to say no to. We’ve tried.

And, like the fall, there will be one indoor sport – volleyball, this time the boys version, but only three schools field teams – Souhegan, Hollis Brookline and Bishop Guertin.

So, here we go. A much different 2021. But we still have the reminders of staying safe; most athletes will be masked, etc. This has to be treated like the previous two seasons or there will be teams that won’t make it to the finish line.

Happy spring. A much happier spring, to be sure.

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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