Like the leaves on treelined streets in Ohio, fall ball adds color to the world of sports fans each autumn often generating new and happy memories.

With the cool breeze of autumn in their midst, fans can enjoy a cheerful mix of tennis, soccer, football, and MLB with basketball ringing in the final season of winter.

Folks in the Midwest start to get stingy with their outdoor time once shorter days and cooler temperatures of the fall arrive. 

However, the hearty fans counter the brisk air starting with a spiced latte, a hot chocolate or hot cider to go along with some popcorn and caramel apples. (Some fine elixirs might accompany these festive fall treats!)

With the perfect temperatures in their midst and the beauty of the season, the spirited fans play or attend as many fall ball events as possible.

Let me share some of my experiences with you: 

Tennis and Pickleball

As the days become shorter, start times begin sooner as tennis and pickleball players sweep the leaves from the courts and rally until the sunset arrives and they can no longer see each other or the ball. Alas, they hear cheers in the distance for the high school girls soccer game that is being played on the field next door. They listen closely to hear the announcer declare the score. The team has won. Love!  

Soccer

In our community, many of the youth begin their athletic careers with soccer. Kindergartners buzz around the ball like a swarm of bees on honey. It is generally pretty entertaining, so the whole family attends. Our dog, Kaiser, a 130-pound Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, loved it most of all, although he thought we were attending the petting zoo because of all the attention he received!

Some of life’s greatest memories begin in little league sports, and I remember my son had his favorite year in third grade – though the team won only one game. The players loved the patient coach and looked forward to learning from him and playing together each week.  This may be one of the most important keys in coaching elementary school children.

Football

Most Americans’ favorite sport, football, begins in the fall. Little league, junior high, high school, college and professional football can keep avid fans busy almost every day of the week!

As a lifelong sports fan, the intensity of attending a football game begins even at the earliest levels. Ideally the cheerleaders and fans chant, the band plays and the players put large numbers on the scoreboard.

Fans are engaged and never lose hope for their beloved teams. As the season progresses to the playoffs, fans sit in frigid 10-degree weather to watch the game. I know it, because I have done it. The faithful will cheer loudly and with all their might until the final down is played. Then they will begin the countdown to next year’s season!

MLB 

For the most devout fans, MLB season begins with spring training in February. If you live in Ohio, attending the season opener for the Cleveland Guardians or the Cincinnati Reds can oftentimes mean sitting in sleet and snow for several hours. The sheer devotion is reserved only for the most dedicated fans, most of whom memorize each player’s batting average and track every ball and strike.

The season is long, but come September, fans have only one goal in mind: Fall Ball in October! This means extending the season and making it to the playoffs. Tracking the last two weeks of the season can be aggravating and seems to require a CPA, since there are so many variables in play while the final standings are realized.

The transition into fall ball in October is typically pretty tame; however, as a team advances in the playoffs fans begin to transition from sweatshirts and windbreakers to puffer jackets and boots. Most love every minute of it just adding to the layers and dread the ending of the season.

Basketball

As fall ball winds down, it gives rise to the great sport of basketball. Generally played indoors beginning in late October, one of the most popular ball sports makes its way onto the scene to rescue ball sports lovers from the soon-to-come frigid temperatures. Basketball fans survive “hibernating” until spring at indoor arenas that provide a variety of stimulating circuit overloads on the court. If your NBA team is a championship contender, this late fall and winter sport can also transition into a spring sport!

Whichever fall ball sports you plan to engage in, enjoy! And remember to bundle up buttercup!

Share your favorite fall ball memories in the Comments section.