Sporting Frenzy

This is one of those weird, fun weekends when the sporting world offers up one of its better days of the year, particularly for those like me with, let's say, eclectic interests. The NCAA men's basketball tournament, of course, is the colossus that stands astride the sports landscape. The first weekend, packed as it is with 48 games, in which the rarely seen pure joy of sport makes an appearance every once in a while, is probably the best time for the casual fan. In that many games, there is bound to be a fun one or two (as Oregon found out, nearly to their regret). Plus, the now-mandatory filling out of tournament brackets has created perhaps the most effective vehicle for non-fans to experience the fun of following a particular sports team. Pick a team to win, for any reason at all, and you suddenly have a rooting interest. There's nothing quite like pulling hard for Winthrop (who?) to beat Notre Dame, believe me.

Since you asked, yes, my brackets are doing quite well. Historically well, actually. 28 out of 32 correct picks on one sheet, and 27 out of 32 on two others. It has helped that nearly all of the favorites have won.

In addition to basketball, the 12 Hours of Sebring, a venerable and important sports car race, is now underway. More importantly, the Formula One season kicks off this evening with the Grand Prix of Australia. It looks like this will be the most interesting season in years, now that Michael Schumacher has retired. Two-time defending champion Fernando Alonso has left Renault to join super-rookie Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, which seems to be back on form. Always quick Kimi Raikkonen has filled Schumacher's place at Ferrari, and has shown the expected speed. BMW Sauber appear ready to join the ranks of the elite teams, Renault is off the pace, and last year's comic relief, Super Aguri, is dominating the works cars of its patron, Honda.

Um, is anyone still here?

Did I mention that there is a full slate of English Premier League soccer games on as well?

And that I also have drafts for two different fantasy baseball teams today?

Okay, that should have eliminated everyone else. To the couch I go.