By By Adam Robinson – Sports Editor
With the dawn of every new day, sports teams in our area inch their way to the start of the 2008-2009 athletic practices and game season.
While they are still yet a couple of days away from the first date set for the first practice of the 2008-2009 season here are the dates for the fall sports from the Alabama High School Athletic Association:
Volleyball:
The first practice for the 2008-2009 volleyball season begins July 31 with the first contest of the year beginning on August 21 and the season ending on October 30. The end of the season for junior high or middle school teams are October 6.
Football:
The first practice for varsity football will begin August 4 and the first contest being August 28. The first practice date is kind of weird this season as that will be on a Monday and will be only two days of practice before school starts on Wednesday August 6 this year.
The end of the football season will be December 6. Junior high and Middle school football can begin on the same date as varsity but will end on November 8.
Cross Country:
Cross Country teams will also begin practice on August 4 with their first contest beginning August 28 and ending November 8 for varsity and October 18 for Middle school.
For winter sports, basketball is our only area winter sports, as we do not have wrestling teams in the area.
Basketball:
Basketball sports consist of boys and girls varsity and middle school. Varsity can begin their first practice on October 13 as Middle school can begin on September 15. First contest dates are set for November 3 for varsity sports and October 6 for Middle school with the end of the season stopping on February 28 for varsity and February 14 for Middle school.
Spring sports in the area count as boys and girl's tennis, softball, baseball, golf, and outdoor track.
Tennis:
All three tennis teams in boys, girls, and middle school can begin practice on January 19 and the boys and girl's varsity can end on February 9 with middle school ending on February 16. Seasons end on May 1 for boys and girls and April 18 for middle school.
Softball:
Varsity softball can begin on January 26 along with middle school players and the first contest will be February 16 for both. Seasons end May 16 and May 2 for varsity and middle school respectively.
Baseball:
Baseball teams in the area can begin on January 26 and begin games on February 16 and end on May 16.
Golf:
Boys and girls golf can begin on February 2 and play their first contest on February 16 and end on May 12.
Outdoor track:
Last but not least is outdoor track. Track teams can begin on January 23 with practice and have their first meets on February 13 and end on May 2.