WESSON — Wednesday’s giant slalom race at the Wolf Hollow GolfClub was canceled due to a lack of snow. It was cold enough to snowbut the weather didn’t cooperate.

Back to reality, the Copiah-Lincoln Community College baseballand softball teams launched their respective 2007 seasonsyesterday. It felt like playing on a frozen tundra but the airtemperature was above freezing. However, the wind chill factor wasbelow 32 degrees yesterday afternoon, despite some rays of sunshinebreaking through the clouds.

“This feels like hunting weather,” said one shivering softballfan as he tugged the zipper on his jacket closer to his neck. Hewas dressed in camouflage hunting gear from head to foot.

Hunters know how to dress for freezing weather. Parked on a deerstand for several hours, the cold becomes unbearable. Fingers andtoes lose their feeling. Ears burn like they’re on fire. The noseruns like a leaking water faucet.

One woman, obviously a mother of one of the players, knew how tocombat the frigid conditions. She brought a portable keroseneheater with her, placing it close to her feet on the aluminumbleaches. She was wrapped in a heavy blanket and wearing one ofthose Yankee winter coats, along with calf-high boots.

Hot chocolate was the most popular item at the concession stand.Some Wendy’s chili would have hit the spot, too.

Shiver me timbers!

A day earlier, afternoon temps had flirted with 70 degrees. Ifyou don’t like the winter weather in Mississippi, be patient. Itcan change overnight.

To their credit, both Co-Lin teams put their best foot forward.The Lady Wolves fastpitch softball team had enjoyed its greatestcampaign in 2006, winning the state/regional tournament titles andadvancing to the NJCAA nationals where they placed third.

Co-Lin coach Allen Kent was pleased to present his sophomoreteam members with championship rings. It was a proud moment asCo-Lin president Dr. Howell Garner conducted the ring ceremony.

The Hinds Community College Lady Eagles did their best to spoilthe opening day celebration by winning the opener. Certainly, Hindslooks like a title contender, especially with pitcher LaurenJohnson on the mound.

Co-Lin freshman pitcher Kayla Crochet collected the first hit ofthe season in the bottom of the first inning. Her single dropped inbehind the shortstop.

Sophomore Erin Douglas claimed Co-Lin’s first extra base hit ofthe season, a second-inning, leadoff triple down the right fieldline. However, she was left stranded at third base, providing anomen of things to come.

The wind was howling over at Sullivan Field, too. It felt alittle colder because Co-Lin’s baseball opponent, Coahoma CommunityCollege, was late arriving. The noon opener with Delgado (La.) hadbeen canceled and the Coahoma game was moved from 5:30 to 1p.m.

Ninety minutes later, Co-Lin starter Joseph Langham wasdelivering the first pitch for Coach Keith Case’s Wolfpack. Langhamwas making his first appearance since taking a medical redshirt in2006.

Several Major League Baseball scouts were present for the game,plus some college coaches. Wesson native Clay Smith, a BelhavenCollege assistant, flashed that famous grin when we met. Yes, hewas looking for players to help Coach Hill Denson build anothertitle contender.

At the plate, Co-Lin’s first hit of the season came complimentsof leadoff batter Montez Chatman, a speedy freshman outfielder fromMagee. Chatman beat out a grounder behind second base butaggravated a hamstring injury and had to leave the game.

Hope that’s not an omen. Baseball players and coaches arenotorious for being superstitious.

There was only one vehicle parked at the Wolf Hollow club house.Obviously, there were a lot of tee times available on a chillyday.

Saw one golf cart with one hearty golfer aboard go scootingalong the 16th fairway behind the left field fence. He must havebeen a migrating Yankee who was proud to be in Mississippi, even ona cold afternoon.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com