It’s hard to feel bad about the world during a week like this. That’s because spring training has begun. As you read this, position players (that’s what they call non-pitchers or catchers) are reporting to major league training camps in Arizona and Florida. (Pitchers and catchers showed up last week.)

The news from Washington (D.C.) and the Middle East may be dismal, but the Mariners are tied for first. So are the Cubs and the Mets. Hope “springs” eternal, as the “Cactus” and “Grapefruit” Leagues begin play next week.

Even if you don’t like baseball (seriously?), the coming of spring can’t help but lift your spirits.

“Spring training” begins next week at high schools in the Touchet Valley too, as baseball, softball and track teams at WP and Dayton begin practice. Dayton’s golf team is also being resurrected this year, and players will hit the links soon.

Fall and winter sports are also on our minds this week. As we report in the sports section, the Dayton girls’ basketball team enters play in the Class 2B state tournament this weekend. A win Saturday will advance them to the final rounds at the Spokane Arena the first weekend in March.

Also, several Waitsburg-Prescott football players were named to the Associated Press for their performances this year. Both teams had winning seasons and moved well into the playoffs.

Watching sports and following our favorite teams is a great way to welcome the coming of spring. But there’s an even better way, as I was reminded when I read Dena Wood’s story on “Hoops for Heart.”

Kids in Waitsburg raised over $3,000 last week for the American Heart Association, and had a great time doing it. (See Page 9.) As they shot hoops, or spun hula-hoops, they were learning that physical exercise is not only fun, but also important for health.

We adults already understand that lesson, but most of us think of exercise as drudgery, rather than fun. That’s wrong. We need to take a lesson from all those kids out there playing sports and raising money for heart health.

As spring rolls in, it’s time to get outside and move. We can have fun, and feel healthier too!