Pads, mitts and drafts in April

By Cecile Nguyen

April is the best month ever.

Not only are we finally getting over the dreary weather of the winter season, but April is one of the busiest months of the year for sports fans.

There's just so many things to keep track of: baseball, the football draft and hockey and basketball playoffs.

The Major League Baseball season is now barely a few weeks old.

I just love the start of a season. There is so much promise and hopefulness exuding from all the teams and fans alike.

There's a sense of hopefulness among fans that perhaps this will finally be the year that their team gets its act together and reaches its potential.

It's the time of year that even fans of the Kansas City Royals, who are currently floating above .500, can be optimistic about their season.

And have you taken a look at the MLB standings recently?

It's like everything is flipped upside down.

The Seattle Mariners, who were the American League's worst team last season, lead the AL West, while the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of the world sit at the bottom out West.

The NFL is also preparing for its entry draft on April 25.

With the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers in their usual cellar dweller positions, it's typically rather exciting here in the Bay Area as everyone is putting in their two cents as to who either team should chose with their high pick.

Oakland owns the seventh overall pick, while the 49ers have the tenth pick overall.

We are also a couple of games into the NBA playoffs.

Actually, I don't really know what's going on with basketball. I'm way too preoccupied with the other stuff going on in the sports world.

NHL playoffs are underway also. Now this is really exciting stuff.

Anyone see the Carolina Hurricanes' game-winning goal with 0.2 seconds remaining in game three against Marty Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils Tuesday?

One word: amazing.

The Canes' Jussi Jokinen's juicy goal was the latest regulation game-winning goal in NHL history.

If your favorite teams didn't make it to the postseason glory don't fret. You can still be involved in the playoffs by partaking in the annual band-wagoning on other team's success.

So much to watch, so little time. I guess I can say goodbye to any chance of doing my homework for the next month or so.

Regardless, happy April!