April 1 with its near-freezing temperature was the opening day for the Twins as they played against the Detroit Tigers. "The Twins lost 4-2 in the earliest outdoor season home opener in team history. The cold may have slowed the Twins batters, but many fans didn't seem to mind the chilly weather." Hopefully the rest of the season will be much warmer!

See the MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League) for all the details.

It's no surpise that the Minnesota State High School League site is filled with rules governing high school sports. It's also a fun place for personal insight into coaches, teams, and athletes throughout the state. See John's Journal. I liked the January 6 post about the defeated Sioux Falls boys basketball team helping the Marshall team re-set their gym (what class!), and the January 11 story about the Waconia alpine racer.

If you want to get in better shape, check out the Active Minnesota website to find events for your favorite sports and activities. Or, go to YouTube to practice some new dance moves. My new favorite is Happy Feet Like to Move it. Either way, you'll be stronger and better able to handle stress.

Soccer is generally recognized as the world's most popular sport, but professional soccer has trouble drawing Minnesota fans. Average attendance for Stars games is fewer than 3000. Can the new owner fix that? Follow soccer news to see how it goes.

During the recent strike by NFL referees, the use of substitutes led to a dramatic increase in the number of controversial calls. What if the NHL sidestepped its lockout of players by using substitutes? It would be an opportunity for players who weren't currently playing for the league. Is any hockey better than no hockey? To follow your favorite college and prep school teams, follow the college and high school links on the left.

Minnesota Viking punter Chris Kluwe made headlines with his defense of Raven Brendon Ayanbadjo's comments about gay marriage. Maryland Delegate Emmett C. Burns, Jr. proclaimed that political views have "no place in a sport" as he urged the Ravens to silence Ayanbadjo. What do you think, should pro athletes be allowed to express their opinions about public policy issues?

Check all the great links on our High School Sports page to follow your favorite team. (I'd tell you who I root for, but you might be stung or throw cake!)

Need a bike? You can earn one at Cycles for Change. Send an email to angie@cyclesforchange.org today, and you could have a bike long before it's cold. Be fit, be green, what's not to like?

Swimming's mine. The athletes are so strong, they don't swim in the water, they fly over it! Check the countdown to July 27 on the London2012 web page, and get a feeling for the British pre-competiton events. Or,check teamusa to get the inside scoop on our athletes.It will add some perspective to the 3500 hours of competition you can start watching on the 27th.

Whatever your sport, improving your fitness level will improve your performance.Summer is a great time for trying something new, cross-training for varsity sports. If you're new to running, try a couch to 5k plan. You'll return to school fitter and faster, and with a new T-shirt!

Time to get air in those tires,  find your helmet, and add this Hennepin County site to your favorites. You'll find maps, other route mapping tools, and information about NiceRide Minnesota, the bike sharing program.

Hope those tree-patterned windows are strong! (Just kidding.) Check out this free exhibit, running April 9-June 15, and the panel discussion April 10 at 7pm by baseball historians and authors. On April 15, we commemorate the day Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. The library’s got many books about Mr. Robinson and his accomplishments.

Now's the time to start training for spring and summer sports. What's your goal this year? Registering for a May race could help you start training now. 

Get the latest from the official NCAA website.

Circle the downtown Metrodome five times, and you'll go two miles. You can run, rollerblade or walk your dog inside the concourse during special events for $1-5. That's a lot less than Vikings tickets and you get the exercise! Find details on the Metrodome events calendar.