Winter may be sticking around late, but college athletes have already been hard at work in their spring sports for some time. Come May 17, we’ll get a dazzling display of that right here in Eau Claire at the NCAA Division III Women’s Softball Championship, which will be held in Carson Park. The weekend-long championship alternates between a number of venues and has landed in Eau Claire before, most recently in 2010 and 2002. The UW-Eau Claire Blugolds have shown themselves off a bit in recent history as well, winning the 2008 tourney (and are ranked number 25 in the nation coming into this year’s championship). The weekend is inexpensive considering the quality of play, with full passes at $30 and single games at only $10. And what else makes you think of summer more than being out in the sun, eating some snacks, and watching some ball games? Maybe the tournament (and some of the Southern teams) can ensure the nice spring weather remains.

NCAA Division III Women’s Softball Championship • May 17-21 • Gelein Field, Carson Park, Eau Claire • single games: $10, weekend pass: $30