After four long, grueling months of emptiness, it is back. It is finally back. Pitchers and catchers, as well as full position players have reported to spring training, exhibition games will commence, and baseball fever has begun to take over St Louis.

Coming off of four straight postseason appearances, including two National League Championships and one World Series title, the Cardinals come into spring training with excitement and high expectations.

And wouldn’t you know it, the Cardinals will be a part of the Major League Baseball season opener for a night game in Chicago on April 5th. Opening Day. The true first day of spring.

Growing up a die-hard Cardinals fan, I personally see no better way to start the spring off right than Opening Day. Baseball-crazy towns fill their stadiums to watch the greatest sport known to man begin its season. Is there anything better?

Now for the issue at hand: school is in session on Opening Day. No, that was not a typo. Also, Opening Day apparently doesn’t deserve to be dubbed a “National Holiday.” America, you are telling me that a groundhog seeing its shadow every year deserves national recognition, but America’s pastime doesn’t?

Yes, this issue was petitioned last year (by a St Louisan, no less) but nothing came of it. Everyone has seemed to forget about it, but it needs to be brought back up.

I’m not saying school needs to be off for this, because a lot of holidays aren’t. I’m just asking for the national recognition of America’s favorite day of the year.

I can think of no better way to bring our country together. I mean, our President throws out the first pitch. How much more patriotic can you get? I for one will be watching intently, and school has little importance to a beginning to something as special as this. Wouldn’t you agree?

Opening Day, in my opinion, needs to be a country-wide day off. Opening Day needs as much hype and recognition as Christmas. You are not a true baseball fan, nor a true American if you say otherwise. But hey, this is just my two cents.