THIS WINTRY SPRING

The Spring of 2013 is playing out like the classic Saturday Night Live skit "The Thing That Wouldn't Leave," about a guest that never gets the hint that the party is over. But metro-area coaches don't mind talking about it. When the Star Tribune asked them to offer their thoughts, we received 136 e-mail responses. Here is a selection:

• On winter's continuous grip: "It's chaotic, almost comical." — Andy Forbort, St. Francis track and field

• On making tough choices: "The priority for rescheduling games will go to the varsity program and there are no promises that games for younger players will be rescheduled." — Brian Wright, Breck baseball

• On cost restrictions: "Teams being hurt the most are the schools without deep pockets to train or use a dome." — Jim Hanson, Bloomington Kennedy softball

• On the expected busy final month of the season: "Take care of your schoolwork now, for there will be demands upon your time very soon." — Paul Bailey, Mounds View golf

• On team bonding: "The hilarity … of the situation is creating a bond amongst the players. But then again, ask me at the end of May. I may have a different opinion after they've spent every waking minute together." — Erin Brown, Cooper softball

• Wishful thinking: "Since we are skipping April outside this year, we should go outside to a warmer and more pleasant May, right?" — Troy Urdahl, St. Anthony baseball

JIM PAULSEN