Before assists can trigger double plays on the diamond or set up breathtaking goals on the pitch, Sauk Valley athletes need some assistance from Mother Nature.

After just a handful of games were canceled or postponed last spring, the number of games washed away could be matched by the end of March this go-round.

According to weather.gov, the sun could make multiple appearances over the next few days, but – for the moment – Monday's forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of snow showers. The best recipe for snow removal is sunshine and wind.