Bears just might be smarter than we are. I mean, hibernating -- great idea, right? During the lousiest of weather, bears are straight zonked out. Come springtime they wake up skinny, refreshed and ready for action. We fogbound coastal humans, on the other hand, insist on staying conscious through the bleak seasons, with diminishing returns: As the drizzly months wear on, our bodies use up all their serotonin -- the "happiness hormone" -- until we're slogging through life, half-zombified with seasonal affective disorder.

On the bright side, descending to such depths triggers a tremendous slingshot effect. When the sun finally does emerge? Hoo boy, we catch us a raging case of Spring Fever. Around here, there are two time-honored ways to celebrate. The Kinetic (whatever we're legally supposed to call it) and opening day of another Crabs baseball season. Here we go Crabbies, here we go!

This is the 67th consecutive year on the diamond for our beloved crustaceans, making them the oldest continuously operating summer collegiate baseball team in the country. For my money, there's no better way to spend a sunny afternoon in Arcata than with a hot dog in one hand, a frosty beer in the other and the World Famous Crab Grass Band in my ear holes. Oh, and the baseball game, of course.

Want to meet the players? Friday night at the Arcata Community Center, Humboldt Crabs Baseball and The City of Arcata present the season-opening dinner, with a no-host social hour starting at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and younger and can be purchased at the video counter in all Ray's Food Place stores, or at Arcata City Hall. There will be a silent auction, and all proceeds go toward improvements at the Arcata Ball Park.

The Crabs officially emerge from their hibernation on Saturday, with a doubleheader against the Fairfield Indians. The first game starts at 12:30 p.m. followed by an evening game at 7. Tickets, available at the field or a variety of local outlets, are a steal (geddit?) at $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and $4 for children 12 and younger.

Sa-wing, batta-batta-batta, swing!