Heads and tales: Sports and leisure

swim The strokes: Many Birmingham-area natives have fond memories of spending their blazing hot carefree days growing up at the neighborhood pool. What better way to get out of Mom and Dad’s hair for a few hours while getting in some play time and exercise? Sadly, cities in Jefferson County are operating fewer pools, thanks to costs and liability issues. Those cities are Birmingham (17 pools), Fairfield, Homewood (two pools), Hoover, Leeds, Trussville and Vestavia Hills. Guess that leaves sneaking into apartment complexes, joining the Y or moonlight swims at the McMansions for us …
• While still a hit with residents, city pools prove costly to keep [Birmingham News]

Pay to win: Together, Alabama and Auburn spent more than $100 million on athletics. Was it worth it? Both ended up in the middle of the SEC when it came to overall championships, as well as spending. Florida, Georgia and Tennessee spent $65 million each and were ranked in the Top Three. See, it’s not whether you win or lose — it’s how (much) you pay (for) the game.
• Biggest spenders top SEC rankings [Birmingham News]

bartram trail Delta shelter: Thanks for Forever Wild, the state’s land conservation program, paddlers have a place to play and explore. The Bartram Canoe Trail, a 200-mile canoe and kayak trail, is ready for visitors in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, just north of Mobile. The trail is one of the longest in the nation in the second-largest river delta in the nation. Paddlers can choose from day trips or overnight trips. Said one kayaker, “There is really quite a racket, from water and land fowl. You get a real concert going there.” Music to our ears.
• Canoeing in Alabama’s rich delta [Birmingham News]

Pro or con: Can Alabama survive one more minute without pro football, even as other Southern states reap the benefits (and costs)? Is college ball enough? And why does the writer mention only the Stallons, forgetting the misbegotten Americans, Birmingham Vulcans, Alabama Vulcans, Alabama Magic, Fire, Barracudas and ‘Bolts? So many questions, so little interest.
• Football-crazed Alabama doing just fine without NFL’s presence [USA Today]

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