Saying this could get me in a bit of trouble, but I think I’m starting to agree with the Northerners.

Sure, there’s plenty to disagree with Yankees about.

Grits, for instance — they’ve never heard of them. What Southern breakfast would be complete without a steaming pile of grits?

Sweet tea is another point of argument. Every time you read some story from someone making his first visit to the South, you hear about his first experience with sweet tea.

But while we clearly have the upper hand on that, Wednesday afternoon showed me they at least have the right idea on one thing.

Sitting at Chester Willis Field in near-freezing weather in a press box with no heat and virtually no insulation, I came to the conclusion that maybe all those Big 10 and Big East schools that have spent the past few years complaining about the start time of college baseball might be on to something.

For the past five years or so, at least one story surfaces with some athletic director or conference commissioner complaining that college baseball’s start time — early to mid-February — puts schools in the SEC and PAC 10 at a distinct advantage.

Poor weather prevents them from playing many of their scheduled games early in the season, and they generally find themselves a bit outmatched when coming down to warmer climates for games.

I’ve always thought they were just whiners.

Not anymore.

With fans, coaches, players and, most importantly, me shivering for nearly three hours, no one is having a very good time, especially in a game that winds up 12-0, as Alcorn’s loss to Southeastern Louisiana wound up Wednesday.

Perhaps we should push baseball back a bit. It likely wouldn’t hurt anyone in college or high school to miss two weeks of games. Money could be saved on rainouts and visits to the pharmacy for cold medicine, as I’m sure many of the brave few who stuck out Wednesday’s game have needed in the last 24 hours.

I’m sure there have been games played in colder weather, and I’m sure there will be plenty more played in much worse conditions, but sports are about having fun, and that kind of weather is just no good.

But hey, if there’s one sport where the South has a clear advantage before things even come out of the gate, it’s baseball. And as far as I’m concerned, any advantage we can get on those uppity Northerners is a good one.

Next time I’ll just remember to bring my gloves.

Tim Cottrell is the sports editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached by phone at 601-445-3632 or by e-mail at tim.cottrell@natchezdemocrat.com.